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Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.2. Last change: 2008 Nov 27
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00003112. Textlock |textlock|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000032
33{Vi does not have any of these commands}
34
35==============================================================================
361. Variables *variables*
37
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000039 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000040There are six types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000042Number A 32 bit signed number. |expr-number| *Number*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000043 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
44
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000045Float A floating point number. |floating-point-format| *Float*
46 {only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
47 Examples: 123.456 1.15e-6 -1.1e3
48
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000049String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000050 |expr-string| Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000051
52Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
53 Example: function("strlen")
54
55List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
56 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000057
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000058Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
59 value. |Dictionary|
60 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
61
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000062The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
63are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000064
65Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
66the Number. Examples: >
67 Number 123 --> String "123"
68 Number 0 --> String "0"
69 Number -1 --> String "-1"
70
71Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
72to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
73the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
74 String "456" --> Number 456
75 String "6bar" --> Number 6
76 String "foo" --> Number 0
77 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
78 String "0100" --> Number 64
79 String "-8" --> Number -8
80 String "+8" --> Number 0
81
82To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
83 :echo "0100" + 0
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +000084< 64 ~
85
86To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different
87base, use |str2nr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000088
89For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
90
91Note that in the command >
92 :if "foo"
93"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
94use strlen(): >
95 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000096< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
97List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000098
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000099 *E805* *E806* *E808*
100When mixing Number and Float the Number is converted to Float. Otherwise
101there is no automatic conversion of Float. You can use str2float() for String
102to Float, printf() for Float to String and float2nr() for Float to Number.
103
104 *E706* *sticky-type-checking*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000105You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
106to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000107equivalent though, as well are Float and Number. Consider this sequence of
108commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000109 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000110 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000111 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error! l is still a Number
112 :let l = 4.4 " changes type from Number to Float
113 :let l = "string" " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000114
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000115
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001161.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000117 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000118A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000119in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
120around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000121
122 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
123 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000124< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000125A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:", "t:" or "b:". You
126cannot have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000127
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000128A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
129Dictionary entry. Example: >
130 :function dict.init() dict
131 : let self.val = 0
132 :endfunction
133
134The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
135function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
136
137A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
138 :call Fn()
139 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000140
141The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000142 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143
144You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
145arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000146 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000147
148
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001491.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000150 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000151A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000152can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000153position in the sequence.
154
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000155
156List creation ~
157 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000158A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000159Examples: >
160 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
161 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000162
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000163An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000164List of Lists: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000165 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000166
167An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
168
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000169
170List index ~
171 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000172An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000173after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
174 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000175 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000176
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000177When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000178 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000179<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000180A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
181the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000182 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
183
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000184To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000185is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000186 :echo get(mylist, idx)
187 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
188
189
190List concatenation ~
191
192Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
193 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000194 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000195
196To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
197it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
198
199
200Sublist ~
201
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000202A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
203separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000204 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000205
206Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000207similar to -1. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000208 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
209 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
210 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000211
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000212If the first index is beyond the last item of the List or the second item is
213before the first item, the result is an empty list. There is no error
214message.
215
216If the second index is equal to or greater than the length of the list the
217length minus one is used: >
Bram Moolenaar9e54a0e2006-04-14 20:42:25 +0000218 :let mylist = [0, 1, 2, 3]
219 :echo mylist[2:8] " result: [2, 3]
220
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000221NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000222using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000223mylist[s : e].
224
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000225
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000226List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000227 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000228When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
229variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
230change "bb": >
231 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
232 :let bb = aa
233 :call add(aa, 4)
234 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000235< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000236
237Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
238works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000239a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000240 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
241 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000242 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000243 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
244 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000245< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000246 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000247< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000248
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000249To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000250copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000251
252The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000253List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000254the same value. >
255 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
256 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
257 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000258< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000259 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000260< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000261
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000262Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
263same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000264exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
265different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
266variables. Example: >
267 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000268< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000269 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000270< 0
271
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000272Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000273can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000274
275 :let a = 5
276 :let b = "5"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000277 :echo a == b
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000278< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000279 :echo [a] == [b]
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000280< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000281
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000282
283List unpack ~
284
285To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
286square brackets, like list items: >
287 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
288
289When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
290this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
291and a variable name: >
292 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
293
294This works like: >
295 :let var1 = mylist[0]
296 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000297 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000298
299Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
300empty list then.
301
302
303List modification ~
304 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000305To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000306 :let list[4] = "four"
307 :let listlist[0][3] = item
308
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000309To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000310modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000311 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
312
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000313Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
314examples: >
315 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
316 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
317 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000318 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000319 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
320 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000321 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000322 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000323 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000324 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000325
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000326Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000327 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
328 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
329
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000330
331For loop ~
332
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000333The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
334to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000335 :for item in mylist
336 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000337 :endfor
338
339This works like: >
340 :let index = 0
341 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000342 : let item = mylist[index]
343 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000344 : let index = index + 1
345 :endwhile
346
347Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000348results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000349the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000350
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000351If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000352function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000353
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000354Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000355requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
356 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
357 : call Doit(lnum, col)
358 :endfor
359
360This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
361must remain the same to avoid an error.
362
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000363It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000364 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
365 : call Doit(i, j)
366 : if !empty(rest)
367 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
368 : endif
369 :endfor
370
371
372List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000373 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000374Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000375 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000376 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000377 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
378 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
379 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000380 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
381 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000382 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
383 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000384 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
385 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000386 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
387 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000388
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000389Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
390example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
391 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
392
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000393
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003941.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000395 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000396A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000397entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
398ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000399
400
401Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000402 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000403A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000404braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
405only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000406 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
407 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000408< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000409A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
410String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000411entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000412Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000413
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000414A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000415nested Dictionary: >
416 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
417
418An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
419
420
421Accessing entries ~
422
423The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
424 :let val = mydict["one"]
425 :let mydict["four"] = 4
426
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000427You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000428
429For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
430form can be used |expr-entry|: >
431 :let val = mydict.one
432 :let mydict.four = 4
433
434Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
435key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000436 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000437
438
439Dictionary to List conversion ~
440
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000441You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000442turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
443
444Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
445 :for key in keys(mydict)
446 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
447 :endfor
448
449The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
450 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
451
452To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
453 :for v in values(mydict)
454 : echo "value: " . v
455 :endfor
456
457If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000458a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000459 :for [key, value] in items(mydict)
460 : echo key . ': ' . value
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000461 :endfor
462
463
464Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000465 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000466Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
467Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
468Dictionary: >
469 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
470 :let adict = onedict
471 :let adict['a'] = 11
472 :echo onedict['a']
473 11
474
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000475Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
476more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000477
478
479Dictionary modification ~
480 *dict-modification*
481To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
482use |:let| this way: >
483 :let dict[4] = "four"
484 :let dict['one'] = item
485
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000486Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
487Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
488 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
489 :unlet dict.aaa
490 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000491
492Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000493 :call extend(adict, bdict)
494This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
495in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000496Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
497expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
498adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000499
500Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000501 :call filter(dict, 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000502This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000503
504
505Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000506 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000507When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000508special way with a dictionary. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000509 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000510 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000511 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000512 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
513 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000514
515This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
516Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
517the function was invoked from.
518
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000519It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
520Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
521
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000522 *numbered-function* *anonymous-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000523To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
524assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000525 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
526 :function mydict.len() dict
527 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000528 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000529 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000530
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000531The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000532that references this function. The function can only be used through a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000533|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
534remaining that refers to it.
535
536It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000537
538
539Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000540 *E715*
541Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000542 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
543 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
544 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
545 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
546 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
547 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
548 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
549 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000550
551
5521.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000553 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000554If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
555function.
556
557When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
558start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
559stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
560
561When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
562start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
563stored in the session file |session-file|.
564
565variable name can be stored where ~
566my_var_6 not
567My_Var_6 session file
568MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
569
570
571It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
572|curly-braces-names|.
573
574==============================================================================
5752. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
576
577Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
578
579|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
580
581|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
582
583|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
584
585|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
586 expr5 != expr5 not equal
587 expr5 > expr5 greater than
588 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
589 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
590 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
591 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
592 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
593
594 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
595 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
596 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
597 matching case
598
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000599 expr5 is expr5 same |List| instance
600 expr5 isnot expr5 different |List| instance
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000601
602|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000603 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
604 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
605
606|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
607 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
608 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
609
610|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
611 - expr7 unary minus
612 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000613
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000614
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000615|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a |List|
616 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a |List|
617 expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary|
618 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with |Funcref| variable
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000619
620|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000621 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000622 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000623 [expr1, ...] |List|
624 {expr1: expr1, ...} |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000625 &option option value
626 (expr1) nested expression
627 variable internal variable
628 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
629 $VAR environment variable
630 @r contents of register 'r'
631 function(expr1, ...) function call
632 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
633
634
635".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
636Example: >
637 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
638
639All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
640
641
642expr1 *expr1* *E109*
643-----
644
645expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
646
647The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
648non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
649otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
650Example: >
651 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
652
653Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
654other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
655Example: >
656 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
657
658To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
659 :echo lnum == 1
660 :\ ? "top"
661 :\ : lnum == 1000
662 :\ ? "last"
663 :\ : lnum
664
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000665You should always put a space before the ':', otherwise it can be mistaken for
666use in a variable such as "a:1".
667
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000668
669expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
670---------------
671
672 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
673The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
674are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
675
676 input output ~
677n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
678zero zero zero zero
679zero non-zero non-zero zero
680non-zero zero non-zero zero
681non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
682
683The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
684
685 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
686
687Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
688
689 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
690
691Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
692arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
693
694 let a = 1
695 echo a || b
696
697This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
698so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
699
700 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
701
702This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
703only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
704
705
706expr4 *expr4*
707-----
708
709expr5 {cmp} expr5
710
711Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
712if it evaluates to true.
713
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000714 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000715 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
716 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
717 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
718 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
719 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000720 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000721 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
722equal == ==# ==?
723not equal != !=# !=?
724greater than > ># >?
725greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
726smaller than < <# <?
727smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
728regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
729regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000730same instance is
731different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000732
733Examples:
734"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
735"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
736"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
737
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000738 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000739A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
740"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
741Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000742
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000743 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000744A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
745equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000746recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
747
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000748 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000749A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
750equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000751
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000752When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| this checks if the expressions are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000753referring to the same |List| instance. A copy of a |List| is different from
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000754the original |List|. When using "is" without a |List| it is equivalent to
755using "equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000756different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000757is false.
758
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000759When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000760and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000761because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
762
763When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
764results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
765necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
766
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000767When using the operators with a trailing '#', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000768'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp(): case matters.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000769
770When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000771'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp(): case is ignored.
772
773'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000774
775The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
776argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
777This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
778matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
779portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
780single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
781Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
782(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
783can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
784 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
785 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
786
787
788expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
789---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000790expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000791expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
792expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000793
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +0000794For |Lists| only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000795result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000796
797expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
798expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
799expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000800
801For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
802
803Note the difference between "+" and ".":
804 "123" + "456" = 579
805 "123" . "456" = "123456"
806
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000807Since '.' has the same precedence as '+' and '-', you need to read: >
808 1 . 90 + 90.0
809As: >
810 (1 . 90) + 90.0
811That works, since the String "190" is automatically converted to the Number
812190, which can be added to the Float 90.0. However: >
813 1 . 90 * 90.0
814Should be read as: >
815 1 . (90 * 90.0)
816Since '.' has lower precedence than '*'. This does NOT work, since this
817attempts to concatenate a Float and a String.
818
819When dividing a Number by zero the result depends on the value:
820 0 / 0 = -0x80000000 (like NaN for Float)
821 >0 / 0 = 0x7fffffff (like positive infinity)
822 <0 / 0 = -0x7fffffff (like negative infinity)
823 (before Vim 7.2 it was always 0x7fffffff)
824
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000825When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
826
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000827None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000828
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000829. and % do not work for Float. *E804*
830
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000831
832expr7 *expr7*
833-----
834! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
835- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
836+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
837
838For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
839For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
840For '+' the number is unchanged.
841
842A String will be converted to a Number first.
843
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000844These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000845 !-1 == 0
846 !!8 == 1
847 --9 == 9
848
849
850expr8 *expr8*
851-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000852expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000853
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000854If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
855expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000856Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000857
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000858Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
859text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
860cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000861 :let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000862
863If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000864String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
865compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
866
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000867If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000868for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000869error. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000870 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
871
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000872Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
873|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
874error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000875
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000876
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000877expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000878
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000879If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
880from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000881expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
882encodings.
883
884If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
885string minus one is used.
886
887A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
888the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
889
890If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
891expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
892
893Examples: >
894 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
895 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
896 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
897 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
898
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000899If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000900the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000901just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000902 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
903 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
904 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
905
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000906Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
907error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000908
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000909
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000910expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000911
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000912If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
913name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
914expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000915
916The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
917but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
918
919There must not be white space before or after the dot.
920
921Examples: >
922 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
923 :echo dict.one
924 :echo dict .2
925
926Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
927always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
928
929
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000930expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000931
932When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
933
934
935
936 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000937number
938------
939number number constant *expr-number*
940
941Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
942
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000943 *floating-point-format*
944Floating point numbers can be written in two forms:
945
946 [-+]{N}.{M}
947 [-+]{N}.{M}e[-+]{exp}
948
949{N} and {M} are numbers. Both {N} and {M} must be present and can only
950contain digits.
951[-+] means there is an optional plus or minus sign.
952{exp} is the exponent, power of 10.
953Only a decimal point is accepted, not a comma. No matter what the current
954locale is.
955{only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
956
957Examples:
958 123.456
959 +0.0001
960 55.0
961 -0.123
962 1.234e03
963 1.0E-6
964 -3.1416e+88
965
966These are INVALID:
967 3. empty {M}
968 1e40 missing .{M}
969
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +0000970 *float-pi* *float-e*
971A few useful values to copy&paste: >
972 :let pi = 3.14159265359
973 :let e = 2.71828182846
974
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000975Rationale:
976Before floating point was introduced, the text "123.456" was interpreted as
977the two numbers "123" and "456", both converted to a string and concatenated,
978resulting in the string "123456". Since this was considered pointless, and we
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +0000979could not find it intentionally being used in Vim scripts, this backwards
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000980incompatibility was accepted in favor of being able to use the normal notation
981for floating point numbers.
982
983 *floating-point-precision*
984The precision and range of floating points numbers depends on what "double"
985means in the library Vim was compiled with. There is no way to change this at
986runtime.
987
988The default for displaying a |Float| is to use 6 decimal places, like using
989printf("%g", f). You can select something else when using the |printf()|
990function. Example: >
991 :echo printf('%.15e', atan(1))
992< 7.853981633974483e-01
993
994
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000995
996string *expr-string* *E114*
997------
998"string" string constant *expr-quote*
999
1000Note that double quotes are used.
1001
1002A string constant accepts these special characters:
1003\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
1004\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
1005\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
1006\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
1007\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
1008\X.. same as \x..
1009\X. same as \x.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001010\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001011 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
1012\U.... same as \u....
1013\b backspace <BS>
1014\e escape <Esc>
1015\f formfeed <FF>
1016\n newline <NL>
1017\r return <CR>
1018\t tab <Tab>
1019\\ backslash
1020\" double quote
1021\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
1022
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001023Note that "\xff" is stored as the byte 255, which may be invalid in some
1024encodings. Use "\u00ff" to store character 255 according to the current value
1025of 'encoding'.
1026
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001027Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
1028
1029
1030literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
1031---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001032'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001033
1034Note that single quotes are used.
1035
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001036This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001037meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001038
1039Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001040to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001041 if a =~ "\\s*"
1042 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001043
1044
1045option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
1046------
1047&option option value, local value if possible
1048&g:option global option value
1049&l:option local option value
1050
1051Examples: >
1052 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
1053 if &insertmode
1054
1055Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
1056and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
1057anyway.
1058
1059
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001060register *expr-register* *@r*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001061--------
1062@r contents of register 'r'
1063
1064The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
1065Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001066register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00001067registers.
1068
1069When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
1070evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001071
1072
1073nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
1074-------
1075(expr1) nested expression
1076
1077
1078environment variable *expr-env*
1079--------------------
1080$VAR environment variable
1081
1082The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
1083result is an empty string.
1084 *expr-env-expand*
1085Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
1086expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
1087are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
1088the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
1089fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
1090does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
1091 :echo $version
1092 :echo expand("$version")
1093The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
1094variable (if your shell supports it).
1095
1096
1097internal variable *expr-variable*
1098-----------------
1099variable internal variable
1100See below |internal-variables|.
1101
1102
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001103function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001104-------------
1105function(expr1, ...) function call
1106See below |functions|.
1107
1108
1109==============================================================================
11103. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1111 *E461*
1112An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1113cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1114|curly-braces-names|.
1115
1116An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001117An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1118|:unlet|.
1119Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1120been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001121
1122There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1123specified by what is prepended:
1124
1125 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1126|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1127|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001128|tabpage-variable| t: Local to the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001129|global-variable| g: Global.
1130|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1131|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1132|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001133|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001134
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001135The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1136delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001137 :for k in keys(s:)
1138 : unlet s:[k]
1139 :endfor
1140<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001141 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1142A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1143Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1144This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1145|:bdelete|.
1146
1147One local buffer variable is predefined:
1148 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1149b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1150 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1151 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1152 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1153 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001154 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1155 : call My_Update()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001156 :endif
1157<
1158 *window-variable* *w:var*
1159A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1160is deleted when the window is closed.
1161
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001162 *tabpage-variable* *t:var*
1163A variable name that is preceded with "t:" is local to the current tab page,
1164It is deleted when the tab page is closed. {not available when compiled
1165without the +windows feature}
1166
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001167 *global-variable* *g:var*
1168Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001169access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001170place if you like.
1171
1172 *local-variable* *l:var*
1173Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001174But you can also prepend "l:" if you like. However, without prepending "l:"
1175you may run into reserved variable names. For example "count". By itself it
1176refers to "v:count". Using "l:count" you can have a local variable with the
1177same name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001178
1179 *script-variable* *s:var*
1180In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1181accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1182
1183They can be used in:
1184- commands executed while the script is sourced
1185- functions defined in the script
1186- autocommands defined in the script
1187- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1188 defined in the script (recursively)
1189- user defined commands defined in the script
1190Thus not in:
1191- other scripts sourced from this one
1192- mappings
1193- etc.
1194
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001195Script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1196Take this example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001197
1198 let s:counter = 0
1199 function MyCounter()
1200 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1201 echo s:counter
1202 endfunction
1203 command Tick call MyCounter()
1204
1205You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1206that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1207"Tick" was defined is used.
1208
1209Another example that does the same: >
1210
1211 let s:counter = 0
1212 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1213
1214When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001215script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001216defined.
1217
1218The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1219function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1220
1221 let s:counter = 0
1222 function StartCounting(incr)
1223 if a:incr
1224 function MyCounter()
1225 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1226 endfunction
1227 else
1228 function MyCounter()
1229 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1230 endfunction
1231 endif
1232 endfunction
1233
1234This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1235when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1236called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1237
1238When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1239They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1240maintain a counter: >
1241
1242 if !exists("s:counter")
1243 let s:counter = 1
1244 echo "script executed for the first time"
1245 else
1246 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1247 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1248 endif
1249
1250Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1251variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1252
1253
1254Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1255
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001256 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1257v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1258 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1259 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1260
1261 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1262v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1263 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1264
1265 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1266v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1267 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1268
1269 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001270v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1271 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1272 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1273 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001274 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1275 highlighted text is used.
1276 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1277
1278 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1279v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1280 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1281
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001282 *v:char* *char-variable*
1283v:char Argument for evaluating 'formatexpr'.
1284
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001285 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1286v:charconvert_from
1287 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1288 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1289
1290 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1291v:charconvert_to
1292 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1293 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1294
1295 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1296v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1297 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1298 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1299 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1300 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1301 possible to append this variable directly after the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001302 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001303 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1304 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1305 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1306 in 'printexpr'.
1307
1308 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1309v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1310 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1311 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1312 can be used.
1313
1314 *v:count* *count-variable*
1315v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001316 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001317 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1318< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1319 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001320 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001321 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1322
1323 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1324v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1325 used.
1326
1327 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1328v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1329 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1330 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1331 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1332 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1333 command.
1334 See |multi-lang|.
1335
1336 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001337v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001338 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1339 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1340 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1341 Example: >
1342 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1343<
1344 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1345v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1346 Example: >
1347 :let v:errmsg = ""
1348 :silent! next
1349 :if v:errmsg != ""
1350 : ... handle error
1351< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1352
1353 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1354v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1355 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1356 Example: >
1357 :try
1358 : throw "oops"
1359 :catch /.*/
1360 : echo "caught" v:exception
1361 :endtry
1362< Output: "caught oops".
1363
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001364 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1365v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1366 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1367 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1368 deleted file no longer exists
1369 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1370 changed and buffer is modified
1371 changed file contents has changed
1372 mode mode of file changed
1373 time only file timestamp changed
1374
1375 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1376v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1377 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1378 do with the affected buffer:
1379 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1380 the file was deleted).
1381 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1382 was no autocommand. Except that when
1383 only the timestamp changed nothing
1384 will happen.
1385 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1386 everything that needs to be done.
1387 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1388 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1389
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001390 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001391v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001392 option used for ~
1393 'charconvert' file to be converted
1394 'diffexpr' original file
1395 'patchexpr' original file
1396 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001397 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001398
1399 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1400v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1401 evaluating:
1402 option used for ~
1403 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1404 'diffexpr' output of diff
1405 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1406 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001407 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001408 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1409 file and different from v:fname_in.
1410
1411 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1412v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1413 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1414
1415 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1416v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1417 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1418
1419 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1420v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1421 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001422 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001423
1424 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1425v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001426 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001427
1428 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1429v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001430 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001431
1432 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1433v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001434 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001435
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001436 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1437v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1438 events. Values:
1439 i Insert mode
1440 r Replace mode
1441 v Virtual Replace mode
1442
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001443 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001444v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001445 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1446 Read-only.
1447
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001448 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1449v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1450 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1451 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1452 The value is system dependent.
1453 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1454 command.
1455 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1456 in a different language than what is used for character
1457 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1458
1459 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1460v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1461 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1462 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1463 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1464 command. See |multi-lang|.
1465
1466 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001467v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
Bram Moolenaar57657d82006-04-21 22:12:41 +00001468 expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel' and
1469 'guitabtooltip'. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1470 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001471
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00001472 *v:mouse_win* *mouse_win-variable*
1473v:mouse_win Window number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1474 First window has number 1, like with |winnr()|. The value is
1475 zero when there was no mouse button click.
1476
1477 *v:mouse_lnum* *mouse_lnum-variable*
1478v:mouse_lnum Line number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1479 This is the text line number, not the screen line number. The
1480 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1481
1482 *v:mouse_col* *mouse_col-variable*
1483v:mouse_col Column number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1484 This is the screen column number, like with |virtcol()|. The
1485 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1486
Bram Moolenaard812df62008-11-09 12:46:09 +00001487 *v:oldfiles* *oldfiles-variable*
1488v:oldfiles List of file names that is loaded from the |viminfo| file on
1489 startup. These are the files that Vim remembers marks for.
1490 The length of the List is limited by the ' argument of the
1491 'viminfo' option (default is 100).
1492 Also see |:oldfiles| and |c_#<|.
1493 The List can be modified, but this has no effect on what is
1494 stored in the |viminfo| file later. If you use values other
1495 than String this will cause trouble.
1496 {only when compiled with the +viminfo feature}
1497
Bram Moolenaar8af1fbf2008-01-05 12:35:21 +00001498 *v:operator* *operator-variable*
1499v:operator The last operator given in Normal mode. This is a single
1500 character except for commands starting with <g> or <z>,
1501 in which case it is two characters. Best used alongside
1502 |v:prevcount| and |v:register|. Useful if you want to cancel
1503 Operator-pending mode and then use the operator, e.g.: >
1504 :omap O <Esc>:call MyMotion(v:operator)<CR>
1505< The value remains set until another operator is entered, thus
1506 don't expect it to be empty.
1507 v:operator is not set for |:delete|, |:yank| or other Ex
1508 commands.
1509 Read-only.
1510
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001511 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1512v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1513 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
Bram Moolenaar8af1fbf2008-01-05 12:35:21 +00001514 you want to cancel Visual or Operator-pending mode and then
1515 use the count, e.g.: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001516 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1517< Read-only.
1518
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001519 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001520v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001521 See |profiling|.
1522
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001523 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1524v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1525 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1526 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1527 Read-only.
1528
1529 *v:register* *register-variable*
1530v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1531 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1532
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001533 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1534v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1535 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1536 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1537 typed command.
1538 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1539 hit-enter prompt.
1540
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001541 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1542v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1543 Read-only.
1544
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001545
1546v:searchforward *v:searchforward* *searchforward-variable*
1547 Search direction: 1 after a forward search, 0 after a
1548 backward search. It is reset to forward when directly setting
1549 the last search pattern, see |quote/|.
1550 Note that the value is restored when returning from a
1551 function. |function-search-undo|.
1552 Read-write.
1553
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001554 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1555v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1556 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1557 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1558 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1559 executed. Read-only.
1560 Example: >
1561 :!mv foo bar
1562 :if v:shell_error
1563 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1564 :endif
1565< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1566
1567 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1568v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1569
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001570 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1571v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1572 the swap file found. Read-only.
1573
1574 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1575v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1576 for handling an existing swap file:
1577 'o' Open read-only
1578 'e' Edit anyway
1579 'r' Recover
1580 'd' Delete swapfile
1581 'q' Quit
1582 'a' Abort
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001583 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001584 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1585 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1586
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001587 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001588v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001589 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001590 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001591 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001592 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001593
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001594 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1595v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001596 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001597 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1598 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1599 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1600 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1601 terminal.
1602 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1603 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1604 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1605 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1606 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1607
1608 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1609v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1610 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1611 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1612 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1613
1614 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1615v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001616 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001617 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1618 Example: >
1619 :try
1620 : throw "oops"
1621 :catch /.*/
1622 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1623 :endtry
1624< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1625
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001626 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001627v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001628 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001629 |filter()|. Read-only.
1630
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001631 *v:version* *version-variable*
1632v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1633 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1634 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1635 compatibility.
1636 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1637 if has("patch123")
1638< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1639 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1640 completely different.
1641
1642 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1643v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1644
1645==============================================================================
16464. Builtin Functions *functions*
1647
1648See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1649
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001650(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001651
1652USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1653
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001654abs( {expr}) Float or Number absolute value of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001655add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001656append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001657append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001658argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001659argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001660argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001661argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001662atan( {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001663browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1664 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001665browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001666bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001667buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1668bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001669bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1670bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1671bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1672byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001673byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001674call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1675 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001676ceil( {expr}) Float round {expr} up
1677changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001678char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001679cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001680clearmatches() None clear all matches
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001681col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001682complete({startcol}, {matches}) String set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001683complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001684complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001685confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1686 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001687copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001688cos( {expr}) Float cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001689count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1690 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001691cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1692 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001693cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {coladd}])
1694 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {coladd}
1695cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001696deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001697delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1698did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001699diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1700diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001701empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001702escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001703eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001704eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001705executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1706exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001707extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
1708 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00001709expand( {expr} [, {flag}]) String expand special keywords in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001710feedkeys( {string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001711filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001712filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001713filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1714 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001715finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001716 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001717findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001718 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001719float2nr( {expr}) Number convert Float {expr} to a Number
1720floor( {expr}) Float round {expr} down
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00001721fnameescape( {fname}) String escape special characters in {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001722fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001723foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1724foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001725foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001726foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001727foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001728foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001729function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00001730garbagecollect( [at_exit]) none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001731get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001732get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001733getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1734 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001735getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001736getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1737getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001738getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1739getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001740getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001741getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001742getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1743getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001744getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001745getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001746getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001747getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1748getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001749getloclist({nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001750getmatches() List list of current matches
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00001751getpid() Number process ID of Vim
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001752getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001753getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001754getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001755getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001756gettabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {name})
1757 any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001758getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1759getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001760getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00001761glob( {expr} [, {flag}]) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1762globpath( {path}, {expr} [, {flag}])
1763 String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001764has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001765has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00001766haslocaldir() Number TRUE if current window executed |:lcd|
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001767hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1768 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001769histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1770histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1771histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1772histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1773hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1774hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1775hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001776iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1777indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001778index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1779 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001780input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1781 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001782inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001783inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001784inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1785inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001786inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001787insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001788isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001789islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001790items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001791join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001792keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001793len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1794libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001795libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1796line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1797line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001798lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001799localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001800log10( {expr}) Float logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001801map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001802maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1803 String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1804mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1805 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001806match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001807 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001808matchadd( {group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
1809 Number highlight {pattern} with {group}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001810matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001811matchdelete( {id}) Number delete match identified by {id}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001812matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001813 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001814matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1815 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001816matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1817 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001818max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00001819min({list}) Number minimum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001820mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1821 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001822mode( [expr]) String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001823nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1824nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001825pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001826pow( {x}, {y}) Float {x} to the power of {y}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001827prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001828printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
1829pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001830range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1831 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001832readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1833 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00001834reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
1835reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001836remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1837 String send expression
1838remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1839remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1840 Number check for reply string
1841remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1842remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1843 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001844remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001845remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001846rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1847repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1848resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001849reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001850round( {expr}) Float round off {expr}
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001851search( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
1852 Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001853searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001854 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001855searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001856 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001857searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001858 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001859searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001860 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001861server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1862 Number send reply string
1863serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1864setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1865setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1866setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001867setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1868 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001869setmatches( {list}) Number restore a list of matches
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001870setpos( {expr}, {list}) none set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001871setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001872setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001873settabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window
1874 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001875setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00001876shellescape( {string} [, {special}])
1877 String escape {string} for use as shell
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00001878 command argument
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001879simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001880sin( {expr}) Float sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001881sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001882soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001883spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001884spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1885 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001886split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001887 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001888sqrt( {expr} Float squar root of {expr}
1889str2float( {expr}) Float convert String to Float
1890str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert String to Number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001891strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001892stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1893 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001894string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001895strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1896strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1897 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001898strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1899 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001900strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001901submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001902substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1903 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001904synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001905synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1906 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1907synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001908synstack({lnum}, {col}) List stack of syntax IDs at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001909system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001910tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1911tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1912tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1913 Number number of current window in tab page
1914taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001915tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001916tempname() String name for a temporary file
1917tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1918toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001919tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1920 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001921trunc( {expr} Float truncate Float {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001922type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001923values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001924virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1925visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1926winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1927wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1928winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1929winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001930winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001931winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00001932winrestview({dict}) None restore view of current window
1933winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001934winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001935writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1936 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001937
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001938abs({expr}) *abs()*
1939 Return the absolute value of {expr}. When {expr} evaluates to
1940 a |Float| abs() returns a |Float|. When {expr} can be
1941 converted to a |Number| abs() returns a |Number|. Otherwise
1942 abs() gives an error message and returns -1.
1943 Examples: >
1944 echo abs(1.456)
1945< 1.456 >
1946 echo abs(-5.456)
1947< 5.456 >
1948 echo abs(-4)
1949< 4
1950 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
1951
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001952add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001953 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
1954 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001955 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1956 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001957< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001958 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001959 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001960
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001961
1962append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001963 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
1964 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001965 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1966 the current buffer.
1967 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001968 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001969 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001970 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001971 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001972<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001973 *argc()*
1974argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1975 current window. See |arglist|.
1976
1977 *argidx()*
1978argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1979 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1980
1981 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001982argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001983 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1984 Example: >
1985 :let i = 0
1986 :while i < argc()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001987 : let f = escape(fnameescape(argv(i)), '.')
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001988 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1989 : let i = i + 1
1990 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001991< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
1992 returned.
1993
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001994atan({expr}) *atan()*
1995 Return the principal value of the arc tangent of {expr}, in
1996 the range [-pi/2, +pi/2] radians, as a |Float|.
1997 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
1998 Examples: >
1999 :echo atan(100)
2000< 1.560797 >
2001 :echo atan(-4.01)
2002< -1.326405
2003 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2004
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002005 *browse()*
2006browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
2007 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
2008 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2009 The input fields are:
2010 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
2011 {title} title for the requester
2012 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2013 {default} default file name
2014 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2015 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2016
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002017 *browsedir()*
2018browsedir({title}, {initdir})
2019 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
2020 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2021 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
2022 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
2023 to be used.
2024 The input fields are:
2025 {title} title for the requester
2026 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2027 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2028 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2029
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002030bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
2031 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2032 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002033 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002034 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002035 exactly. The name can be:
2036 - Relative to the current directory.
2037 - A full path.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002038 - The name of a buffer with 'buftype' set to "nofile".
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002039 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002040 Unlisted buffers will be found.
2041 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
2042 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
2043 long name to be able to find them.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002044 bufexists() may report a buffer exists, but to use the name
2045 with a |:buffer| command you may need to use |expand()|. Esp
2046 for MS-Windows 8.3 names in the form "c:\DOCUME~1"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002047 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
2048 file name.
2049 *buffer_exists()*
2050 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
2051
2052buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
2053 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2054 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002055 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002056
2057bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
2058 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2059 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002060 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002061
2062bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
2063 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
2064 ":ls" command.
2065 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
2066 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
2067 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002068 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002069 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
2070 match an empty string is returned.
2071 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
2072 alternate buffer.
2073 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002074 or middle of the buffer name is accepted. If you only want a
2075 full match then put "^" at the start and "$" at the end of the
2076 pattern.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002077 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
2078 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
2079 buffers are searched for.
2080 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
2081 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
2082 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
2083< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
2084 string is returned. >
2085 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
2086 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
2087 bufname("%") name of current buffer
2088 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
2089< *buffer_name()*
2090 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
2091
2092 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002093bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
2094 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002095 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002096 above.
2097 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
2098 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
2099 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002100 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
2101 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
2102< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
2103 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
2104 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
2105 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
2106 *buffer_number()*
2107 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
2108 *last_buffer_nr()*
2109 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
2110
2111bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
2112 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
2113 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002114 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002115 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
2116
2117 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
2118
2119< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
2120 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002121 Only deals with the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002122
2123
2124byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
2125 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
2126 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
2127 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
2128 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
2129 one.
2130 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
2131 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
2132 feature}
2133
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00002134byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
2135 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
2136 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
2137 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
2138 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
2139 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
2140 Example : >
2141 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
2142< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
2143 same: >
2144 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
2145 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
2146< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
2147 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
2148 is returned.
2149
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002150call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002151 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002152 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002153 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002154 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
2155 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002156 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
2157 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002158
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002159ceil({expr}) *ceil()*
2160 Return the smallest integral value greater than or equal to
2161 {expr} as a |Float| (round up).
2162 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2163 Examples: >
2164 echo ceil(1.456)
2165< 2.0 >
2166 echo ceil(-5.456)
2167< -5.0 >
2168 echo ceil(4.0)
2169< 4.0
2170 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2171
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00002172changenr() *changenr()*
2173 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
2174 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
2175 with the |:undo| command.
2176 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
2177 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
2178 one less than the number of the undone change.
2179
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002180char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
2181 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
2182 char2nr(" ") returns 32
2183 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
2184< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002185 char2nr("á") returns 225
2186 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002187< |nr2char()| does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002188
2189cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
2190 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
2191 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
2192 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
2193 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
2194 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
2195 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00002196 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002197
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00002198clearmatches() *clearmatches()*
2199 Clears all matches previously defined by |matchadd()| and the
2200 |:match| commands.
2201
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002202 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00002203col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002204 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2205 . the cursor position
2206 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
2207 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
2208 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2209 returned)
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002210 Additionally {expr} can be [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line
2211 and column number. Most useful when the column is "$", to get
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002212 the last column of a specific line. When "lnum" or "col" is
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002213 out of range then col() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002214 To get the line number use |line()|. To get both use
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002215 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002216 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
2217 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2218 Examples: >
2219 col(".") column of cursor
2220 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
2221 col("'t") column of mark t
2222 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002223< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002224 For an uppercase mark the column may actually be in another
2225 buffer.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002226 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
2227 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
2228 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
2229 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
2230 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
2231 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
2232 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
2233<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002234
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002235complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
2236 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2237 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002238 with CTRL-R = |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O or
2239 with an expression mapping.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002240 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2241 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2242 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2243 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2244 match.
2245 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2246 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2247 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
2248 inserting anything that would completion to stop.
2249 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2250 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2251 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2252 Example: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002253 inoremap <F5> <C-R>=ListMonths()<CR>
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002254
2255 func! ListMonths()
2256 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2257 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2258 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2259 return ''
2260 endfunc
2261< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2262 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2263
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002264complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2265 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2266 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2267 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2268 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2269 the list.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002270 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002271 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002272
2273complete_check() *complete_check()*
2274 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2275 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2276 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2277 zero otherwise.
2278 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2279 'completefunc' option.
2280
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002281 *confirm()*
2282confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2283 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2284 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2285 choice this is 1.
2286 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2287 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
2288 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2289 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2290 used (and translated).
2291 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2292 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
2293 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2294 by '\n', e.g. >
2295 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2296< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2297 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2298 not need to be the first letter: >
2299 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2300< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2301 the default shortcut key.
2302 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2303 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2304 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2305 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002306 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002307 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
2308 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
2309 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
2310 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2311 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2312 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2313
2314 An example: >
2315 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2316 :if choice == 0
2317 : echo "make up your mind!"
2318 :elseif choice == 3
2319 : echo "tasteful"
2320 :else
2321 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2322 :endif
2323< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2324 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002325 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002326 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2327 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2328 the horizontal layout is always used.
2329
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002330 *copy()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002331copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002332 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002333 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2334 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002335 copy, and vice versa. But the items are identical, thus
2336 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002337 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002338
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002339cos({expr}) *cos()*
2340 Return the cosine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
2341 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2342 Examples: >
2343 :echo cos(100)
2344< 0.862319 >
2345 :echo cos(-4.01)
2346< -0.646043
2347 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2348
2349
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002350count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002351 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002352 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002353 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002354 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002355 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2356
2357
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002358 *cscope_connection()*
2359cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2360 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2361 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2362 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2363 if there are no cscope connections;
2364 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2365
2366 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2367 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2368
2369 {num} Description of existence check
2370 ----- ------------------------------
2371 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2372 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2373 {dbpath}.
2374 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2375 {dbpath}.
2376 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2377 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2378 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2379 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2380
2381 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2382
2383 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2384
2385 # pid database name prepend path
2386 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2387<
2388 Invocation Return Val ~
2389 ---------- ---------- >
2390 cscope_connection() 1
2391 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2392 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2393 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2394 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2395 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2396 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2397 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2398<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002399cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2400cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002401 Positions the cursor at the column (byte count) {col} in the
2402 line {lnum}. The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002403 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002404 with two or three items {lnum}, {col} and {off}. This is like
2405 the return value of |getpos()|, but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002406 Does not change the jumplist.
2407 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2408 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2409 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002410 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002411 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2412 line.
2413 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002414 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2415 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00002416 position within a <Tab> or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002417
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002418
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002419deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002420 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002421 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002422 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2423 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002424 copy, and vice versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002425 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002426 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2427 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2428 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2429 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2430 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2431 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002432 *E724*
2433 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002434 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2435 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002436 Also see |copy()|.
2437
2438delete({fname}) *delete()*
2439 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002440 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2441 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002442 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002443
2444 *did_filetype()*
2445did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2446 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2447 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2448 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2449 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2450 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2451 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2452 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2453 file.
2454
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002455diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2456 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2457 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2458 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2459 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2460 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2461 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2462 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2463
2464diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2465 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2466 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2467 diff change zero is returned.
2468 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2469 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2470 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2471 line.
2472 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2473 syntax information about the highlighting.
2474
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002475empty({expr}) *empty()*
2476 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002477 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002478 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002479 For a long |List| this is much faster then comparing the
2480 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002481
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002482escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2483 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2484 backslash. Example: >
2485 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2486< results in: >
2487 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002488< Also see |shellescape()|.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002489
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002490 *eval()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002491eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2492 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002493 This works for Numbers, Floats, Strings and composites of
2494 them. Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing
2495 functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002496
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002497eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2498 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2499 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2500 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2501 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2502
2503executable({expr}) *executable()*
2504 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2505 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002506 arguments.
2507 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2508 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2509 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2510 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002511 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2512 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002513 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002514 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002515 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2516 extension.
2517 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2518 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002519 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2520 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2521 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002522 The result is a Number:
2523 1 exists
2524 0 does not exist
2525 -1 not implemented on this system
2526
2527 *exists()*
2528exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2529 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2530 which contains one of these:
2531 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2532 not if it really works)
2533 +option-name Vim option that works.
2534 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2535 done by comparing with an empty
2536 string)
2537 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2538 or user defined function (see
2539 |user-functions|).
2540 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002541 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002542 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2543 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00002544 that evaluating an index may cause an
2545 error message for an invalid
2546 expression. E.g.: >
2547 :let l = [1, 2, 3]
2548 :echo exists("l[5]")
2549< 0 >
2550 :echo exists("l[xx]")
2551< E121: Undefined variable: xx
2552 0
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002553 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2554 command or command modifier |:command|.
2555 Returns:
2556 1 for match with start of a command
2557 2 full match with a command
2558 3 matches several user commands
2559 To check for a supported command
2560 always check the return value to be 2.
Bram Moolenaar14716812006-05-04 21:54:08 +00002561 :2match The |:2match| command.
2562 :3match The |:3match| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002563 #event autocommand defined for this event
2564 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2565 pattern (the pattern is taken
2566 literally and compared to the
2567 autocommand patterns character by
2568 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002569 #group autocommand group exists
2570 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2571 event.
2572 #group#event#pattern
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002573 autocommand defined for this group,
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002574 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002575 ##event autocommand for this event is
2576 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002577 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2578
2579 Examples: >
2580 exists("&shortname")
2581 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2582 exists("*strftime")
2583 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2584 exists("bufcount")
2585 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002586 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002587 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002588 exists("#filetypeindent")
2589 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2590 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002591 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002592< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2593 name.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002594 There must be no extra characters after the name, although in
2595 a few cases this is ignored. That may become more strict in
2596 the future, thus don't count on it!
2597 Working example: >
2598 exists(":make")
2599< NOT working example: >
2600 exists(":make install")
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00002601
2602< Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2603 variable itself. For example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002604 exists(bufcount)
2605< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00002606 but gets the value of "bufcount", and checks if that exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002607
2608expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2609 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2610 The result is a String.
2611
2612 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2613 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2614 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2615
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002616 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002617 for a non-existing file is not included.
2618
2619 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2620 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2621 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2622
2623 % current file name
2624 # alternate file name
2625 #n alternate file name n
2626 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2627 <afile> autocmd file name
2628 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2629 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2630 <sfile> sourced script file name
2631 <cword> word under the cursor
2632 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2633 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2634 message |server2client()|
2635 Modifiers:
2636 :p expand to full path
2637 :h head (last path component removed)
2638 :t tail (last path component only)
2639 :r root (one extension removed)
2640 :e extension only
2641
2642 Example: >
2643 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2644< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2645 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2646 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2647< Use this: >
2648 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2649< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2650 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2651 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2652 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2653 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2654<
2655 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2656 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2657 to modify normal file names.
2658
2659 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2660 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2661 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2662 '/' added.
2663
2664 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2665 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2666 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2667 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002668 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2669 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2670 files in the current directory and below: >
2671 :echo expand("**/README")
2672<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002673 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2674 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002675 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002676 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002677 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002678 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2679 "$FOOBAR".
2680
2681 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2682 getting the raw output of an external command.
2683
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002684extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002685 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
2686 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002687
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002688 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002689 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2690 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2691 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2692 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002693 Examples: >
2694 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2695 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaardc9cf9c2008-08-08 10:36:31 +00002696< When {expr1} is the same List as {expr2} then the number of
2697 items copied is equal to the original length of the List.
2698 E.g., when {expr3} is 1 you get N new copies of the first item
2699 (where N is the original length of the List).
2700 Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002701 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002702 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002703<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002704 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002705 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2706 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2707 used to decide what to do:
2708 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2709 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002710 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002711 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2712
2713 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2714 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2715 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2716 Returns {expr1}.
2717
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002718
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002719feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) *feedkeys()*
2720 Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002721 come from a mapping or were typed by the user. They are added
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002722 to the end of the typeahead buffer, thus if a mapping is still
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002723 being executed these characters come after them.
2724 The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
2725 {string}.
2726 To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
2727 and "\..." notation |expr-quote|. For example,
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00002728 feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the <Enter> key. But
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002729 feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
2730 If {mode} is absent, keys are remapped.
2731 {mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00002732 'm' Remap keys. This is default.
2733 'n' Do not remap keys.
2734 't' Handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
2735 if coming from a mapping. This matters for undo,
2736 opening folds, etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002737 Return value is always 0.
2738
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002739filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2740 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2741 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2742 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2743 expression, which is used as a String.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002744 If you don't care about the file being readable you can use
2745 |glob()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002746 *file_readable()*
2747 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2748
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002749
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002750filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2751 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2752 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002753 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If {file} is a
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002754 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2755
2756
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002757filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002758 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002759 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002760 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002761 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002762 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002763 Examples: >
2764 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2765< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2766 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2767< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2768 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002769< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002770
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002771 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2772 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2773 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2774
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002775 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2776 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002777 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002778
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002779< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002780 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2781 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002782
2783
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002784finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar5b6b1ca2007-03-27 08:19:43 +00002785 Find directory {name} in {path}. Supports both downwards and
2786 upwards recursive directory searches. See |file-searching|
2787 for the syntax of {path}.
2788 Returns the path of the first found match. When the found
2789 directory is below the current directory a relative path is
2790 returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002791 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2792 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002793 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00002794 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002795 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002796 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2797
2798findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2799 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002800 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
2801 Example: >
2802 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002803< Searches from the directory of the current file upwards until
2804 it finds the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002805
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002806float2nr({expr}) *float2nr()*
2807 Convert {expr} to a Number by omitting the part after the
2808 decimal point.
2809 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a Number.
2810 When the value of {expr} is out of range for a |Number| the
2811 result is truncated to 0x7fffffff or -0x7fffffff. NaN results
2812 in -0x80000000.
2813 Examples: >
2814 echo float2nr(3.95)
2815< 3 >
2816 echo float2nr(-23.45)
2817< -23 >
2818 echo float2nr(1.0e100)
2819< 2147483647 >
2820 echo float2nr(-1.0e150)
2821< -2147483647 >
2822 echo float2nr(1.0e-100)
2823< 0
2824 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2825
2826
2827floor({expr}) *floor()*
2828 Return the largest integral value less than or equal to
2829 {expr} as a |Float| (round down).
2830 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2831 Examples: >
2832 echo floor(1.856)
2833< 1.0 >
2834 echo floor(-5.456)
2835< -6.0 >
2836 echo floor(4.0)
2837< 4.0
2838 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2839
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002840fnameescape({string}) *fnameescape()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002841 Escape {string} for use as file name command argument. All
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002842 characters that have a special meaning, such as '%' and '|'
2843 are escaped with a backslash.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002844 For most systems the characters escaped are
2845 " \t\n*?[{`$\\%#'\"|!<". For systems where a backslash
2846 appears in a filename, it depends on the value of 'isfname'.
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002847 A leading '+' and '>' is also escaped (special after |:edit|
2848 and |:write|). And a "-" by itself (special after |:cd|).
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002849 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002850 :let fname = '+some str%nge|name'
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002851 :exe "edit " . fnameescape(fname)
2852< results in executing: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002853 edit \+some\ str\%nge\|name
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002854
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002855fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2856 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2857 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2858 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2859 Example: >
2860 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2861< results in: >
2862 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002863< Note: Environment variables don't work in {fname}, use
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002864 |expand()| first then.
2865
2866foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2867 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2868 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2869 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2870
2871foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2872 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2873 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2874 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2875
2876foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2877 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002878 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002879 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2880 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2881 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2882 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2883 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2884 previous line is usually available.
2885
2886 *foldtext()*
2887foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2888 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2889 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2890 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2891 The returned string looks like this: >
2892 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002893< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002894 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2895 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2896 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2897 options is removed.
2898 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2899
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002900foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2901 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2902 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2903 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2904 returned.
2905 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2906 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2907 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2908 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2909
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002910 *foreground()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002911foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002912 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2913 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2914 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2915 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2916 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2917 Win32 console version}
2918
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002919
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002920function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002921 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002922 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2923
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002924
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00002925garbagecollect([at_exit]) *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002926 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002927 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2928 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2929 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2930 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2931 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002932 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
2933 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
2934 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00002935 When the optional "at_exit" argument is one, garbage
2936 collection will also be done when exiting Vim, if it wasn't
2937 done before. This is useful when checking for memory leaks.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002938
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002939get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002940 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002941 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2942 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002943get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002944 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002945 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2946 {default} is omitted.
2947
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002948 *getbufline()*
2949getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002950 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2951 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
2952 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002953
2954 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2955
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002956 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2957 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002958
2959 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002960 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002961
2962 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2963 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002964 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002965 returned.
2966
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002967 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002968 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002969
2970 Example: >
2971 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002972
2973getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2974 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2975 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2976 must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00002977 When {varname} is empty returns a dictionary with all the
2978 buffer-local variables.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002979 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2980 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2981 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002982 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2983 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2984 returned, there is no error message.
2985 Examples: >
2986 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2987 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2988<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002989getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002990 Get a single character from the user or input stream.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002991 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2992 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002993 Return zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002994 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002995 not consumed. Return zero if no character available.
2996
2997 Without {expr} and when {expr} is 0 a whole character or
2998 special key is returned. If it is an 8-bit character, the
2999 result is a number. Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
3000 Otherwise a String is returned with the encoded character.
3001 For a special key it's a sequence of bytes starting with 0x80
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003002 (decimal: 128). This is the same value as the string
3003 "\<Key>", e.g., "\<Left>". The returned value is also a
3004 String when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used that is
3005 not included in the character.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003006
3007 When {expr} is 1 only the first byte is returned. For a
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003008 one-byte character it is the character itself as a number.
3009 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003010
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003011 When the user clicks a mouse button, the mouse event will be
3012 returned. The position can then be found in |v:mouse_col|,
3013 |v:mouse_lnum| and |v:mouse_win|. This example positions the
3014 mouse as it would normally happen: >
3015 let c = getchar()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003016 if c == "\<LeftMouse>" && v:mouse_win > 0
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003017 exe v:mouse_win . "wincmd w"
3018 exe v:mouse_lnum
3019 exe "normal " . v:mouse_col . "|"
3020 endif
3021<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003022 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
3023 user that a character has to be typed.
3024 There is no mapping for the character.
3025 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
3026 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
3027 sequence. Examples: >
3028 getchar() == "\<Del>"
3029 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
3030< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
3031 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
3032 :function FindChar()
3033 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
3034 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
3035 : normal l
3036 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
3037 : break
3038 : endif
3039 : endwhile
3040 :endfunction
3041
3042getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
3043 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
3044 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
3045 These values are added together:
3046 2 shift
3047 4 control
3048 8 alt (meta)
3049 16 mouse double click
3050 32 mouse triple click
3051 64 mouse quadruple click
3052 128 Macintosh only: command
3053 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003054 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003055 with no modifier.
3056
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003057getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
3058 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
3059 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
3060 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
3061 Example: >
3062 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003063< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003064
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003065getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003066 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
3067 byte count. The first column is 1.
3068 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
3069 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003070 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
3071
3072getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
3073 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
3074 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003075 : normal Ex command
3076 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
3077 / forward search command
3078 ? backward search command
3079 @ |input()| command
3080 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003081 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
3082 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
3083 otherwise.
3084 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003085
3086 *getcwd()*
3087getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
3088 working directory.
3089
3090getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
3091 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
3092 given file {fname}.
3093 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
3094 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard827ada2007-06-19 15:19:55 +00003095 If the size of {fname} is too big to fit in a Number then -2
3096 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003097
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003098getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
3099 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
3100 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
3101 |hl-Normal|.
3102 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
3103 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
3104 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
3105 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00003106 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003107 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
3108 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003109 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
3110 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003111
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003112getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
3113 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
3114 permissions of the given file {fname}.
3115 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
3116 empty string is returned.
3117 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
3118 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
3119 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
3120 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
3121 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
3122 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
3123< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
3124 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003125
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003126getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
3127 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
3128 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
3129 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
3130 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
3131 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
3132
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003133getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
3134 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
3135 file of the given file {fname}.
3136 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
3137 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
3138 results:
3139 Normal file "file"
3140 Directory "dir"
3141 Symbolic link "link"
3142 Block device "bdev"
3143 Character device "cdev"
3144 Socket "socket"
3145 FIFO "fifo"
3146 All other "other"
3147 Example: >
3148 getftype("/home")
3149< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
3150 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
3151 "file" are returned.
3152
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003153 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003154getline({lnum} [, {end}])
3155 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
3156 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003157 getline(1)
3158< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
3159 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
3160 To get the line under the cursor: >
3161 getline(".")
3162< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
3163 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
3164
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003165 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
3166 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003167 including line {end}.
3168 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
3169 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003170 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003171 Example: >
3172 :let start = line('.')
3173 :let end = search("^$") - 1
3174 :let lines = getline(start, end)
3175
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003176< To get lines from another buffer see |getbufline()|
3177
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00003178getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
3179 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
3180 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
3181 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003182 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
3183 returned. Otherwise, same as getqflist().
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003184
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003185getmatches() *getmatches()*
3186 Returns a |List| with all matches previously defined by
3187 |matchadd()| and the |:match| commands. |getmatches()| is
3188 useful in combination with |setmatches()|, as |setmatches()|
3189 can restore a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|.
3190 Example: >
3191 :echo getmatches()
3192< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3193 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3194 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3195 :let m = getmatches()
3196 :call clearmatches()
3197 :echo getmatches()
3198< [] >
3199 :call setmatches(m)
3200 :echo getmatches()
3201< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3202 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3203 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3204 :unlet m
3205<
3206
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003207getqflist() *getqflist()*
3208 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
3209 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
3210 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
3211 bufname() to get the name
3212 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
3213 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003214 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
3215 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003216 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003217 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003218 text description of the error
3219 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
3220 valid non-zero: recognized error message
3221
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003222 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003223 returned. Quickfix list entries with non-existing buffer
3224 number are returned with "bufnr" set to zero.
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003225
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003226 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
3227 do something with them: >
3228 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
3229 :for d in getqflist()
3230 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
3231 :endfor
3232
3233
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003234getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003235 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003236 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003237 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
3238< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003239 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003240 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
3241 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
3242 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003243 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3244
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003245
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003246getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
3247 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
3248 The value will be one of:
3249 "v" for |characterwise| text
3250 "V" for |linewise| text
3251 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
3252 0 for an empty or unknown register
3253 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
3254 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3255
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003256gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}) *gettabwinvar()*
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003257 Get the value of window-local variable {varname} in window
3258 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
3259 When {varname} starts with "&" get the value of a window-local
3260 option.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003261 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
3262 use |getwinvar()|.
3263 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
3264 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
3265 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
3266 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003267 When {varname} is empty a dictionary with all window-local
3268 variables is returned.
3269 Note that {varname} must be the name without "w:".
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003270 Examples: >
3271 :let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
3272 :echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00003273<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003274 *getwinposx()*
3275getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
3276 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
3277 -1 if the information is not available.
3278
3279 *getwinposy()*
3280getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003281 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003282 information is not available.
3283
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003284getwinvar({winnr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
3285 Like |gettabwinvar()| for the current tabpage.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003286 Examples: >
3287 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
3288 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
3289<
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003290glob({expr} [, {flag}]) *glob()*
3291 Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. See |wildcards| for the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003292 use of special characters.
3293 The result is a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003294 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
3295 characters.
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003296 Unless the optional {flag} argument is given and is non-zero,
3297 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3298 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3299 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003300 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
3301 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
3302
3303 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
3304 any external command. Example: >
3305 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
3306 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
3307< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003308 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003309
3310 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
3311 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
3312
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003313globpath({path}, {expr} [, {flag}]) *globpath()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003314 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
3315 the results. Example: >
3316 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
3317< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
3318 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003319 |glob()|. A path separator is inserted when needed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003320 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
3321 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
3322 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
3323 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
3324 error message.
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003325 Unless the optional {flag} argument is given and is non-zero,
3326 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3327 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3328 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003329
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003330 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
3331 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
3332 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
3333 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003334< Upwards search and limiting the depth of "**" is not
3335 supported, thus using 'path' will not always work properly.
3336
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003337 *has()*
3338has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
3339 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
3340 string. See |feature-list| below.
3341 Also see |exists()|.
3342
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003343
3344has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003345 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
3346 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003347
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00003348haslocaldir() *haslocaldir()*
3349 The result is a Number, which is 1 when the current
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003350 window has set a local path via |:lcd|, and 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003351
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003352hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003353 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
3354 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
3355 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
3356 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003357 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00003358 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
3359 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003360 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
3361 buffer are checked for a match.
3362 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
3363 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
3364 n Normal mode
3365 v Visual mode
3366 o Operator-pending mode
3367 i Insert mode
3368 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
3369 c Command-line mode
3370 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
3371
3372 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003373 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003374 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
3375 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
3376 :endif
3377< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
3378 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
3379
3380histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
3381 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
3382 one of: *hist-names*
3383 "cmd" or ":" command line history
3384 "search" or "/" search pattern history
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003385 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003386 "input" or "@" input line history
3387 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
3388 shifted to become the newest entry.
3389 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
3390 otherwise 0 is returned.
3391
3392 Example: >
3393 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
3394 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
3395< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3396
3397histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003398 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003399 for the possible values of {history}.
3400
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003401 If the parameter {item} evaluates to a String, it is used as a
3402 regular expression. All entries matching that expression will
3403 be removed from the history (if there are any).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003404 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003405 If {item} evaluates to a Number, it will be interpreted as
3406 an index, see |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will
3407 be removed if it exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003408
3409 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
3410 otherwise 0 is returned.
3411
3412 Examples:
3413 Clear expression register history: >
3414 :call histdel("expr")
3415<
3416 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
3417 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
3418<
3419 The following three are equivalent: >
3420 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
3421 :call histdel("search", -1)
3422 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
3423<
3424 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
3425 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
3426 :call histdel("search", -1)
3427 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
3428
3429histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
3430 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
3431 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
3432 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
3433 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
3434 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
3435
3436 Examples:
3437 Redo the second last search from history. >
3438 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
3439
3440< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
3441 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
3442 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
3443<
3444histnr({history}) *histnr()*
3445 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
3446 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
3447 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
3448
3449 Example: >
3450 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
3451<
3452hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
3453 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
3454 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
3455 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
3456 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
3457 item.
3458 *highlight_exists()*
3459 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
3460
3461 *hlID()*
3462hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
3463 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
3464 zero is returned.
3465 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003466 group. For example, to get the background color of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003467 "Comment" group: >
3468 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
3469< *highlightID()*
3470 Obsolete name: highlightID().
3471
3472hostname() *hostname()*
3473 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003474 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003475 256 characters long are truncated.
3476
3477iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
3478 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
3479 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
3480 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
3481 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
3482 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
3483 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
3484 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
3485 can be done.
3486 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
3487 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
3488 UTF-8 and use: >
3489 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
3490< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
3491 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
3492 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
3493 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
3494
3495 *indent()*
3496indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
3497 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
3498 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
3499 |getline()|.
3500 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
3501
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003502
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003503index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003504 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003505 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003506 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
3507 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003508 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
3509 case must match.
3510 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
3511 Example: >
3512 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003513 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003514
3515
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003516input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003517 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
3518 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
3519 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003520 prompt to start a new line.
3521 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3522 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003523 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003524 for lines typed for input().
3525 Example: >
3526 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3527 : echo "Cheers!"
3528 :endif
3529<
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003530 If the optional {text} is present and not empty, this is used
3531 for the default reply, as if the user typed this. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003532 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3533
3534< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3535 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003536 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003537 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003538 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003539 more information. Example: >
3540 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3541<
3542 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3543 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003544 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3545 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3546 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3547 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3548 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3549 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3550 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3551
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003552 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003553 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3554 :function GetFoo()
3555 : call inputsave()
3556 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3557 : call inputrestore()
3558 :endfunction
3559
3560inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
3561 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
3562 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
3563 Example: >
3564 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3565 :if n != ""
3566 : let &sw = n
3567 :endif
3568< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3569 omitted an empty string is returned.
3570 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3571 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003572 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003573
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003574inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003575 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
3576 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
3577 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003578 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003579 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003580 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3581 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3582 is returned.
3583 Make sure {textlist} has less then 'lines' entries, otherwise
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003584 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003585 the start of the string. And put a prompt in the first item.
3586 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003587 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3588 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3589
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003590inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
3591 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
3592 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3593 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3594 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3595
3596inputsave() *inputsave()*
3597 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3598 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3599 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3600 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3601 many inputrestore() calls.
3602 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3603
3604inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3605 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3606 two exceptions:
3607 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3608 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3609 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3610 |history| stack.
3611 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3612 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003613 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003614
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003615insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003616 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003617 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003618 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003619 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3620 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003621 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003622 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3623 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3624 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003625< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003626 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003627 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003628
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003629isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3630 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3631 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3632 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3633 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3634
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003635islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003636 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3637 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003638 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3639 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003640 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3641 :lockvar 1 alist
3642 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3643 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3644
3645< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003646 message. Use |exists()| to check for existence.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003647
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003648items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003649 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3650 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3651 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3652 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003653
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003654
3655join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3656 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3657 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3658 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3659 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3660 add it there too: >
3661 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003662< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003663 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3664 The opposite function is |split()|.
3665
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003666keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003667 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003668 arbitrary order.
3669
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003670 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003671len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3672 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3673 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003674 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003675 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003676 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3677 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003678 Otherwise an error is given.
3679
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003680 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3681libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3682 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3683 with single argument {argument}.
3684 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3685 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3686 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3687 limited.
3688 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3689 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3690 to Vim.
3691 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3692 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3693 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3694 null-terminated string.
3695 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3696
3697 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3698 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3699 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3700 very probably crash.
3701
3702 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3703 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3704 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3705 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3706 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3707 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3708 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3709 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3710 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3711 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3712
3713 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003714 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003715 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3716 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3717 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3718 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3719 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3720 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3721 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3722 feature is present}
3723 Examples: >
3724 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003725<
3726 *libcallnr()*
3727libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3728 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3729 int instead of a string.
3730 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3731 feature is present}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003732 Examples: >
3733 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003734 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3735 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3736<
3737 *line()*
3738line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3739 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3740 . the cursor position
3741 $ the last line in the current buffer
3742 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3743 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003744 w0 first line visible in current window
3745 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar9ecd0232008-06-20 15:31:51 +00003746 v In Visual mode: the start of the Visual area (the
3747 cursor is the end). When not in Visual mode
3748 returns the cursor position. Differs from |'<| in
3749 that it's updated right away.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003750 Note that a mark in another file can be used. The line number
3751 then applies to another buffer.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003752 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
3753 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003754 Examples: >
3755 line(".") line number of the cursor
3756 line("'t") line number of mark t
3757 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3758< *last-position-jump*
3759 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3760 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003761 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 1 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal! g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003762
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003763line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3764 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3765 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3766 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3767 line returns 1.
3768 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3769 below the last line: >
3770 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3771< This is the file size plus one.
3772 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3773 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3774 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3775
3776lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3777 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3778 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3779 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3780 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3781 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3782 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3783
3784localtime() *localtime()*
3785 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3786 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3787
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003788
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003789log10({expr}) *log10()*
3790 Return the logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10 as a |Float|.
3791 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
3792 Examples: >
3793 :echo log10(1000)
3794< 3.0 >
3795 :echo log10(0.01)
3796< -2.0
3797 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
3798
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003799map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003800 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003801 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3802 {string}.
3803 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003804 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003805 Example: >
3806 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003807< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003808
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003809 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003810 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003811 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3812 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003813
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003814 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3815 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003816 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003817
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003818< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003819 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3820 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003821
3822
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003823maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *maparg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003824 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3825 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003826 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003827 "n" Normal
3828 "v" Visual
3829 "o" Operator-pending
3830 "i" Insert
3831 "c" Cmd-line
3832 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3833 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003834 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003835 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3836 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003837 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3838 command. The returned String has special characters
3839 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3840 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3841 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00003842 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
3843 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
3844 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
3845
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003846
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003847mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003848 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3849 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3850 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003851 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3852 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003853 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3854 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3855
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003856 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003857 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3858 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3859 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3860 mapcheck("b") no no no
3861
3862 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3863 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3864 mapping for {name} exactly.
3865 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3866 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3867 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3868 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3869 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3870 then the global mappings.
3871 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3872 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3873 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3874 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3875 :endif
3876< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3877 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3878
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003879match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003880 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
3881 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003882 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003883 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003884 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3885 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003886 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003887 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3888 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003889 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003890 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003891< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003892 *strpbrk()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003893 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003894 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3895< *strcasestr()*
3896 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3897 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3898 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3899<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003900 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003901 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003902 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003903 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003904 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3905< result is again "4". >
3906 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3907< result is again "4". >
3908 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3909< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003910 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003911 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
3912 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
3913 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
3914 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003915 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3916 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003917 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
3918 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003919
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003920 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003921 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003922 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
3923 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
3924< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003925 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
3926 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003927
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003928 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3929 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003930 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003931 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3932
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003933 *matchadd()* *E798* *E799* *E801*
3934matchadd({group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
3935 Defines a pattern to be highlighted in the current window (a
3936 "match"). It will be highlighted with {group}. Returns an
3937 identification number (ID), which can be used to delete the
3938 match using |matchdelete()|.
3939
3940 The optional {priority} argument assigns a priority to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003941 match. A match with a high priority will have its
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003942 highlighting overrule that of a match with a lower priority.
3943 A priority is specified as an integer (negative numbers are no
3944 exception). If the {priority} argument is not specified, the
3945 default priority is 10. The priority of 'hlsearch' is zero,
3946 hence all matches with a priority greater than zero will
3947 overrule it. Syntax highlighting (see 'syntax') is a separate
3948 mechanism, and regardless of the chosen priority a match will
3949 always overrule syntax highlighting.
3950
3951 The optional {id} argument allows the request for a specific
3952 match ID. If a specified ID is already taken, an error
3953 message will appear and the match will not be added. An ID
3954 is specified as a positive integer (zero excluded). IDs 1, 2
3955 and 3 are reserved for |:match|, |:2match| and |:3match|,
3956 respectively. If the {id} argument is not specified,
3957 |matchadd()| automatically chooses a free ID.
3958
3959 The number of matches is not limited, as it is the case with
3960 the |:match| commands.
3961
3962 Example: >
3963 :highlight MyGroup ctermbg=green guibg=green
3964 :let m = matchadd("MyGroup", "TODO")
3965< Deletion of the pattern: >
3966 :call matchdelete(m)
3967
3968< A list of matches defined by |matchadd()| and |:match| are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003969 available from |getmatches()|. All matches can be deleted in
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003970 one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003971
3972matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003973 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003974 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
3975 Return a |List| with two elements:
3976 The name of the highlight group used
3977 The pattern used.
3978 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
3979 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003980 This is useful to save and restore a |:match|.
3981 Highlighting matches using the |:match| commands are limited
3982 to three matches. |matchadd()| does not have this limitation.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003983
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003984matchdelete({id}) *matchdelete()* *E802* *E803*
3985 Deletes a match with ID {id} previously defined by |matchadd()|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003986 or one of the |:match| commands. Returns 0 if successful,
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003987 otherwise -1. See example for |matchadd()|. All matches can
3988 be deleted in one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003989
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003990matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003991 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3992 the match. Example: >
3993 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3994< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003995 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3996 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3997 do it with matchend(): >
3998 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3999 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
4000< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
4001
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004002 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
4003 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
4004< results in "7". >
4005 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
4006< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004007 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004008
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004009matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004010 Same as match(), but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004011 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
4012 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00004013 in |:substitute|. When an optional submatch didn't match an
4014 empty string is used. Example: >
4015 echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
4016< Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004017 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
4018
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004019matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004020 Same as |match()|, but return the matched string. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004021 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
4022< results in "ing".
4023 When there is no match "" is returned.
4024 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
4025 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
4026< results in "ing". >
4027 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
4028< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004029 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004030 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004031
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004032 *max()*
4033max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
4034 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4035 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004036 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004037
4038 *min()*
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00004039min({list}) Return the minimum value of all items in {list}.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004040 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4041 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004042 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004043
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004044 *mkdir()* *E739*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004045mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
4046 Create directory {name}.
4047 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
4048 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
4049 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
4050 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004051 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
Bram Moolenaared39e1d2008-08-09 17:55:22 +00004052 for others. This is only used for the last part of {name}.
4053 Thus if you create /tmp/foo/bar then /tmp/foo will be created
4054 with 0755.
4055 Example: >
4056 :call mkdir($HOME . "/tmp/foo/bar", "p", 0700)
4057< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004058 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4059 :if exists("*mkdir")
4060<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004061 *mode()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004062mode([expr]) Return a string that indicates the current mode.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004063 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
4064 a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then the full mode is
4065 returned, otherwise only the first letter is returned. Note
4066 that " " and "0" are also non-empty strings.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004067
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004068 n Normal
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004069 no Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004070 v Visual by character
4071 V Visual by line
4072 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
4073 s Select by character
4074 S Select by line
4075 CTRL-S Select blockwise
4076 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004077 R Replace |R|
4078 Rv Virtual Replace |gR|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004079 c Command-line
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004080 cv Vim Ex mode |gQ|
4081 ce Normal Ex mode |Q|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004082 r Hit-enter prompt
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004083 rm The -- more -- prompt
4084 r? A |:confirm| query of some sort
4085 ! Shell or external command is executing
4086 This is useful in the 'statusline' option or when used
4087 with |remote_expr()| In most other places it always returns
4088 "c" or "n".
4089 Also see |visualmode()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004090
4091nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
4092 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
4093 that is not blank. Example: >
4094 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
4095< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4096 below it, zero is returned.
4097 See also |prevnonblank()|.
4098
4099nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
4100 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
4101 value {expr}. Examples: >
4102 nr2char(64) returns "@"
4103 nr2char(32) returns " "
4104< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
4105 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
4106< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
4107 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
4108 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004109 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004110
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00004111 *getpid()*
4112getpid() Return a Number which is the process ID of the Vim process.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004113 On Unix and MS-Windows this is a unique number, until Vim
4114 exits. On MS-DOS it's always zero.
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00004115
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004116 *getpos()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004117getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
4118 see |line()|.
4119 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
4120 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4121 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
4122 is the buffer number of the mark.
4123 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4124 column is 1.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004125 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
4126 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00004127 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004128 character.
4129 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
4130 let save_cursor = getpos(".")
4131 MoveTheCursorAround
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004132 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004133< Also see |setpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004134
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004135pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
4136 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
4137 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
4138 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
4139 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
4140 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
4141< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
4142 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
4143
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004144pow({x}, {y}) *pow()*
4145 Return the power of {x} to the exponent {y} as a |Float|.
4146 {x} and {y} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4147 Examples: >
4148 :echo pow(3, 3)
4149< 27.0 >
4150 :echo pow(2, 16)
4151< 65536.0 >
4152 :echo pow(32, 0.20)
4153< 2.0
4154 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4155
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004156prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
4157 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
4158 that is not blank. Example: >
4159 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
4160< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4161 above it, zero is returned.
4162 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
4163
4164
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004165printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
4166 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
4167 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004168 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004169< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004170 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004171
4172 Often used items are:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004173 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004174 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004175 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
4176 %c single byte
4177 %d decimal number
4178 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
4179 %x hex number
4180 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
4181 %X hex number using upper case letters
4182 %o octal number
4183 %f floating point number in the form 123.456
4184 %e floating point number in the form 1.234e3
4185 %E floating point number in the form 1.234E3
4186 %g floating point number, as %f or %e depending on value
4187 %G floating point number, as %f or %E depending on value
4188 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004189
4190 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
4191 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
4192 the result.
4193
4194 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004195 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004196
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004197 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004198
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004199 flags
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004200 Zero or more of the following flags:
4201
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004202 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
4203 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
4204 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
4205 of the number is increased to force the first
4206 character of the output string to a zero (except
4207 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
4208 precision of zero).
4209 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
4210 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
4211 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004212
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004213 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
4214 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
4215 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
4216 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
4217 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004218
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004219 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
4220 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
4221 The converted value is padded on the right with
4222 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
4223 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004224
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004225 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
4226 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004227
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004228 + A sign must always be placed before a number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004229 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004230 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004231
4232 field-width
4233 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004234 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
4235 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
4236 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
4237 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004238
4239 .precision
4240 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
4241 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
4242 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
4243 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
4244 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004245 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004246 For floating point it is the number of digits after
4247 the decimal point.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004248
4249 type
4250 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
4251 be applied, see below.
4252
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004253 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
4254 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004255 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004256 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
4257 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
4258 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004259 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004260< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004261 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004262
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004263 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004264
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004265 *printf-d* *printf-o* *printf-x* *printf-X*
4266 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004267 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
4268 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
4269 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004270 conversions.
4271 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
4272 digits that must appear; if the converted value
4273 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
4274 zeros.
4275 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
4276 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
4277 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
4278 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
4279
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004280 *printf-c*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004281 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
4282 resulting character is written.
4283
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004284 *printf-s*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004285 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
4286 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
4287 specified are used.
4288
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004289 *printf-f* *E807*
4290 f The Float argument is converted into a string of the
4291 form 123.456. The precision specifies the number of
4292 digits after the decimal point. When the precision is
4293 zero the decimal point is omitted. When the precision
4294 is not specified 6 is used. A really big number
4295 (out of range or dividing by zero) results in "inf".
4296 "0.0 / 0.0" results in "nan".
4297 Example: >
4298 echo printf("%.2f", 12.115)
4299< 12.12
4300 Note that roundoff depends on the system libraries.
4301 Use |round()| when in doubt.
4302
4303 *printf-e* *printf-E*
4304 e E The Float argument is converted into a string of the
4305 form 1.234e+03 or 1.234E+03 when using 'E'. The
4306 precision specifies the number of digits after the
4307 decimal point, like with 'f'.
4308
4309 *printf-g* *printf-G*
4310 g G The Float argument is converted like with 'f' if the
4311 value is between 0.001 (inclusive) and 10000000.0
4312 (exclusive). Otherwise 'e' is used for 'g' and 'E'
4313 for 'G'. When no precision is specified superfluous
4314 zeroes and '+' signs are removed, except for the zero
4315 immediately after the decimal point. Thus 10000000.0
4316 results in 1.0e7.
4317
4318 *printf-%*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004319 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
4320 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004321
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00004322 When a Number argument is expected a String argument is also
4323 accepted and automatically converted.
4324 When a Float or String argument is expected a Number argument
4325 is also accepted and automatically converted.
4326 Any other argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004327
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00004328 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004329 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
4330 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004331 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004332
4333
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004334pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
4335 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
4336 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004337 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
4338 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004339
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004340 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004341range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004342 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004343 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
4344 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
4345 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
4346 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
4347 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00004348 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
4349 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
4350 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004351 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004352 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004353 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
4354 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004355 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00004356 range(0) " []
4357 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004358<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004359 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004360readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004361 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
4362 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004363 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
4364 NL appears somewhere).
4365 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
4366 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
4367 added.
4368 - No CR characters are removed.
4369 Otherwise:
4370 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
4371 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
4372 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004373 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
4374 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
4375 lines of a file: >
4376 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
4377 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
4378 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004379< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
4380 are returned, or as many as there are.
4381 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004382 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
4383 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
4384 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004385 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
4386 the result is an empty list.
4387 Also see |writefile()|.
4388
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004389reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
4390 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
4391 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
4392 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
4393 Without an argument it returns the current time.
4394 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
4395 specified in the argument.
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004396 With two arguments it returns the time passed between {start}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004397 and {end}.
4398 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
4399 reltime().
4400 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
4401
4402reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
4403 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
4404 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
4405 microseconds. Example: >
4406 let start = reltime()
4407 call MyFunction()
4408 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
4409< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
4410 The accuracy depends on the system.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004411 Leading spaces are used to make the string align nicely. You
4412 can use split() to remove it. >
4413 echo split(reltimestr(reltime(start)))[0]
4414< Also see |profiling|.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004415 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
4416
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004417 *remote_expr()* *E449*
4418remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004419 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004420 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004421 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
4422 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
4423 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004424 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
4425 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
4426 remote_read() is stored there.
4427 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4428 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4429 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4430 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
4431 and the result will be the empty string.
4432 Examples: >
4433 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
4434 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
4435<
4436
4437remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
4438 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
4439 This works like: >
4440 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
4441< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
4442 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
4443 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004444 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
4445 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004446 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4447 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
4448 Win32 console version}
4449
4450
4451remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
4452 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
4453 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004454 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004455 name of a variable.
4456 Returns zero if none are available.
4457 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
4458 See also |clientserver|.
4459 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4460 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4461 Examples: >
4462 :let repl = ""
4463 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
4464
4465remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
4466 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
4467 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
4468 See also |clientserver|.
4469 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4470 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4471 Example: >
4472 :echo remote_read(id)
4473<
4474 *remote_send()* *E241*
4475remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004476 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004477 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
4478 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004479 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
4480 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
4481 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004482 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4483 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4484 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4485 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
4486 up the display.
4487 Examples: >
4488 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
4489 \ remote_read(serverid)
4490
4491 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
4492 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
4493 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
4494 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004495<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004496remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004497 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004498 return it.
4499 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
4500 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
4501 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
4502 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
4503 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004504 Example: >
4505 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004506 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004507remove({dict}, {key})
4508 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
4509 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
4510< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
4511
4512 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004513
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004514rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
4515 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
4516 should also work to move files across file systems. The
4517 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
4518 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
4519 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4520
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004521repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
4522 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
4523 result. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004524 :let separator = repeat('-', 80)
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004525< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004526 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004527 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004528 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
4529< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004530
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004531
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004532resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
4533 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
4534 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
4535 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
4536 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
4537 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
4538 stopped after 100 iterations.
4539 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
4540 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
4541 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
4542 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
4543 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
4544
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004545 *reverse()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004546reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004547 {list}.
4548 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4549 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
4550
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004551round({expr}) *round()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00004552 Round off {expr} to the nearest integral value and return it
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004553 as a |Float|. If {expr} lies halfway between two integral
4554 values, then use the larger one (away from zero).
4555 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4556 Examples: >
4557 echo round(0.456)
4558< 0.0 >
4559 echo round(4.5)
4560< 5.0 >
4561 echo round(-4.5)
4562< -5.0
4563 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4564
4565
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004566search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004567 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004568 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004569
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004570 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
4571 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004572 'c' accept a match at the cursor position
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004573 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004574 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004575 'p' return number of matching sub-pattern (see below)
4576 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004577 'w' wrap around the end of the file
4578 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
4579 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
4580
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00004581 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
4582 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
4583 flag.
4584
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004585 'ignorecase', 'smartcase' and 'magic' are used.
4586
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004587 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
4588 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
4589 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
4590 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
4591 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
4592< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
4593 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004594 A zero value is equal to not giving the argument.
4595
4596 When the {timeout} argument is given the search stops when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004597 more than this many milli seconds have passed. Thus when
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004598 {timeout} is 500 the search stops after half a second.
4599 The value must not be negative. A zero value is like not
4600 giving the argument.
4601 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004602
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004603 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
4604 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004605 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
4606 *search()-sub-match*
4607 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
4608 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
4609 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004610 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004611
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004612 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
4613 flag is used.
4614
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004615 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
4616 :let n = 1
4617 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
4618 : exe "argument " . n
4619 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
4620 : " first search to find match at start of file
4621 : normal G$
4622 : let flags = "w"
4623 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004624 : s/foo/bar/g
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004625 : let flags = "W"
4626 : endwhile
4627 : update " write the file if modified
4628 : let n = n + 1
4629 :endwhile
4630<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004631 Example for using some flags: >
4632 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
4633< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
4634 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
4635 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
4636 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
4637 line:
4638 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
4639 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
4640 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
4641 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
4642 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
4643
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004644
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004645searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
4646 Search for the declaration of {name}.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004647
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004648 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
4649 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
4650 first match in the function.
4651
4652 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
4653 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
4654 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
4655
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004656 Moves the cursor to the found match.
4657 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4658 Example: >
4659 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
4660 echo getline('.')
4661 endif
4662<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004663 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004664searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
4665 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004666 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
4667 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
4668 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004669 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
4670 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
4671 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
4672 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
4673 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
4674 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004675
4676 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
4677 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
4678 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
4679 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
4680 typical use is: >
4681 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
4682< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
4683
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004684 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
4685 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004686 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004687 outer pair. Implies the 'W' flag.
4688 'm' Return number of matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004689 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004690 Note: it's nearly always a good idea to use the 'W' flag, to
4691 avoid wrapping around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004692
4693 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
4694 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
4695 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
4696 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
4697 or a string.
4698 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
4699 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
4700 and -1 returned.
4701
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004702 For {stopline} and {timeout} see |search()|.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004703
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004704 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
4705 patterns are used like it's on.
4706
4707 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
4708 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
4709 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
4710 if 1
4711 if 2
4712 endif 2
4713 endif 1
4714< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
4715 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
4716 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004717 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004718 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
4719 "endif 2".
4720 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
4721 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
4722 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
4723 the matching start.
4724
4725 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
4726
4727 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
4728 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
4729
4730< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
4731 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
4732 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
4733 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
4734 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
4735 match.
4736 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
4737
4738 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
4739
4740< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
4741 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
4742 highlighting recognized as strings: >
4743
4744 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
4745 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
4746<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004747 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004748searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
4749 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004750 Same as searchpair(), but returns a |List| with the line and
4751 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4752 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004753 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4754 returns [0, 0].
4755>
4756 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
4757<
4758 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
4759
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004760searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *searchpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004761 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004762 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4763 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
4764 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4765 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004766 Example: >
4767 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
4768
4769< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
4770 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
4771 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
4772< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
4773 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
4774
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004775server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
4776 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
4777 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
4778 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4779 Note:
4780 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004781 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004782 before calling any commands that waits for input.
4783 See also |clientserver|.
4784 Example: >
4785 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
4786<
4787serverlist() *serverlist()*
4788 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
4789 When there are no servers or the information is not available
4790 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
4791 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4792 Example: >
4793 :echo serverlist()
4794<
4795setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
4796 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
4797 {val}.
4798 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
4799 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
4800 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
4801 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
4802 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
4803 Examples: >
4804 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
4805 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
4806< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4807
4808setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
4809 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004810 {pos}. The first position is 1.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004811 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
4812 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004813 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
4814 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
4815 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
4816 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
4817 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004818 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
4819 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
4820 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
4821 line.
4822
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004823setline({lnum}, {text}) *setline()*
4824 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {text}.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004825 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004826 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {text} will be
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004827 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004828 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
4829 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004830 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004831< When {text} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004832 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
4833 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
4834< This is equivalent to: >
4835 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
4836 : call setline(n, l)
4837 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004838< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
4839
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004840setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
4841 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
4842 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004843 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
4844 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004845 Otherwise, same as |setqflist()|.
4846 Also see |location-list|.
4847
4848setmatches({list}) *setmatches()*
4849 Restores a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|. Returns 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004850 if successful, otherwise -1. All current matches are cleared
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004851 before the list is restored. See example for |getmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004852
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004853 *setpos()*
4854setpos({expr}, {list})
4855 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
4856 . the cursor
4857 'x mark x
4858
4859 {list} must be a |List| with four numbers:
4860 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4861
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004862 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004863 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004864 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
4865 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
4866 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004867 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004868
4869 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4870 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark.
4871
4872 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
4873 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00004874 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004875 character.
4876
Bram Moolenaar08250432008-02-13 11:42:46 +00004877 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
4878 An error message is given if {expr} is invalid.
4879
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004880 Also see |getpos()|
4881
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004882 This does not restore the preferred column for moving
4883 vertically. See |winrestview()| for that.
4884
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004885
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004886setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004887 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
4888 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
4889 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
4890 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004891
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004892 bufnr buffer number; must be the number of a valid
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004893 buffer
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004894 filename name of a file; only used when "bufnr" is not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004895 present or it is invalid.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004896 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004897 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004898 col column number
4899 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004900 when zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004901 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004902 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004903 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004904
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004905 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
4906 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
4907 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004908 If the "filename" and "bufnr" entries are not present or
4909 neither the "lnum" or "pattern" entries are present, then the
4910 item will not be handled as an error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004911 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
4912 be used.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004913 Note that the list is not exactly the same as what
4914 |getqflist()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004915
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004916 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
4917 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
4918 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
4919 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
4920 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
4921 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
4922
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004923 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
4924
4925 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
4926 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
4927 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
4928
4929
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004930 *setreg()*
4931setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
4932 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
4933 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
4934 then the value is appended.
4935 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
4936 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
4937 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
4938 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
4939 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
4940 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
4941 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00004942 in the longest line (counting a <Tab> as 1 character).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004943
4944 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
4945 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
4946 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
4947 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4948
4949 Examples: >
4950 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
4951 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
4952 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
4953
4954< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
4955 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004956 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004957 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
4958 ....
4959 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
4960
4961< You can also change the type of a register by appending
4962 nothing: >
4963 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
4964
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004965settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabwinvar()*
4966 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
4967 {val}.
4968 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
4969 use |setwinvar()|.
4970 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004971 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
4972 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
4973 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
4974 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004975 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
4976 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
4977 Examples: >
4978 :call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
4979 :call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
4980< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4981
4982setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
4983 Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004984 Examples: >
4985 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
4986 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004987
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004988shellescape({string} [, {special}]) *shellescape()*
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00004989 Escape {string} for use as shell command argument.
4990 On MS-Windows and MS-DOS, when 'shellslash' is not set, it
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004991 will enclose {string} in double quotes and double all double
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00004992 quotes within {string}.
4993 For other systems, it will enclose {string} in single quotes
4994 and replace all "'" with "'\''".
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004995 When the {special} argument is present and it's a non-zero
4996 Number or a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then special
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00004997 items such as "!", "%", "#" and "<cword>" will be preceded by
4998 a backslash. This backslash will be removed again by the |:!|
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004999 command.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005000 The "!" character will be escaped (again with a |non-zero-arg|
5001 {special}) when 'shell' contains "csh" in the tail. That is
5002 because for csh and tcsh "!" is used for history replacement
5003 even when inside single quotes.
5004 The <NL> character is also escaped. With a |non-zero-arg|
5005 {special} and 'shell' containing "csh" in the tail it's
5006 escaped a second time.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005007 Example of use with a |:!| command: >
5008 :exe '!dir ' . shellescape(expand('<cfile>'), 1)
5009< This results in a directory listing for the file under the
5010 cursor. Example of use with |system()|: >
5011 :call system("chmod +w -- " . shellescape(expand("%")))
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005012
5013
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005014simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
5015 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
5016 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
5017 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
5018 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
5019 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
5020 not removed either.
5021 Example: >
5022 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
5023< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
5024 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
5025 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
5026 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
5027 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
5028
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005029
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005030sin({expr}) *sin()*
5031 Return the sine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
5032 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5033 Examples: >
5034 :echo sin(100)
5035< -0.506366 >
5036 :echo sin(-4.01)
5037< 0.763301
5038 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5039
5040
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005041sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005042 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
5043 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
5044 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
5045< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005046 Numbers sort after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005047 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005048 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005049 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
5050 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005051 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
5052 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
5053 sorts before the second one. Example: >
5054 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
5055 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
5056 endfunc
5057 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005058<
5059
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00005060 *soundfold()*
5061soundfold({word})
5062 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005063 language in 'spelllang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00005064 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
5065 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00005066 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
5067 the method can be quite slow.
5068
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005069 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00005070spellbadword([{sentence}])
5071 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
5072 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
5073 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
5074 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
5075
5076 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
5077 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
5078 result is an empty string.
5079
5080 The return value is a list with two items:
5081 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
5082 - The type of the spelling error:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005083 "bad" spelling mistake
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00005084 "rare" rare word
5085 "local" word only valid in another region
5086 "caps" word should start with Capital
5087 Example: >
5088 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
5089< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
5090
5091 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
5092 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
5093 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005094
5095 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005096spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005097 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005098 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
5099 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
5100
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005101 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
5102 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
5103 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
5104
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005105 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
5106 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00005107 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
5108 replace a line.
5109
5110 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005111 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
5112 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005113
5114 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00005115 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
5116 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005117
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005118
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005119split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005120 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
5121 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
5122 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005123 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005124 removing the matched characters.
5125 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
5126 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00005127 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
5128 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005129 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005130 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005131< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005132 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00005133< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
5134 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
5135< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005136 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
5137 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
5138< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005139
5140
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005141sqrt({expr}) *sqrt()*
5142 Return the non-negative square root of Float {expr} as a
5143 |Float|.
5144 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|. When {expr}
5145 is negative the result is NaN (Not a Number).
5146 Examples: >
5147 :echo sqrt(100)
5148< 10.0 >
5149 :echo sqrt(-4.01)
5150< nan
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005151 "nan" may be different, it depends on system libraries.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005152 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5153
5154
5155str2float( {expr}) *str2float()*
5156 Convert String {expr} to a Float. This mostly works the same
5157 as when using a floating point number in an expression, see
5158 |floating-point-format|. But it's a bit more permissive.
5159 E.g., "1e40" is accepted, while in an expression you need to
5160 write "1.0e40".
5161 Text after the number is silently ignored.
5162 The decimal point is always '.', no matter what the locale is
5163 set to. A comma ends the number: "12,345.67" is converted to
5164 12.0. You can strip out thousands separators with
5165 |substitute()|: >
5166 let f = str2float(substitute(text, ',', '', 'g'))
5167< {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5168
5169
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00005170str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
5171 Convert string {expr} to a number.
5172 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 8, 10 or 16.
5173 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
5174 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
5175 with the default String to Number conversion.
5176 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
5177 different base the result will be zero.
5178 Text after the number is silently ignored.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005179
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00005180
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005181strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
5182 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
5183 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
5184 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
5185 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
5186 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
5187 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
5188 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
5189 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
5190 Examples: >
5191 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
5192 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
5193 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
5194 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
5195 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
5196 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005197< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
5198 :if exists("*strftime")
5199
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005200stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
5201 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
5202 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005203 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
5204 This can be used to find a second match: >
5205 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
5206 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
5207< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005208 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005209 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005210 See also |strridx()|.
5211 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005212 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
5213 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
5214 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005215< *strstr()* *strchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005216 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
5217 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
5218
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005219 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005220string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005221 Float, String or a composition of them, then the result can be
5222 parsed back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005223 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005224 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005225 Number 123
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005226 Float 123.123456 or 1.123456e8
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005227 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005228 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00005229 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005230 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005231 Also see |strtrans()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005232
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005233 *strlen()*
5234strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00005235 {expr} in bytes.
5236 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
5237 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005238
5239 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00005240<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005241 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
5242 For other types an error is given.
5243 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005244
5245strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
5246 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00005247 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005248 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
5249 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
5250 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
5251 end of the {src}. >
5252 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
5253 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
5254 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005255 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005256< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
5257 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00005258 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005259<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005260strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
5261 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
5262 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
5263 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
5264 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
5265 match: >
5266 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
5267 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
5268< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005269 For pattern searches use |match()|.
5270 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00005271 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005272 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005273 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005274< *strrchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005275 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
5276 function strrchr().
5277
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005278strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
5279 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
5280 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
5281 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
5282 echo strtrans(@a)
5283< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
5284 starting a new line.
5285
5286submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
5287 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
5288 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
5289 the whole matched text is returned.
5290 Example: >
5291 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
5292< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
5293 A line break is included as a newline character.
5294
5295substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
5296 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
5297 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
5298 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
5299 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
5300 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005301 'ignorecase' is still relevant. 'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005302 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
5303 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
5304 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005305 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005306 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
5307 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
5308 unmodified.
5309 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
5310 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
5311 Example: >
5312 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
5313< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
5314 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
5315< results in "TESTING".
5316
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005317synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005318 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005319 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005320 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
5321 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00005322
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005323 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00005324 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
5325
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005326 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005327 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005328 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
5329 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
5330 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
5331 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
5332 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
5333
5334 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
5335 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
5336<
5337synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
5338 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
5339 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
5340 about a syntax item.
5341 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005342 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005343 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
5344 used (GUI, cterm or term).
5345 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
5346 {what} result
5347 "name" the name of the syntax item
5348 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
5349 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
5350 term: empty string)
5351 "bg" background color (like "fg")
5352 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
5353 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
5354 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
5355 "bold" "1" if bold
5356 "italic" "1" if italic
5357 "reverse" "1" if reverse
5358 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
5359 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005360 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005361
5362 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
5363 cursor): >
5364 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
5365<
5366synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
5367 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
5368 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
5369 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
5370 ":highlight link" are followed.
5371
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005372synstack({lnum}, {col}) *synstack()*
5373 Return a |List|, which is the stack of syntax items at the
5374 position {lnum} and {col} in the current window. Each item in
5375 the List is an ID like what |synID()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005376 The first item in the List is the outer region, following are
5377 items contained in that one. The last one is what |synID()|
5378 returns, unless not the whole item is highlighted or it is a
5379 transparent item.
5380 This function is useful for debugging a syntax file.
5381 Example that shows the syntax stack under the cursor: >
5382 for id in synstack(line("."), col("."))
5383 echo synIDattr(id, "name")
5384 endfor
5385
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00005386system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
5387 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
5388 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
5389 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
5390 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005391 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005392 Note: Use |shellescape()| to escape special characters in a
5393 command argument. Newlines in {expr} may cause the command to
5394 fail. The characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may
5395 also cause trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005396 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005397
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005398 The result is a String. Example: >
5399 :let files = system("ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h')))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005400
5401< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
5402 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
5403 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
5404 The command executed is constructed using several options:
5405 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
5406 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
5407 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
5408 concatenated commands.
5409
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005410 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
5411 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
5412
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005413 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
5414 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00005415
5416 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
5417 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
5418 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005419 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
5420 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
5421
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005422
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005423tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005424 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005425 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
5426 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
5427 omitted the current tab page is used.
5428 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
5429 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
5430 tablist = []
5431 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
5432 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
5433 endfor
5434< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
5435
5436
5437tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00005438 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
5439 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
5440 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
5441 page is returned (the tab page count).
5442 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
5443
5444
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005445tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
5446 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {arg}.
5447 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
5448 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
5449 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
5450 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
5451 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
5452 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
5453 Useful examples: >
5454 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
5455 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
5456< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
5457
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00005458 *tagfiles()*
5459tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
5460 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
5461
5462
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005463taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
5464 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00005465 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
5466 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005467 name Name of the tag.
5468 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005469 defined. It is either relative to the
5470 current directory or a full path.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005471 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
5472 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005473 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005474 entry depends on the language specific
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005475 kind values. Only available when
5476 using a tags file generated by
5477 Exuberant ctags or hdrtag.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005478 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005479 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005480 More entries may be present, depending on the content of the
5481 tags file: access, implementation, inherits and signature.
5482 Refer to the ctags documentation for information about these
5483 fields. For C code the fields "struct", "class" and "enum"
5484 may appear, they give the name of the entity the tag is
5485 contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005486
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00005487 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
5488 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005489
5490 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
5491
5492 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
5493 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
5494 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
5495
5496 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
5497 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
5498 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
5499
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005500tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
5501 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005502 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005503 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
5504 :let tmpfile = tempname()
5505 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
5506< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
5507 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
5508 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
5509 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
5510 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
5511 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
5512
5513tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
5514 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
5515 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
5516 the string).
5517
5518toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
5519 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
5520 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
5521 the string).
5522
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00005523tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
5524 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
5525 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
5526 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
5527 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
5528 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
5529 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
5530
5531 Examples: >
5532 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
5533< returns "Hello THere" >
5534 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
5535< returns "{blob}"
5536
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005537trunc({expr}) *trunc()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005538 Return the largest integral value with magnitude less than or
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005539 equal to {expr} as a |Float| (truncate towards zero).
5540 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5541 Examples: >
5542 echo trunc(1.456)
5543< 1.0 >
5544 echo trunc(-5.456)
5545< -5.0 >
5546 echo trunc(4.0)
5547< 4.0
5548 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5549
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005550 *type()*
5551type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005552 Number: 0
5553 String: 1
5554 Funcref: 2
5555 List: 3
5556 Dictionary: 4
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005557 Float: 5
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005558 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005559 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
5560 :if type(myvar) == type("")
5561 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
5562 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005563 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005564 :if type(myvar) == type(0.0)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005565
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005566values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005567 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005568 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005569
5570
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005571virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
5572 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
5573 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
5574 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
5575 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
5576 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
5577 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
5578 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00005579 For the byte position use |col()|.
5580 For the use of {expr} see |col()|.
5581 When 'virtualedit' is used {expr} can be [lnum, col, off], where
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005582 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005583 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005584 character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005585 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
5586 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
5587 The accepted positions are:
5588 . the cursor position
5589 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
5590 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
5591 plus one)
5592 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
5593 returned)
5594 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
5595 Examples: >
5596 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
5597 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005598 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
5599< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005600 A more advanced example that echoes the maximum length of
5601 all lines: >
5602 echo max(map(range(1, line('$')), "virtcol([v:val, '$'])"))
5603
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005604
5605visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
5606 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005607 used in the current buffer. Initially it returns an empty
5608 string, but once Visual mode has been used, it returns "v",
5609 "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a single CTRL-V character) for
5610 character-wise, line-wise, or block-wise Visual mode
5611 respectively.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005612 Example: >
5613 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
5614< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
5615 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
5616 Visual mode that was used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005617 If Visual mode is active, use |mode()| to get the Visual mode
5618 (e.g., in a |:vmap|).
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005619 *non-zero-arg*
5620 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
5621 a non-empty String, then the Visual mode will be cleared and
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005622 the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005623 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared. A List,
5624 Dictionary or Float is not a Number or String, thus does not
5625 cause the mode to be cleared.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005626
5627 *winbufnr()*
5628winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005629 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005630 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
5631 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5632 Example: >
5633 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
5634<
5635 *wincol()*
5636wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
5637 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
5638 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
5639
5640winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
5641 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
5642 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
5643 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5644 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
5645 Examples: >
5646 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
5647<
5648 *winline()*
5649winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005650 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005651 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00005652 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
5653 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005654
5655 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005656winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
5657 window. The top window has number 1.
5658 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00005659 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005660 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
5661 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005662 If there is no previous window or it is in another tab page 0
5663 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005664 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
5665 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005666 Also see |tabpagewinnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005667
5668 *winrestcmd()*
5669winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
5670 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005671 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
5672 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005673 Example: >
5674 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
5675 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
5676 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005677<
5678 *winrestview()*
5679winrestview({dict})
5680 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
5681 the view of the current window.
5682 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
5683 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
5684
5685 *winsaveview()*
5686winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
5687 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
5688 restore the view.
5689 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
5690 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
5691 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005692 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
5693 not opened when moving around.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005694 The return value includes:
5695 lnum cursor line number
5696 col cursor column
5697 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
5698 curswant column for vertical movement
5699 topline first line in the window
5700 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
5701 leftcol first column displayed
5702 skipcol columns skipped
5703 Note that no option values are saved.
5704
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005705
5706winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
5707 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
5708 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
5709 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5710 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
5711 Examples: >
5712 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
5713 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
5714 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
5715 :endif
5716<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005717 *writefile()*
5718writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005719 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005720 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
5721 Number.
5722 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
5723 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
5724 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
5725 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
5726 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
5727 to writefile().
5728 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
5729 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
5730 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
5731 fails.
5732 Also see |readfile()|.
5733 To copy a file byte for byte: >
5734 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
5735 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
5736<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005737
5738 *feature-list*
5739There are three types of features:
57401. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
5741 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
5742 :if has("cindent")
57432. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
5744 Example: >
5745 :if has("gui_running")
5746< *has-patch*
57473. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
5748 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
5749 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
5750 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005751< Note that it's possible for patch 147 to be omitted even though 148 is
5752 included.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005753
5754all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
5755amiga Amiga version of Vim.
5756arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
5757arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00005758autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005759balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00005760balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005761beos BeOS version of Vim.
5762browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
5763 work.
5764builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
5765byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
5766cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
5767clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
5768clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
5769cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
5770cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
5771cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
5772comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
5773cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
5774cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
5775compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
5776debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
5777dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
5778dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
5779diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
5780digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
5781dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
5782dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
5783dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
5784ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
5785emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
5786eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
5787 true, of course!
5788ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
5789extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
5790 |'hlsearch'|
5791farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
5792file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005793filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
5794 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005795find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
5796 |+find_in_path|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005797float Compiled with support for |Float|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005798fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
5799 Windows this is not present).
5800folding Compiled with |folding| support.
5801footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
5802fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
5803gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
5804gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
5805gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005806gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
5807gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005808gui_gnome Compiled with Gnome support (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005809gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
5810gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
5811gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
5812gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
5813gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
5814gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
5815hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
5816iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
5817insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
5818 Insert mode.
5819jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
5820keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
5821langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
5822libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
5823linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
5824 support.
5825lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
5826listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
5827 and the argument list |arglist|.
5828localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
5829mac Macintosh version of Vim.
5830macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
5831menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
5832mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
5833modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
5834mouse Compiled with support mouse.
5835mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
5836mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
5837mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
5838mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
5839mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005840mouse_sysmouse Compiled with support for sysmouse (*BSD console mouse)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005841mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
5842multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
5843multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
5844multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00005845mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005846netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00005847netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005848ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
5849os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
5850osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
5851path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
5852perl Compiled with Perl interface.
5853postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
5854printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005855profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005856python Compiled with Python interface.
5857qnx QNX version of Vim.
5858quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00005859reltime Compiled with |reltime()| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005860rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
5861ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
5862scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
5863showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
5864signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
5865smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00005866sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005867statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
5868 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
5869sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00005870spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
5871syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005872syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
5873 current buffer.
5874system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
5875tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
5876 |tag-binary-search|.
5877tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
5878 |tag-old-static|.
5879tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
5880 files |tag-any-white|.
5881tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
5882terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
5883termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
5884textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
5885tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
5886 or terminfo file.
5887title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
5888toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
5889unix Unix version of Vim.
5890user_commands User-defined commands.
5891viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
5892vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
5893vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
5894virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
5895visual Compiled with Visual mode.
5896visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
5897 |blockwise-operators|.
5898vms VMS version of Vim.
5899vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
5900wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
5901wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
5902windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
5903winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
5904win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
5905win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
5906win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
5907win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
5908win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
5909writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
5910xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
5911xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
5912xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
5913xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
5914xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
5915xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
5916 xterm screen.
5917x11 Compiled with X11 support.
5918
5919 *string-match*
5920Matching a pattern in a String
5921
5922A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
5923the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
5924everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
5925like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
5926line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
5927with ".". Example: >
5928 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
5929 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
5930 aa
5931 xx
5932 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
5933 a
5934 x
5935
5936Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
5937"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
5938"\n".
5939
5940==============================================================================
59415. Defining functions *user-functions*
5942
5943New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
5944functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
5945commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
5946
5947The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
5948builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
5949avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
5950the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
5951
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005952It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
5953|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005954
5955 *local-function*
5956A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
5957can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
5958and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005959function from a mapping defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005960instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
5961
5962 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
5963:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
5964
5965:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005966 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5967 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005968 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005969
5970:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
5971 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
5972 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005973<
5974 *:function-verbose*
5975When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
5976last defined. Example: >
5977
5978 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
5979 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
5980 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
5981<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00005982See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005983
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005984 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005985:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005986 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
5987 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
5988 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005989
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005990 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5991 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005992 :function dict.init(arg)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005993< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005994 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005995 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005996 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
5997 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
5998 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005999 *E127* *E122*
6000 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
6001 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
6002 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
6003 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006004
6005 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
6006
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006007 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
6008 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
6009 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
6010 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
6011 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
6012 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
6013 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006014
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006015 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
6016 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006017
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006018 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006019 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006020 local variable "self" will then be set to the
6021 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006022
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006023 *function-search-undo*
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00006024 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006025 will not be changed by the function. This also
6026 implies that the effect of |:nohlsearch| is undone
6027 when the function returns.
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00006028
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006029 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
6030:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
6031 by its own, without other commands.
6032
6033 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
6034:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006035 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6036 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006037 :delfunc dict.init
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006038< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006039 function is deleted if there are no more references to
6040 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006041 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
6042:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
6043 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
6044 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
6045 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
6046 the number 0 is returned.
6047 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
6048 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
6049
6050 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
6051 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
6052 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
6053 are executed first. This process applies to all
6054 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
6055 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
6056
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006057 *function-argument* *a:var*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006058An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006059be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006060 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740* *...*
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006061Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
6062arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
6063may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
6064as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006065can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
6066that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006067 *E742*
6068The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00006069However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can change their contents.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006070Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
6071it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
6072|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006073
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006074When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
6075to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
6076may be larger.
6077
6078It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
6079still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
6080until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
6081inside a function body.
6082
6083 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006084Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
6085will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
6086accessed with "g:".
6087
6088Example: >
6089 :function Table(title, ...)
6090 : echohl Title
6091 : echo a:title
6092 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006093 : echo a:0 . " items:"
6094 : for s in a:000
6095 : echon ' ' . s
6096 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006097 :endfunction
6098
6099This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006100 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
6101 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006102
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006103To return more than one value, return a |List|: >
6104 :function Compute(n1, n2)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006105 : if a:n2 == 0
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006106 : return ["fail", 0]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006107 : endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006108 : return ["ok", a:n1 / a:n2]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006109 :endfunction
6110
6111This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006112 :let [success, div] = Compute(102, 6)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006113 :if success == "ok"
6114 : echo div
6115 :endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006116<
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00006117 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006118:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
6119 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
6120 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006121 used. The returned value is discarded.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006122 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
6123 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
6124 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
6125 function.
6126 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
6127 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
6128 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
6129 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006130 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006131 this works:
6132 *function-range-example* >
6133 :function Mynumber(arg)
6134 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
6135 :endfunction
6136 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
6137<
6138 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
6139 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
6140 the range.
6141
6142 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
6143
6144 :function Cont() range
6145 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
6146 :endfunction
6147 :4,8call Cont()
6148<
6149 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
6150 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
6151
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006152 When the function returns a composite value it can be further
6153 dereferenced, but the range will not be used then. Example: >
6154 :4,8call GetDict().method()
6155< Here GetDict() gets the range but method() does not.
6156
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006157 *E132*
6158The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
6159option.
6160
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006161
6162AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006163 *autoload-functions*
6164When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006165only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
6166the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
6167
6168
6169Using an autocommand ~
6170
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006171This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
6172
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006173The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
6174You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006175That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006176again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
6177
6178Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
6179function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006180
6181 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
6182
6183The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
6184"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
6185
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006186
6187Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006188 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006189This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
6190
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006191Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
6192exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
6193like this: >
6194
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006195 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006196
6197When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
6198"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
6199"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
6200then define the function like this: >
6201
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006202 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006203 echo "Done!"
6204 endfunction
6205
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00006206The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006207exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
6208called.
6209
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006210It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
6211a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006212
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006213 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006214
6215Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
6216
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006217This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
6218
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006219 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006220
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00006221However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
6222for an unknown variable.
6223
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006224When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
6225be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
6226
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006227 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
6228 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006229
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00006230Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
6231defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
6232function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006233And you will get an error message every time.
6234
6235Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006236other and vice versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006237Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006238
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00006239Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
6240|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
6241
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006242==============================================================================
62436. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
6244
6245Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
6246This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
6247{} like this: >
6248 my_{adjective}_variable
6249
6250When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
6251that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
6252name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
6253"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
6254"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
6255
6256One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006257value. For example, the statement >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006258 echo my_{&background}_message
6259
6260would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
6261on the current value of 'background'.
6262
6263You can use multiple brace pairs: >
6264 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
6265..or even nest them: >
6266 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
6267where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
6268
6269However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00006270variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006271 :let foo='a + b'
6272 :echo c{foo}d
6273.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
6274
6275 *curly-braces-function-names*
6276You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
6277Example: >
6278 :let func_end='whizz'
6279 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
6280
6281This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
6282
6283==============================================================================
62847. Commands *expression-commands*
6285
6286:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
6287 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
6288 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
6289 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
6290 is created.
6291
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00006292:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
6293 Set a list item to the result of the expression
6294 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
6295 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
6296 the index can be repeated.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006297 This cannot be used to add an item to a |List|.
6298 This cannot be used to set a byte in a String. You
6299 can do that like this: >
6300 :let var = var[0:2] . 'X' . var[4:]
6301<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006302 *E711* *E719*
6303:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006304 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
6305 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006306 correct number of items.
6307 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
6308 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
6309 When the selected range of items is partly past the
6310 end of the list, items will be added.
6311
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00006312 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006313:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
6314:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
6315:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
6316 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
6317 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
6318
6319
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006320:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
6321 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
6322 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006323:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
6324 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
6325 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
6326 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006327
6328:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
6329 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
6330 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
6331 must be the name of a writable register (see
6332 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
6333 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
6334 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
6335 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
6336 characterwise.
6337 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
6338 :let @/ = ""
6339< This is different from searching for an empty string,
6340 that would match everywhere.
6341
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006342:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006343 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006344 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
6345
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006346:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-&*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006347 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006348 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
6349 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006350 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
6351 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00006352 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006353 Example: >
6354 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006355
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006356:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
6357 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
6358 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
6359
6360:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
6361:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
6362 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
6363 {expr1}.
6364
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006365:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006366:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
6367:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
6368:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006369 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
6370 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
6371
6372:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006373:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
6374:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
6375:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006376 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
6377 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
6378
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00006379:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006380 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006381 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
6382 {name2}, etc.
6383 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006384 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006385 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
6386 command as mentioned above.
6387 Example: >
6388 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006389< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
6390 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
6391 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
6392 :let x = [0, 1]
6393 :let i = 0
6394 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
6395 :echo x
6396< The result is [0, 2].
6397
6398:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
6399:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
6400:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
6401 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006402 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006403
6404:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006405 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006406 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
6407 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
6408 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006409 Example: >
6410 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
6411<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006412:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
6413:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
6414:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
6415 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006416 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006417 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006418:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00006419 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
6420 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00006421 g: global variables
6422 b: local buffer variables
6423 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00006424 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00006425 s: script-local variables
6426 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00006427 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006428
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00006429:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
6430 variable is indicated before the value:
6431 <nothing> String
6432 # Number
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006433 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006434
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006435
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006436:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108* *E795*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006437 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
6438 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006439 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006440 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
6441 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006442 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00006443 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
6444 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006445< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00006446 :unlet dict['two']
6447 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00006448< This is especially useful to clean up used global
6449 variables and script-local variables (these are not
6450 deleted when the script ends). Function-local
6451 variables are automatically deleted when the function
6452 ends.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006453
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006454:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
6455 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
6456 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
6457 A locked variable can be deleted: >
6458 :lockvar v
6459 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
6460 :unlet v
6461< *E741*
6462 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
6463 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
6464
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006465 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
6466 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
6467 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006468 cannot add or remove items, but can
6469 still change their values.
6470 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006471 the items. If an item is a |List| or
6472 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006473 items, but can still change the
6474 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006475 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
6476 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
6477 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
6478 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
6479 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006480 *E743*
6481 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
6482 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
6483 loops.
6484
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006485 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
6486 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00006487 locked when used through the other variable.
6488 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006489 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
6490 :let cl = l
6491 :lockvar l
6492 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
6493< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
6494 See |deepcopy()|.
6495
6496
6497:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
6498 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
6499 opposite of |:lockvar|.
6500
6501
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006502:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
6503:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6504 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6505
6506 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
6507 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
6508 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
6509 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
6510 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
6511 part was not executed either.
6512
6513 You can use this to remain compatible with older
6514 versions: >
6515 :if version >= 500
6516 : version-5-specific-commands
6517 :endif
6518< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
6519 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
6520 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
6521 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
6522 avoid problems: >
6523 :if version >= 600
6524 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
6525 :endif
6526<
6527 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
6528 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
6529
6530 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
6531:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6532 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
6533 executed.
6534
6535 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
6536:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
6537 is no extra ":endif".
6538
6539:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006540 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006541:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
6542 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6543 When an error is detected from a command inside the
6544 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006545 Example: >
6546 :let lnum = 1
6547 :while lnum <= line("$")
6548 :call FixLine(lnum)
6549 :let lnum = lnum + 1
6550 :endwhile
6551<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006552 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006553 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006554
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006555:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006556:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
6557 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006558 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006559 value of each item.
6560 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006561 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00006562 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
6563 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006564 :for item in copy(mylist)
6565< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
6566 next item in the list, before executing the commands
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006567 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006568 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
6569 it will not be found. Thus the following example
6570 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
6571 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006572 :call remove(mylist, 0)
6573 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006574< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
6575 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
6576 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006577 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
6578 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
6579 to allow multiple item types.
6580
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006581:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
6582:endfo[r]
6583 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
6584 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
6585 {var2}, etc. Example: >
6586 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
6587 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
6588 :endfor
6589<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006590 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006591:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
6592 to the start of the loop.
6593 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6594 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6595 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6596 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6597 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6598 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006599
6600 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006601:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
6602 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
6603 ":endfor".
6604 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6605 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6606 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6607 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6608 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6609 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006610
6611:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
6612:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
6613 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
6614 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
6615 or autocommand invocations.
6616
6617 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
6618 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
6619 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
6620 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
6621 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
6622 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
6623 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
6624 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
6625 Example: >
6626 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
6627 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
6628<
6629 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
6630 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
6631 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
6632 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
6633 processing is not terminated.
6634
6635 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
6636 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
6637 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
6638 other errors are converted to a value of the form
6639 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
6640 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
6641 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
6642 the error number.
6643 Examples: >
6644 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
6645 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
6646<
6647 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
6648:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
6649 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
6650 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
6651 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
6652 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
6653 commands are skipped.
6654 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
6655 Examples: >
6656 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
6657 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
6658 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
6659 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
6660 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
6661 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
6662 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
6663 :catch " same as /.*/
6664<
6665 Another character can be used instead of / around the
6666 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
6667 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
6668 {pattern}.
6669 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
6670 an error message because it may vary in different
6671 locales.
6672
6673 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
6674:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
6675 are executed whenever the part between the matching
6676 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
6677 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
6678 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
6679 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
6680
6681 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
6682:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
6683 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
6684 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
6685 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
6686 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
6687 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
6688 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
6689 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
6690 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
6691 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
6692 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
6693 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
6694 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
6695 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
6696 is terminated.
6697 Example: >
6698 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
6699<
6700
6701 *:ec* *:echo*
6702:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
6703 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
6704 Also see |:comment|.
6705 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
6706 cursor to the first column.
6707 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6708 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6709 Example: >
6710 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006711< *:echo-redraw*
6712 A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
6713 And since Vim mostly postpones redrawing until it's
6714 finished with a sequence of commands this happens
6715 quite often. To avoid that a command from before the
6716 ":echo" causes a redraw afterwards (redraws are often
6717 postponed until you type something), force a redraw
6718 with the |:redraw| command. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006719 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
6720<
6721 *:echon*
6722:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
6723 |:comment|.
6724 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6725 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6726 Example: >
6727 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
6728<
6729 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
6730 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
6731 command: >
6732 :!echo % --> filename
6733< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
6734 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
6735< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
6736 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
6737 :echo % --> nothing
6738< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
6739 :echo "%" --> %
6740< This just echoes the '%' character. >
6741 :echo expand("%") --> filename
6742< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
6743
6744 *:echoh* *:echohl*
6745:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
6746 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
6747 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
6748 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
6749< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
6750 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
6751
6752 *:echom* *:echomsg*
6753:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
6754 message in the |message-history|.
6755 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6756 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
6757 displayed, not interpreted.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006758 The parsing works slightly different from |:echo|,
6759 more like |:execute|. All the expressions are first
6760 evaluated and concatenated before echoing anything.
6761 The expressions must evaluate to a Number or String, a
6762 Dictionary or List causes an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006763 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6764 Example: >
6765 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006766< See |:echo-redraw| to avoid the message disappearing
6767 when the screen is redrawn.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006768 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
6769:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
6770 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
6771 script or function the line number will be added.
6772 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006773 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006774 the message is raised as an error exception instead
6775 (see |try-echoerr|).
6776 Example: >
6777 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
6778< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
6779 And to get a beep: >
6780 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
6781<
6782 *:exe* *:execute*
6783:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
6784 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006785 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006786 used as the processed command, command line editing
6787 keys are not recognized.
6788 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6789 Examples: >
6790 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
6791 :execute "normal " count . "w"
6792<
6793 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
6794 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
6795 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
6796
6797< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
6798 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
6799 command: >
6800 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
6801< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
6802
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006803 Be careful to correctly escape special characters in
6804 file names. The |fnameescape()| function can be used
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00006805 for Vim commands, |shellescape()| for |:!| commands.
6806 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006807 :execute "e " . fnameescape(filename)
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00006808 :execute "!ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h'), 1)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006809<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006810 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006811 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
6812 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006813 :execute 'while i > 5'
6814 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
6815<
6816 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
6817 completely in the executed string: >
6818 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
6819<
6820
6821 *:comment*
6822 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
6823 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
6824 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
6825 comment. Example: >
6826 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
6827
6828==============================================================================
68298. Exception handling *exception-handling*
6830
6831The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
6832explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
6833
6834Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
6835|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
6836exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
6837
6838
6839TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
6840
6841Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
6842use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
6843a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
6844 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
6845|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
6846a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
6847be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
6848which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
6849clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
6850
6851 :try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006852 : ...
6853 : ... TRY BLOCK
6854 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006855 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006856 : ...
6857 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6858 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006859 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006860 : ...
6861 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6862 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006863 :finally
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006864 : ...
6865 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
6866 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006867 :endtry
6868
6869The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
6870appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
6871from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
6872 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
6873is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
6874script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
6875 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
6876lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
6877patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
6878after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
6879executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
6880":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
6881(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
6882continues in the following line as usual.
6883 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
6884":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
6885that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
6886finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
6887the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
6888the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
6889see |try-nesting|.
6890 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006891remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006892not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
6893try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
6894a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
6895execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
6896exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6897 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006898thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006899clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
6900catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
6901following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
6902clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6903
6904The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
6905a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
6906try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
6907from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
6908sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
6909":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
6910":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
6911from the finally clause.
6912 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
6913try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
6914clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
6915":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
6916clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
6917":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
6918this pending exception or command is discarded.
6919
6920For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
6921
6922
6923NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
6924
6925Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
6926conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
6927clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
6928catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
6929of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
6930checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
6931try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006932otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006933nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
6934one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
6935the inner try conditional.
6936
6937When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
6938finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
6939An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
6940thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
6941implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
6942as usual.
6943
6944For examples see |throw-catch|.
6945
6946
6947EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
6948
6949Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
6950'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
6951script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
6952finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
6953a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
6954(see |debug-scripts|).
6955
6956
6957THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
6958
6959You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
6960and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
6961 :throw 4711
6962 :throw "string"
6963< *throw-expression*
6964You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
6965first, and the result is thrown: >
6966 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
6967 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
6968
6969An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
6970command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
6971The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
6972 Example: >
6973
6974 :function! Foo(arg)
6975 : try
6976 : throw a:arg
6977 : catch /foo/
6978 : endtry
6979 : return 1
6980 :endfunction
6981 :
6982 :function! Bar()
6983 : echo "in Bar"
6984 : return 4710
6985 :endfunction
6986 :
6987 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
6988
6989This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
6990executed. >
6991 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
6992however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
6993
6994Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006995abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006996exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
6997 Example: >
6998
6999 :if Foo("arrgh")
7000 : echo "then"
7001 :else
7002 : echo "else"
7003 :endif
7004
7005Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
7006
7007 *catch-order*
7008Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
7009commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
7010command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
7011gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
7012 Example: >
7013
7014 :function! Foo(value)
7015 : try
7016 : throw a:value
7017 : catch /^\d\+$/
7018 : echo "Number thrown"
7019 : catch /.*/
7020 : echo "String thrown"
7021 : endtry
7022 :endfunction
7023 :
7024 :call Foo(0x1267)
7025 :call Foo('string')
7026
7027The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
7028An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
7029specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
7030specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
7031
7032 : catch /.*/
7033 : echo "String thrown"
7034 : catch /^\d\+$/
7035 : echo "Number thrown"
7036
7037The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
7038never taken.
7039
7040 *throw-variables*
7041If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
7042in the variable |v:exception|: >
7043
7044 : catch /^\d\+$/
7045 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
7046
7047You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
7048|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
7049exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
7050 Example: >
7051
7052 :function! Caught()
7053 : if v:exception != ""
7054 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
7055 : else
7056 : echo 'Nothing caught'
7057 : endif
7058 :endfunction
7059 :
7060 :function! Foo()
7061 : try
7062 : try
7063 : try
7064 : throw 4711
7065 : finally
7066 : call Caught()
7067 : endtry
7068 : catch /.*/
7069 : call Caught()
7070 : throw "oops"
7071 : endtry
7072 : catch /.*/
7073 : call Caught()
7074 : finally
7075 : call Caught()
7076 : endtry
7077 :endfunction
7078 :
7079 :call Foo()
7080
7081This displays >
7082
7083 Nothing caught
7084 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
7085 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
7086 Nothing caught
7087
7088A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
7089number in the script or function where it has been used: >
7090
7091 :function! LineNumber()
7092 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
7093 :endfunction
7094 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
7095<
7096 *try-nested*
7097An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
7098a surrounding try conditional: >
7099
7100 :try
7101 : try
7102 : throw "foo"
7103 : catch /foobar/
7104 : echo "foobar"
7105 : finally
7106 : echo "inner finally"
7107 : endtry
7108 :catch /foo/
7109 : echo "foo"
7110 :endtry
7111
7112The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
7113clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
7114conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
7115
7116 *throw-from-catch*
7117You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
7118catch clause: >
7119
7120 :function! Foo()
7121 : throw "foo"
7122 :endfunction
7123 :
7124 :function! Bar()
7125 : try
7126 : call Foo()
7127 : catch /foo/
7128 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
7129 : throw "bar"
7130 : endtry
7131 :endfunction
7132 :
7133 :try
7134 : call Bar()
7135 :catch /.*/
7136 : echo "Caught" v:exception
7137 :endtry
7138
7139This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
7140
7141 *rethrow*
7142There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
7143"v:exception" instead: >
7144
7145 :function! Bar()
7146 : try
7147 : call Foo()
7148 : catch /.*/
7149 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
7150 : throw v:exception
7151 : endtry
7152 :endfunction
7153< *try-echoerr*
7154Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
7155exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
7156Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
7157denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
7158the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
7159
7160 :try
7161 : try
7162 : asdf
7163 : catch /.*/
7164 : echoerr v:exception
7165 : endtry
7166 :catch /.*/
7167 : echo v:exception
7168 :endtry
7169
7170This code displays
7171
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007172 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007173
7174
7175CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
7176
7177Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
7178user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007179an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007180a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
7181catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
7182a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
7183normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
7184(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007185to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007186clause has been executed.)
7187Example: >
7188
7189 :try
7190 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
7191 : set ts=17
7192 :
7193 : " Do the hard work here.
7194 :
7195 :finally
7196 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
7197 : unlet s:saved_ts
7198 :endtry
7199
7200This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
7201changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
7202that function or script part.
7203
7204 *break-finally*
7205Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
7206a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
7207 Example: >
7208
7209 :let first = 1
7210 :while 1
7211 : try
7212 : if first
7213 : echo "first"
7214 : let first = 0
7215 : continue
7216 : else
7217 : throw "second"
7218 : endif
7219 : catch /.*/
7220 : echo v:exception
7221 : break
7222 : finally
7223 : echo "cleanup"
7224 : endtry
7225 : echo "still in while"
7226 :endwhile
7227 :echo "end"
7228
7229This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
7230
7231 :function! Foo()
7232 : try
7233 : return 4711
7234 : finally
7235 : echo "cleanup\n"
7236 : endtry
7237 : echo "Foo still active"
7238 :endfunction
7239 :
7240 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
7241
7242This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007243extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007244return value.)
7245
7246 *except-from-finally*
7247Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
7248a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
7249cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
7250exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
7251 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
7252working correctly: >
7253
7254 :try
7255 : try
7256 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
7257 : while 1
7258 : endwhile
7259 : finally
7260 : unlet novar
7261 : endtry
7262 :catch /novar/
7263 :endtry
7264 :echo "Script still running"
7265 :sleep 1
7266
7267If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
7268think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
7269|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
7270
7271
7272CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
7273
7274If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
7275watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
7276presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
7277exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
7278the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
7279the error exception is.
7280 Error exceptions have the following format: >
7281
7282 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
7283or >
7284 Vim:{errmsg}
7285
7286{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007287the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007288when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
7289a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
7290a space.
7291
7292Examples:
7293
7294The command >
7295 :unlet novar
7296normally produces the error message >
7297 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7298which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7299 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
7300
7301The command >
7302 :dwim
7303normally produces the error message >
7304 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
7305which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7306 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
7307
7308You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
7309 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
7310or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
7311 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
7312
7313Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
7314 :function nofunc
7315and >
7316 :delfunction nofunc
7317both produce the error message >
7318 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7319which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7320 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7321or >
7322 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7323respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
7324command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
7325 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
7326
7327Some commands like >
7328 :let x = novar
7329produce multiple error messages, here: >
7330 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7331 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7332Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
7333one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
7334 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
7335
7336You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
7337 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
7338
7339You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
7340 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
7341
7342You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
7343 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
7344<
7345 *catch-text*
7346NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
7347 :catch /No such variable/
7348only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
7349a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
7350cite the message text in a comment: >
7351 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
7352
7353
7354IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
7355
7356You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
7357
7358 :try
7359 : write
7360 :catch
7361 :endtry
7362
7363But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
7364catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
7365be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
7366
7367 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
7368
7369There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
7370writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
7371then hide the error from the user.
7372 It is much better to use >
7373
7374 :try
7375 : write
7376 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7377 :endtry
7378
7379which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
7380intentionally.
7381
7382For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
7383even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
7384command: >
7385 :silent! nunmap k
7386This works also when a try conditional is active.
7387
7388
7389CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
7390
7391When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007392the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007393script is not terminated, then.
7394 Example: >
7395
7396 :function! TASK1()
7397 : sleep 10
7398 :endfunction
7399
7400 :function! TASK2()
7401 : sleep 20
7402 :endfunction
7403
7404 :while 1
7405 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
7406 : try
7407 : if command == ""
7408 : continue
7409 : elseif command == "END"
7410 : break
7411 : elseif command == "TASK1"
7412 : call TASK1()
7413 : elseif command == "TASK2"
7414 : call TASK2()
7415 : else
7416 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
7417 : continue
7418 : endif
7419 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
7420 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
7421 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
7422 : endtry
7423 :endwhile
7424
7425You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007426a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007427
7428For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
7429your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
7430command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
7431
7432
7433CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
7434
7435The commands >
7436
7437 :catch /.*/
7438 :catch //
7439 :catch
7440
7441catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
7442explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
7443a script in order to catch unexpected things.
7444 Example: >
7445
7446 :try
7447 :
7448 : " do the hard work here
7449 :
7450 :catch /MyException/
7451 :
7452 : " handle known problem
7453 :
7454 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
7455 : echo "Script interrupted"
7456 :catch /.*/
7457 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
7458 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
7459 :endtry
7460 :" end of script
7461
7462Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
7463strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
7464specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
7465 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
7466by pressing CTRL-C: >
7467
7468 :while 1
7469 : try
7470 : sleep 1
7471 : catch
7472 : endtry
7473 :endwhile
7474
7475
7476EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
7477
7478Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
7479
7480 :autocmd User x try
7481 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
7482 :autocmd User x catch
7483 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
7484 :autocmd User x endtry
7485 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
7486 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
7487 :
7488 :try
7489 : doautocmd User x
7490 :catch
7491 : echo v:exception
7492 :endtry
7493
7494This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
7495
7496 *except-autocmd-Pre*
7497For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
7498command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
7499of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
7500abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
7501 Example: >
7502
7503 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
7504 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
7505 :
7506 :try
7507 : write
7508 :catch
7509 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
7510 :endtry
7511
7512Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
7513you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
7514autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
7515script displays: >
7516
7517 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
7518<
7519 *except-autocmd-Post*
7520For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
7521command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
7522an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
7523is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
7524 Example: >
7525
7526 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
7527 :
7528 :try
7529 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7530 :catch
7531 : echo v:exception
7532 :endtry
7533
7534This just displays: >
7535
7536 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
7537
7538If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
7539fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
7540 Example: >
7541
7542 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
7543 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
7544 :
7545 :try
7546 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7547 :catch
7548 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7549 :endtry
7550<
7551You can also use ":silent!": >
7552
7553 :let x = "ok"
7554 :let v:errmsg = ""
7555 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
7556 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
7557 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
7558 :try
7559 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7560 :catch
7561 :endtry
7562 :echo x
7563
7564This displays "after fail".
7565
7566If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
7567autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
7568
7569 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
7570 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
7571 :
7572 :try
7573 : write
7574 :catch
7575 : echo v:exception
7576 :endtry
7577<
7578 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
7579For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
7580autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
7581of the command.
7582 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007583had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007584some way. >
7585
7586 :if !exists("cnt")
7587 : let cnt = 0
7588 :
7589 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
7590 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
7591 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
7592 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7593 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7594 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
7595 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
7596 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7597 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7598 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
7599 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7600 :endif
7601 :
7602 :try
7603 : write
7604 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
7605 : if &modified
7606 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
7607 : else
7608 : echo "Error after writing"
7609 : endif
7610 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7611 : echo "Error on writing"
7612 :endtry
7613
7614When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
7615first >
7616 File successfully written!
7617then >
7618 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
7619then >
7620 Error after writing
7621etc.
7622
7623 *except-autocmd-ill*
7624You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
7625The following code is ill-formed: >
7626
7627 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
7628 :
7629 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
7630 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
7631 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
7632 :
7633 :write
7634
7635
7636EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
7637
7638Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
7639pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
7640similar things in Vim.
7641 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
7642class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
7643string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
7644 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
7645it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
7646for an error when writing "myfile".
7647 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
7648base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
7649parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
7650 Example: >
7651
7652 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
7653 : if a:a < 0
7654 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
7655 : endif
7656 :endfunction
7657 :
7658 :function! Add(a, b)
7659 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
7660 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
7661 : let c = a:a + a:b
7662 : if c < 0
7663 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
7664 : endif
7665 : return c
7666 :endfunction
7667 :
7668 :function! Div(a, b)
7669 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
7670 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
7671 : if (a:b == 0)
7672 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
7673 : endif
7674 : return a:a / a:b
7675 :endfunction
7676 :
7677 :function! Write(file)
7678 : try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007679 : execute "write" fnameescape(a:file)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007680 : catch /^Vim(write):/
7681 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
7682 : endtry
7683 :endfunction
7684 :
7685 :try
7686 :
7687 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
7688 :
7689 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
7690 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
7691 : echo "Range error in" function
7692 :
7693 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
7694 : echo "Math error"
7695 :
7696 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
7697 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
7698 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
7699 : if file !~ '^/'
7700 : let file = dir . "/" . file
7701 : endif
7702 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
7703 :
7704 :catch /^EXCEPT/
7705 : echo "Unspecified error"
7706 :
7707 :endtry
7708
7709The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
7710a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
7711exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
7712 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
7713failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
7714
7715
7716PECULIARITIES
7717 *except-compat*
7718The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
7719exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
7720and/or a catch clause.
7721
7722In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
7723continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
7724after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
7725functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
7726or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
7727(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
7728
7729This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
7730immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007731conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
7732be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007733termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
7734catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
7735by specifying a finally clause.)
7736
7737When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
7738behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
7739scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
7740
7741However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
7742commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
7743conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
7744script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
7745error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
7746messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007747|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
7748not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007749where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
7750error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
7751scripts.
7752
7753 *except-syntax-err*
7754Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
7755the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
7756clauses, however, is executed.
7757 Example: >
7758
7759 :try
7760 : try
7761 : throw 4711
7762 : catch /\(/
7763 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
7764 : catch
7765 : echo "inner catch-all"
7766 : finally
7767 : echo "inner finally"
7768 : endtry
7769 :catch
7770 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
7771 : finally
7772 : echo "outer finally"
7773 :endtry
7774
7775This displays: >
7776 inner finally
7777 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
7778 outer finally
7779The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
7780
7781 *except-single-line*
7782The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
7783a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
7784"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
7785 Example: >
7786 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
7787raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
7788argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
7789error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
7790displayed.
7791
7792 *except-several-errors*
7793When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
7794usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
7795 Example: >
7796 echo novar
7797causes >
7798 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7799 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7800The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7801 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
7802< *except-syntax-error*
7803But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
7804the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
7805 Example: >
7806 unlet novar #
7807causes >
7808 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7809 E488: Trailing characters
7810The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7811 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
7812This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
7813not intended by the user. Example: >
7814 try
7815 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
7816 catch /.*/
7817 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
7818 endtry
7819This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
7820a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
7821
7822==============================================================================
78239. Examples *eval-examples*
7824
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007825Printing in Binary ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007826>
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007827 :" The function Nr2Bin() returns the Hex string of a number.
7828 :func Nr2Bin(nr)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007829 : let n = a:nr
7830 : let r = ""
7831 : while n
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007832 : let r = '01'[n % 2] . r
7833 : let n = n / 2
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007834 : endwhile
7835 : return r
7836 :endfunc
7837
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007838 :" The function String2Bin() converts each character in a string to a
7839 :" binary string, separated with dashes.
7840 :func String2Bin(str)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007841 : let out = ''
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007842 : for ix in range(strlen(a:str))
7843 : let out = out . '-' . Nr2Bin(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
7844 : endfor
7845 : return out[1:]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007846 :endfunc
7847
7848Example of its use: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007849 :echo Nr2Bin(32)
7850result: "100000" >
7851 :echo String2Bin("32")
7852result: "110011-110010"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007853
7854
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007855Sorting lines ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007856
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007857This example sorts lines with a specific compare function. >
7858
7859 :func SortBuffer()
7860 : let lines = getline(1, '$')
7861 : call sort(lines, function("Strcmp"))
7862 : call setline(1, lines)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007863 :endfunction
7864
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007865As a one-liner: >
7866 :call setline(1, sort(getline(1, '$'), function("Strcmp")))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007867
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007868
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007869scanf() replacement ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007870 *sscanf*
7871There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
7872line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
7873how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
7874"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
7875 :" Set up the match bit
7876 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
7877 :"get the part matching the whole expression
7878 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
7879 :"get each item out of the match
7880 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
7881 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
7882 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
7883
7884The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
7885"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
7886
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007887
7888getting the scriptnames in a Dictionary ~
7889 *scriptnames-dictionary*
7890The |:scriptnames| command can be used to get a list of all script files that
7891have been sourced. There is no equivalent function or variable for this
7892(because it's rarely needed). In case you need to manipulate the list this
7893code can be used: >
7894 " Get the output of ":scriptnames" in the scriptnames_output variable.
7895 let scriptnames_output = ''
7896 redir => scriptnames_output
7897 silent scriptnames
7898 redir END
7899
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007900 " Split the output into lines and parse each line. Add an entry to the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007901 " "scripts" dictionary.
7902 let scripts = {}
7903 for line in split(scriptnames_output, "\n")
7904 " Only do non-blank lines.
7905 if line =~ '\S'
7906 " Get the first number in the line.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007907 let nr = matchstr(line, '\d\+')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007908 " Get the file name, remove the script number " 123: ".
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007909 let name = substitute(line, '.\+:\s*', '', '')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007910 " Add an item to the Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007911 let scripts[nr] = name
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007912 endif
7913 endfor
7914 unlet scriptnames_output
7915
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007916==============================================================================
791710. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
7918
7919When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
7920evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
7921to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
7922recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
7923and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
7924only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
7925recognized.
7926
7927Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
7928missing: >
7929
7930 :if 1
7931 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
7932 :else
7933 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
7934 :endif
7935
7936==============================================================================
793711. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
7938
7939The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
7940options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
7941these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007942these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00007943a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007944The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007945
7946These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
7947 - changing the buffer text
7948 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
7949 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007950 - setting certain v: variables (see |v:var|) *E794*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007951 - executing a shell command
7952 - reading or writing a file
7953 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00007954 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007955This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
7956
7957 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00007958:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007959 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
7960 'foldexpr'.
7961
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007962 *sandbox-option*
7963A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00007964have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007965restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
7966location. Insecure in this context are:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00007967- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directory
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007968- while executing in the sandbox
7969- value coming from a modeline
7970
7971Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
7972option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
7973
7974==============================================================================
797512. Textlock *textlock*
7976
7977In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
7978to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
7979is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007980actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007981happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
7982
7983This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
7984 - changing the buffer text
7985 - jumping to another buffer or window
7986 - editing another file
7987 - closing a window or quitting Vim
7988 - etc.
7989
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007990
7991 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: