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Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2005 Jan 31
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
13|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|
18 1.3 Lists |List|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000031
32{Vi does not have any of these commands}
33
34==============================================================================
351. Variables *variables*
36
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000371.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000038 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000039There are four types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000040
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000041Number A 32 bit signed number.
42 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
43
44String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
45 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
46
47Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
48 Example: function("strlen")
49
50List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
51 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000052
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000053The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
54are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000055
56Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
57the Number. Examples: >
58 Number 123 --> String "123"
59 Number 0 --> String "0"
60 Number -1 --> String "-1"
61
62Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
63to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
64the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
65 String "456" --> Number 456
66 String "6bar" --> Number 6
67 String "foo" --> Number 0
68 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
69 String "0100" --> Number 64
70 String "-8" --> Number -8
71 String "+8" --> Number 0
72
73To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
74 :echo "0100" + 0
75
76For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
77
78Note that in the command >
79 :if "foo"
80"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
81use strlen(): >
82 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000083< *E728* *E729* *E730* *E731*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000084List and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000085
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000086 *E706*
87You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
88to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000089equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000090 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000091 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000092 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000093
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000094
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000951.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000096 *Funcref* *E695* *E703* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000097A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000098in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
99around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000100
101 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
102 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000103< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000104A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:" or "b:". You cannot
105have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000106
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000107A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
108Dictionary entry. Example: >
109 :function dict.init() dict
110 : let self.val = 0
111 :endfunction
112
113The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
114function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
115
116A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
117 :call Fn()
118 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000119
120The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000121 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000122
123You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
124arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000125 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000126
127
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001281.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000129 *List* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000130A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
131can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
132position in the sequence.
133
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000134
135List creation ~
136 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000137A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000138Examples: >
139 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
140 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000141
142An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143nested List: >
144 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000145
146An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
147
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000148
149List index ~
150 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000151An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000152after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
153 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000154 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000155
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000156When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000157 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000158<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000159A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
160the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000161 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
162
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000163To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000164is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000165 :echo get(mylist, idx)
166 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
167
168
169List concatenation ~
170
171Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
172 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000173 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000174
175To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
176it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
177
178
179Sublist ~
180
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000181A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
182separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000183 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000184
185Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
186similar to -1. The difference is that there is no error if the items are not
187available. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000188 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
189 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
190 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000191
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000192The second index can be just before the first index. In that case the result
193is an empty list. If the second index is lower, this results in an error. >
194 :echo mylist[2:1] " result: []
195 :echo mylist[2:0] " error!
196
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000197
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000198List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000199 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000200When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
201variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
202change "bb": >
203 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
204 :let bb = aa
205 :call add(aa, 4)
206 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000207< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000208
209Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
210works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000211a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
213 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000214 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000215 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
216 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000217< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000218 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000219< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000220
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000221To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000222copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000223
224The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000225List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000226the same value. >
227 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
228 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
229 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000230< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000231 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000232< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000233
234
235List unpack ~
236
237To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
238square brackets, like list items: >
239 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
240
241When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
242this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
243and a variable name: >
244 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
245
246This works like: >
247 :let var1 = mylist[0]
248 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000249 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000250
251Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
252empty list then.
253
254
255List modification ~
256 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000257To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000258 :let list[4] = "four"
259 :let listlist[0][3] = item
260
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000261To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000262modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000263 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
264
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000265Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
266examples: >
267 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
268 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
269 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000270 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000271 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
272 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000273 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000274 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000275 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000276 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000277
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000278Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000279 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
280 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
281
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000282
283For loop ~
284
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000285The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
286to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000287 :for item in mylist
288 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000289 :endfor
290
291This works like: >
292 :let index = 0
293 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000294 : let item = mylist[index]
295 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000296 : let index = index + 1
297 :endwhile
298
299Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000300results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000301the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000302
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000303If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000304function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000305
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000306Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
307requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
308 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
309 : call Doit(lnum, col)
310 :endfor
311
312This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
313must remain the same to avoid an error.
314
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000315It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000316 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
317 : call Doit(i, j)
318 : if !empty(rest)
319 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
320 : endif
321 :endfor
322
323
324List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000325 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000326Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000327 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000328 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000329 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
330 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
331 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000332 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
333 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000334 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
335 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000336 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
337 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000338 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
339 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000340
341
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003421.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000343 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000344A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000345entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
346ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000347
348
349Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000350 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000351A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000352braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
353only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000354 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
355 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000356< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000357A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
358String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000359entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
360Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000361
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000362A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000363nested Dictionary: >
364 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
365
366An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
367
368
369Accessing entries ~
370
371The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
372 :let val = mydict["one"]
373 :let mydict["four"] = 4
374
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000375You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000376
377For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
378form can be used |expr-entry|: >
379 :let val = mydict.one
380 :let mydict.four = 4
381
382Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
383key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000384 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000385
386
387Dictionary to List conversion ~
388
389You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
390turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
391
392Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
393 :for key in keys(mydict)
394 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
395 :endfor
396
397The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
398 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
399
400To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
401 :for v in values(mydict)
402 : echo "value: " . v
403 :endfor
404
405If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000406a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000407 :for entry in items(mydict)
408 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
409 :endfor
410
411
412Dictionary identity ~
413
414Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
415Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
416Dictionary: >
417 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
418 :let adict = onedict
419 :let adict['a'] = 11
420 :echo onedict['a']
421 11
422
423For more info see |list-identity|.
424
425
426Dictionary modification ~
427 *dict-modification*
428To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
429use |:let| this way: >
430 :let dict[4] = "four"
431 :let dict['one'] = item
432
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000433Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
434Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
435 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
436 :unlet dict.aaa
437 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000438
439Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000440 :call extend(adict, bdict)
441This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
442in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000443Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
444expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
445adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000446
447Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000448 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
449This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000450
451
452Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000453 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000454When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
455special way with a dictionary. Example: >
456 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000457 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000458 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000459 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
460 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000461
462This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
463Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
464the function was invoked from.
465
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000466It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
467Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
468
469 *numbered-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000470To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
471assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000472 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
473 :function mydict.len() dict
474 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000475 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000476 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000477
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000478The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
479that references this function. The function can only be used through a
480|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
481remaining that refers to it.
482
483It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000484
485
486Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000487 *E715*
488Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000489 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
490 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
491 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
492 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
493 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
494 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
495 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
496 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000497
498
4991.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000500 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000501If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
502function.
503
504When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
505start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
506stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
507
508When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
509start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
510stored in the session file |session-file|.
511
512variable name can be stored where ~
513my_var_6 not
514My_Var_6 session file
515MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
516
517
518It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
519|curly-braces-names|.
520
521==============================================================================
5222. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
523
524Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
525
526|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
527
528|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
529
530|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
531
532|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
533 expr5 != expr5 not equal
534 expr5 > expr5 greater than
535 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
536 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
537 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
538 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
539 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
540
541 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
542 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
543 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
544 matching case
545
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000546 expr5 is expr5 same List instance
547 expr5 isnot expr5 different List instance
548
549|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000550 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
551 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
552
553|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
554 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
555 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
556
557|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
558 - expr7 unary minus
559 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000560
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000561
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000562|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a List
563 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a List
564 expr8.name entry in a Dictionary
565 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with Funcref variable
566
567|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000568 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000569 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000570 [expr1, ...] List
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000571 {expr1: expr1, ...} Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000572 &option option value
573 (expr1) nested expression
574 variable internal variable
575 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
576 $VAR environment variable
577 @r contents of register 'r'
578 function(expr1, ...) function call
579 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
580
581
582".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
583Example: >
584 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
585
586All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
587
588
589expr1 *expr1* *E109*
590-----
591
592expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
593
594The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
595non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
596otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
597Example: >
598 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
599
600Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
601other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
602Example: >
603 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
604
605To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
606 :echo lnum == 1
607 :\ ? "top"
608 :\ : lnum == 1000
609 :\ ? "last"
610 :\ : lnum
611
612
613expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
614---------------
615
616 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
617The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
618are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
619
620 input output ~
621n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
622zero zero zero zero
623zero non-zero non-zero zero
624non-zero zero non-zero zero
625non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
626
627The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
628
629 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
630
631Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
632
633 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
634
635Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
636arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
637
638 let a = 1
639 echo a || b
640
641This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
642so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
643
644 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
645
646This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
647only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
648
649
650expr4 *expr4*
651-----
652
653expr5 {cmp} expr5
654
655Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
656if it evaluates to true.
657
658 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
659 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
660 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
661 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
662 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
663 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000664 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000665 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
666equal == ==# ==?
667not equal != !=# !=?
668greater than > ># >?
669greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
670smaller than < <# <?
671smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
672regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
673regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000674same instance is
675different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000676
677Examples:
678"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
679"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
680"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
681
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000682 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000683A List can only be compared with a List and only "equal", "not equal" and "is"
684can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively. Ignoring
685case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
686
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000687 *E735* *E736*
688A Dictionary can only be compared with a Dictionary and only "equal", "not
689equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the Dictionary,
690recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
691
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000692 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000693A Funcref can only be compared with a Funcref and only "equal" and "not equal"
694can be used. Case is never ignored.
695
696When using "is" or "isnot" with a List this checks if the expressions are
697referring to the same List instance. A copy of a List is different from the
698original List. When using "is" without a List it is equivalent to using
699"equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
700different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
701is false.
702
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000703When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
704and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
705because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
706
707When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
708results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
709necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
710
711When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
712'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
713
714When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
715'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
716
717The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
718argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
719This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
720matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
721portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
722single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
723Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
724(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
725can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
726 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
727 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
728
729
730expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
731---------------
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000732expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or List concatenation *expr-+*
733expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
734expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000735
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000736For Lists only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The result
737is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
738
739expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
740expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
741expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000742
743For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
744
745Note the difference between "+" and ".":
746 "123" + "456" = 579
747 "123" . "456" = "123456"
748
749When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
750When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
751
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000752None of these work for Funcrefs.
753
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000754
755expr7 *expr7*
756-----
757! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
758- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
759+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
760
761For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
762For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
763For '+' the number is unchanged.
764
765A String will be converted to a Number first.
766
767These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
768 !-1 == 0
769 !!8 == 1
770 --9 == 9
771
772
773expr8 *expr8*
774-----
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000775expr8[expr1] item of String or List *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000776
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000777If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
778expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000779Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000780
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000781Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
782text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
783cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000784 :let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1]
785
786If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000787String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
788compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
789
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000790If expr8 is a List then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000791for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
792error. Example: >
793 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
794
795Generally, if a List index is equal to or higher than the length of the List,
796or more negative than the length of the List, this results in an error.
797
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000798
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000799expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000800
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000801If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
802from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000803expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
804encodings.
805
806If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
807string minus one is used.
808
809A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
810the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
811
812If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
813expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
814
815Examples: >
816 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
817 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
818 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
819 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
820
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000821If expr8 is a List this results in a new List with the items indicated by the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000822indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained just
823above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
824 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
825 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
826 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
827
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000828Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a Funcref results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000829
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000830
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000831expr8.name entry in a Dictionary *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000832
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000833If expr8 is a Dictionary and it is followed by a dot, then the following name
834will be used as a key in the Dictionary. This is just like: expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000835
836The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
837but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
838
839There must not be white space before or after the dot.
840
841Examples: >
842 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
843 :echo dict.one
844 :echo dict .2
845
846Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
847always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
848
849
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000850expr8(expr1, ...) Funcref function call
851
852When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
853
854
855
856 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000857number
858------
859number number constant *expr-number*
860
861Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
862
863
864string *expr-string* *E114*
865------
866"string" string constant *expr-quote*
867
868Note that double quotes are used.
869
870A string constant accepts these special characters:
871\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
872\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
873\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
874\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
875\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
876\X.. same as \x..
877\X. same as \x.
878\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
879 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
880\U.... same as \u....
881\b backspace <BS>
882\e escape <Esc>
883\f formfeed <FF>
884\n newline <NL>
885\r return <CR>
886\t tab <Tab>
887\\ backslash
888\" double quote
889\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
890
891Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
892
893
894literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
895---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000896'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000897
898Note that single quotes are used.
899
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000900This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000901meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000902
903Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
904to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
905 if a =~ "\\s*"
906 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000907
908
909option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
910------
911&option option value, local value if possible
912&g:option global option value
913&l:option local option value
914
915Examples: >
916 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
917 if &insertmode
918
919Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
920and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
921anyway.
922
923
924register *expr-register*
925--------
926@r contents of register 'r'
927
928The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
929Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
930register use @" or @@. The '=' register can not be used here. See
931|registers| for an explanation of the available registers.
932
933
934nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
935-------
936(expr1) nested expression
937
938
939environment variable *expr-env*
940--------------------
941$VAR environment variable
942
943The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
944result is an empty string.
945 *expr-env-expand*
946Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
947expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
948are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
949the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
950fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
951does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
952 :echo $version
953 :echo expand("$version")
954The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
955variable (if your shell supports it).
956
957
958internal variable *expr-variable*
959-----------------
960variable internal variable
961See below |internal-variables|.
962
963
964function call *expr-function* *E116* *E117* *E118* *E119* *E120*
965-------------
966function(expr1, ...) function call
967See below |functions|.
968
969
970==============================================================================
9713. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
972 *E461*
973An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
974cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
975|curly-braces-names|.
976
977An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000978An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
979|:unlet|.
980Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
981been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000982
983There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
984specified by what is prepended:
985
986 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
987|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
988|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
989|global-variable| g: Global.
990|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
991|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
992|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
993|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
994
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +0000995The scope name by itself can be used as a Dictionary. For example, to delete
996all script-local variables: >
997 :for k in keys(s:)
998 : unlet s:[k]
999 :endfor
1000<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001001 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1002A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1003Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1004This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1005|:bdelete|.
1006
1007One local buffer variable is predefined:
1008 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1009b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1010 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1011 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1012 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1013 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1014 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1015 : call My_Update()
1016 :endif
1017<
1018 *window-variable* *w:var*
1019A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1020is deleted when the window is closed.
1021
1022 *global-variable* *g:var*
1023Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1024access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1025place if you like.
1026
1027 *local-variable* *l:var*
1028Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1029But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1030
1031 *script-variable* *s:var*
1032In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1033accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1034
1035They can be used in:
1036- commands executed while the script is sourced
1037- functions defined in the script
1038- autocommands defined in the script
1039- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1040 defined in the script (recursively)
1041- user defined commands defined in the script
1042Thus not in:
1043- other scripts sourced from this one
1044- mappings
1045- etc.
1046
1047script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1048Take this example:
1049
1050 let s:counter = 0
1051 function MyCounter()
1052 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1053 echo s:counter
1054 endfunction
1055 command Tick call MyCounter()
1056
1057You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1058that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1059"Tick" was defined is used.
1060
1061Another example that does the same: >
1062
1063 let s:counter = 0
1064 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1065
1066When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001067script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001068defined.
1069
1070The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1071function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1072
1073 let s:counter = 0
1074 function StartCounting(incr)
1075 if a:incr
1076 function MyCounter()
1077 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1078 endfunction
1079 else
1080 function MyCounter()
1081 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1082 endfunction
1083 endif
1084 endfunction
1085
1086This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1087when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1088called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1089
1090When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1091They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1092maintain a counter: >
1093
1094 if !exists("s:counter")
1095 let s:counter = 1
1096 echo "script executed for the first time"
1097 else
1098 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1099 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1100 endif
1101
1102Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1103variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1104
1105
1106Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1107
1108 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1109v:charconvert_from
1110 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1111 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1112
1113 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1114v:charconvert_to
1115 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1116 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1117
1118 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1119v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1120 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1121 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1122 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1123 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1124 possible to append this variable directly after the
1125 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1126 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1127 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1128 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1129 in 'printexpr'.
1130
1131 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1132v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1133 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1134 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1135 can be used.
1136
1137 *v:count* *count-variable*
1138v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1139 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1140 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1141< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1142 get when typing ':' after a count.
1143 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1144
1145 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1146v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1147 used.
1148
1149 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1150v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1151 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1152 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1153 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1154 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1155 command.
1156 See |multi-lang|.
1157
1158 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1159v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1160 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1161 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1162 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1163 Example: >
1164 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1165<
1166 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1167v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1168 Example: >
1169 :let v:errmsg = ""
1170 :silent! next
1171 :if v:errmsg != ""
1172 : ... handle error
1173< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1174
1175 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1176v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1177 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1178 Example: >
1179 :try
1180 : throw "oops"
1181 :catch /.*/
1182 : echo "caught" v:exception
1183 :endtry
1184< Output: "caught oops".
1185
1186 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
1187v:fname_in The name of the input file. Only valid while evaluating:
1188 option used for ~
1189 'charconvert' file to be converted
1190 'diffexpr' original file
1191 'patchexpr' original file
1192 'printexpr' file to be printed
1193
1194 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1195v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1196 evaluating:
1197 option used for ~
1198 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1199 'diffexpr' output of diff
1200 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1201 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1202 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1203 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1204 file and different from v:fname_in.
1205
1206 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1207v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1208 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1209
1210 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1211v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1212 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1213
1214 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1215v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1216 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001217 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001218
1219 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1220v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001221 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001222
1223 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1224v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001225 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001226
1227 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1228v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001229 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001230
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001231 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1232v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1233 events. Values:
1234 i Insert mode
1235 r Replace mode
1236 v Virtual Replace mode
1237
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001238 *v:key* *key-variable*
1239v:key Key of the current item of a Dictionary. Only valid while
1240 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1241 Read-only.
1242
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001243 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1244v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1245 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1246 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1247 The value is system dependent.
1248 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1249 command.
1250 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1251 in a different language than what is used for character
1252 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1253
1254 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1255v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1256 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1257 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1258 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1259 command. See |multi-lang|.
1260
1261 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001262v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
1263 expressions. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1264 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001265
1266 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1267v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1268 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1269 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1270 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1271< Read-only.
1272
1273 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1274v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1275 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1276 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1277 Read-only.
1278
1279 *v:register* *register-variable*
1280v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1281 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1282
1283 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1284v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1285 Read-only.
1286
1287 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1288v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1289 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1290 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1291 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1292 executed. Read-only.
1293 Example: >
1294 :!mv foo bar
1295 :if v:shell_error
1296 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1297 :endif
1298< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1299
1300 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1301v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1302
1303 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1304v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1305 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1306 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1307 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1308 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1309 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1310 terminal.
1311 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1312 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1313 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1314 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1315 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1316
1317 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1318v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1319 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1320 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1321 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1322
1323 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1324v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1325 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1326 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1327 Example: >
1328 :try
1329 : throw "oops"
1330 :catch /.*/
1331 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1332 :endtry
1333< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1334
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001335 *v:val* *val-variable*
1336v:val Value of the current item of a List or Dictionary. Only valid
1337 while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
1338 |filter()|. Read-only.
1339
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001340 *v:version* *version-variable*
1341v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1342 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1343 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1344 compatibility.
1345 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1346 if has("patch123")
1347< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1348 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1349 completely different.
1350
1351 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1352v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1353
1354==============================================================================
13554. Builtin Functions *functions*
1356
1357See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1358
1359(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation)
1360
1361USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1362
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001363add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to List {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001364append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001365argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001366argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001367argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
1368browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1369 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001370browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001371bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001372buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1373bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001374bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1375bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1376bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1377byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001378byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001379call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1380 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001381char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001382cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001383col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
1384confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1385 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001386copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001387count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1388 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001389cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1390 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001391cursor( {lnum}, {col}) Number position cursor at {lnum}, {col}
1392deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001393delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1394did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001395diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1396diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001397empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001398escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001399eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001400eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001401executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1402exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
1403expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
1404filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001405filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1406 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001407finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
1408 String Find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001409findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001410 String Find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001411filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
1412fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001413foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1414foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001415foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001416foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001417foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001418function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001419get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001420get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001421getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1422getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001423getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
1424getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1425getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
1426getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001427getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1428getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001429getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001430getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001431getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001432getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} from current buffer
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001433getreg( [{regname}]) String contents of register
1434getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001435getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1436getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1437getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in window {nr}
1438glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1439globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1440has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001441has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001442hasmapto( {what} [, {mode}]) Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
1443histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1444histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1445histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1446histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1447hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1448hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1449hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001450iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1451indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001452index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1453 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001454input( {prompt} [, {text}]) String get input from the user
1455inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001456inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1457inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001458inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001459insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001460isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001461islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001462items( {dict}) List List of key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001463join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001464keys( {dict}) List List of keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001465len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1466libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001467libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1468line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1469line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001470lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001471localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001472map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001473maparg( {name}[, {mode}]) String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1474mapcheck( {name}[, {mode}]) String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001475match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001476 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001477matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001478 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001479matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1480 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001481max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1482min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001483mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001484nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1485nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
1486prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001487range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1488 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001489remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1490 String send expression
1491remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1492remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1493 Number check for reply string
1494remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1495remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1496 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001497remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001498remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001499rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1500repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1501resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001502reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001503search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001504searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001505 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001506server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1507 Number send reply string
1508serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1509setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1510setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1511setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001512setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001513setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001514simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001515sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001516split( {expr} [, {pat}]) List make List from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001517strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001518stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1519 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001520string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001521strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1522strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1523 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001524strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1525 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001526strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001527submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001528substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1529 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001530synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001531synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1532 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1533synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001534system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001535tempname() String name for a temporary file
1536tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1537toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001538tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1539 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001540type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001541values( {dict}) List List of values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001542virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1543visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1544winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1545wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1546winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1547winline() Number window line of the cursor
1548winnr() Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001549winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001550winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
1551
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001552add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
1553 Append the item {expr} to List {list}. Returns the resulting
1554 List. Examples: >
1555 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1556 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
1557< Note that when {expr} is a List it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001558 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001559 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001560
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001561
1562append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
1563 When {expr} is a List: Append each item of the list as a text
1564 line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
1565 Otherwise append the text line {expr} below line {lnum} in the
1566 current buffer.
1567 {lnum} can be zero, to insert a line before the first one.
1568 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1569 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001570 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001571 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001572<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001573 *argc()*
1574argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1575 current window. See |arglist|.
1576
1577 *argidx()*
1578argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1579 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1580
1581 *argv()*
1582argv({nr}) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
1583 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1584 Example: >
1585 :let i = 0
1586 :while i < argc()
1587 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1588 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1589 : let i = i + 1
1590 :endwhile
1591<
1592 *browse()*
1593browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1594 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1595 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1596 The input fields are:
1597 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1598 {title} title for the requester
1599 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1600 {default} default file name
1601 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1602 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1603
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001604 *browsedir()*
1605browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1606 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1607 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1608 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1609 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1610 to be used.
1611 The input fields are:
1612 {title} title for the requester
1613 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1614 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1615 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1616
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001617bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1618 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1619 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001620 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001621 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001622 exactly. The name can be:
1623 - Relative to the current directory.
1624 - A full path.
1625 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1626 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001627 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1628 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1629 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1630 long name to be able to find them.
1631 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1632 file name.
1633 *buffer_exists()*
1634 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1635
1636buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1637 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1638 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001639 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001640
1641bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1642 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1643 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001644 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001645
1646bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1647 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1648 ":ls" command.
1649 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1650 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1651 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1652 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1653 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1654 match an empty string is returned.
1655 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1656 alternate buffer.
1657 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1658 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1659 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1660 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1661 buffers are searched for.
1662 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1663 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1664 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1665< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1666 string is returned. >
1667 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1668 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1669 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1670 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1671< *buffer_name()*
1672 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1673
1674 *bufnr()*
1675bufnr({expr}) The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
1676 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
1677 above. If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
1678 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1679 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1680< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1681 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1682 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1683 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1684 *buffer_number()*
1685 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1686 *last_buffer_nr()*
1687 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1688
1689bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1690 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1691 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1692 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1693 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1694
1695 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1696
1697< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1698 |:wincmd|.
1699
1700
1701byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1702 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1703 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1704 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1705 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1706 one.
1707 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1708 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1709 feature}
1710
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001711byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1712 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1713 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1714 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1715 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1716 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1717 Example : >
1718 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1719< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1720 same: >
1721 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1722 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1723< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1724 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1725 is returned.
1726
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001727call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001728 Call function {func} with the items in List {arglist} as
1729 arguments.
1730 {func} can either be a Funcref or the name of a function.
1731 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1732 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001733 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1734 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001735
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001736char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1737 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1738 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1739 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1740< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
1741 char2nr("á") returns 225
1742 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
1743
1744cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1745 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1746 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1747 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1748 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1749 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1750 feature, -1 is returned.
1751
1752 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001753col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001754 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1755 . the cursor position
1756 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1757 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1758 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1759 returned)
1760 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1761 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1762 Examples: >
1763 col(".") column of cursor
1764 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1765 col("'t") column of mark t
1766 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1767< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
1768 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1769 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1770 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
1771 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
1772 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
1773 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
1774 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
1775<
1776 *confirm()*
1777confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1778 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
1779 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
1780 choice this is 1.
1781 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
1782 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
1783 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
1784 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
1785 used (and translated).
1786 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
1787 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
1788 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
1789 by '\n', e.g. >
1790 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
1791< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
1792 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
1793 not need to be the first letter: >
1794 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
1795< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
1796 the default shortcut key.
1797 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
1798 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
1799 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
1800 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
1801 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
1802 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
1803 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
1804 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
1805 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
1806 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
1807 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
1808
1809 An example: >
1810 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
1811 :if choice == 0
1812 : echo "make up your mind!"
1813 :elseif choice == 3
1814 : echo "tasteful"
1815 :else
1816 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
1817 :endif
1818< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
1819 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
1820 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
1821 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
1822 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
1823 the horizontal layout is always used.
1824
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001825 *copy()*
1826copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
1827 different from using {expr} directly.
1828 When {expr} is a List a shallow copy is created. This means
1829 that the original List can be changed without changing the
1830 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
1831 changing an item changes the contents of both Lists. Also see
1832 |deepcopy()|.
1833
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001834count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001835 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001836 in List or Dictionary {comp}.
1837 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
1838 {start} can only be used with a List.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001839 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
1840
1841
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001842 *cscope_connection()*
1843cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1844 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
1845 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
1846 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
1847 if there are no cscope connections;
1848 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
1849
1850 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
1851 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
1852
1853 {num} Description of existence check
1854 ----- ------------------------------
1855 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
1856 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
1857 {dbpath}.
1858 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
1859 {dbpath}.
1860 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
1861 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1862 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
1863 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1864
1865 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
1866
1867 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
1868
1869 # pid database name prepend path
1870 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
1871<
1872 Invocation Return Val ~
1873 ---------- ---------- >
1874 cscope_connection() 1
1875 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
1876 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
1877 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
1878 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
1879 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
1880 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
1881 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
1882<
1883cursor({lnum}, {col}) *cursor()*
1884 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
1885 Does not change the jumplist.
1886 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
1887 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
1888 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
1889 If {col} is greater than the number of characters in the line,
1890 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
1891 line.
1892 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
1893
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001894
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001895deepcopy({expr}) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001896 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
1897 different from using {expr} directly.
1898 When {expr} is a List a full copy is created. This means
1899 that the original List can be changed without changing the
1900 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a List, a copy for it
1901 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
1902 not change the contents of the original List.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00001903 *E724*
1904 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
1905 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy will
1906 fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001907 Also see |copy()|.
1908
1909delete({fname}) *delete()*
1910 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001911 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
1912 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001913 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001914
1915 *did_filetype()*
1916did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
1917 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
1918 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
1919 that detect the file type. |FileType|
1920 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
1921 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
1922 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
1923 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
1924 file.
1925
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001926diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
1927 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
1928 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
1929 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
1930 display but don't exist in the buffer.
1931 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
1932 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
1933 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
1934
1935diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
1936 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
1937 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
1938 diff change zero is returned.
1939 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
1940 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
1941 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
1942 line.
1943 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
1944 syntax information about the highlighting.
1945
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001946empty({expr}) *empty()*
1947 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001948 A List or Dictionary is empty when it does not have any items.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001949 A Number is empty when its value is zero.
1950 For a long List this is much faster then comparing the length
1951 with zero.
1952
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001953escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
1954 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
1955 backslash. Example: >
1956 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
1957< results in: >
1958 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001959
1960< *eval()*
1961eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
1962 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
1963 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
1964 Also works for Funcrefs that refer to existing functions.
1965
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001966eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
1967 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
1968 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
1969 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
1970 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
1971
1972executable({expr}) *executable()*
1973 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
1974 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00001975 arguments.
1976 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
1977 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
1978 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
1979 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
1980 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
1981 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
1982 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
1983 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
1984 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
1985 extension.
1986 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
1987 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001988 The result is a Number:
1989 1 exists
1990 0 does not exist
1991 -1 not implemented on this system
1992
1993 *exists()*
1994exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
1995 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
1996 which contains one of these:
1997 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
1998 not if it really works)
1999 +option-name Vim option that works.
2000 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2001 done by comparing with an empty
2002 string)
2003 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2004 or user defined function (see
2005 |user-functions|).
2006 varname internal variable (see
2007 |internal-variables|). Does not work
2008 for |curly-braces-names|.
2009 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2010 command or command modifier |:command|.
2011 Returns:
2012 1 for match with start of a command
2013 2 full match with a command
2014 3 matches several user commands
2015 To check for a supported command
2016 always check the return value to be 2.
2017 #event autocommand defined for this event
2018 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2019 pattern (the pattern is taken
2020 literally and compared to the
2021 autocommand patterns character by
2022 character)
2023 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2024
2025 Examples: >
2026 exists("&shortname")
2027 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2028 exists("*strftime")
2029 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2030 exists("bufcount")
2031 exists(":Make")
2032 exists("#CursorHold");
2033 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
2034< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2035 name.
2036 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2037 variable itself! For example: >
2038 exists(bufcount)
2039< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
2040 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
2041 exists.
2042
2043expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2044 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2045 The result is a String.
2046
2047 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2048 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2049 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2050
2051 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2052 for a non-existing file is not included.
2053
2054 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2055 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2056 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2057
2058 % current file name
2059 # alternate file name
2060 #n alternate file name n
2061 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2062 <afile> autocmd file name
2063 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2064 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2065 <sfile> sourced script file name
2066 <cword> word under the cursor
2067 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2068 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2069 message |server2client()|
2070 Modifiers:
2071 :p expand to full path
2072 :h head (last path component removed)
2073 :t tail (last path component only)
2074 :r root (one extension removed)
2075 :e extension only
2076
2077 Example: >
2078 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2079< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2080 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2081 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2082< Use this: >
2083 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2084< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2085 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2086 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2087 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2088 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2089<
2090 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2091 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2092 to modify normal file names.
2093
2094 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2095 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2096 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2097 '/' added.
2098
2099 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2100 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2101 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2102 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
2103 non-existing files are included.
2104
2105 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2106 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2107 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2108 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2109 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2110 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2111 "$FOOBAR".
2112
2113 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2114 getting the raw output of an external command.
2115
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002116extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
2117 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both Lists or both Dictionaries.
2118
2119 If they are Lists: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
2120 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2121 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2122 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2123 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002124 Examples: >
2125 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2126 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002127< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2128 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002129 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002130<
2131 If they are Dictionaries:
2132 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2133 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2134 used to decide what to do:
2135 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2136 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00002137 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002138 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2139
2140 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2141 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2142 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2143 Returns {expr1}.
2144
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002145
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002146filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2147 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2148 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2149 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2150 expression, which is used as a String.
2151 *file_readable()*
2152 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2153
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002154
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002155filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
2156 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
2157 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
2158 is zero remove the item from the List or Dictionary.
2159 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
2160 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
2161 Examples: >
2162 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2163< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2164 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2165< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2166 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002167< Removes all the items, thus clears the List or Dictionary.
2168
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002169 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2170 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2171 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2172
2173 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
2174 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002175 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), '& =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002176
2177< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002178
2179
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002180finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
2181 Find directory {name} in {path}.
2182 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2183 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
2184 {name} in {path}.
2185 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
2186 When the found directory is below the current directory a
2187 relative path is returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
2188 Example: >
2189 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2190< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2191 the file "tags.vim".
2192 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2193
2194findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2195 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
2196
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002197filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2198 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2199 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2200 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2201 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2202
2203fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2204 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2205 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2206 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2207 Example: >
2208 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2209< results in: >
2210 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2211< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2212 |expand()| first then.
2213
2214foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2215 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2216 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2217 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2218
2219foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2220 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2221 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2222 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2223
2224foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2225 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2226 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2227 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2228 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2229 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2230 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2231 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2232 previous line is usually available.
2233
2234 *foldtext()*
2235foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2236 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2237 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2238 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2239 The returned string looks like this: >
2240 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2241< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2242 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2243 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2244 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2245 options is removed.
2246 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2247
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002248foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2249 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2250 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2251 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2252 returned.
2253 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2254 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2255 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2256 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2257
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002258 *foreground()*
2259foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2260 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2261 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2262 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2263 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2264 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2265 Win32 console version}
2266
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002267
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002268function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002269 Return a Funcref variable that refers to function {name}.
2270 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2271
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002272
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002273get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002274 Get item {idx} from List {list}. When this item is not
2275 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2276 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002277get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
2278 Get item with key {key} from Dictionary {dict}. When this
2279 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2280 {default} is omitted.
2281
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002282
2283getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2284 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2285 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2286 must be used.
2287 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
2288 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
2289 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2290 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2291 returned, there is no error message.
2292 Examples: >
2293 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2294 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2295<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002296getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2297 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2298 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2299 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2300 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2301 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2302 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2303 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2304 not consumed. If a normal character is
2305 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2306 non-zero value is returned.
2307 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2308 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2309 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2310 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2311 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2312 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2313 user that a character has to be typed.
2314 There is no mapping for the character.
2315 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2316 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2317 sequence. Examples: >
2318 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2319 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2320< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2321 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2322 :function FindChar()
2323 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2324 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2325 : normal l
2326 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2327 : break
2328 : endif
2329 : endwhile
2330 :endfunction
2331
2332getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2333 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2334 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2335 These values are added together:
2336 2 shift
2337 4 control
2338 8 alt (meta)
2339 16 mouse double click
2340 32 mouse triple click
2341 64 mouse quadruple click
2342 128 Macintosh only: command
2343 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2344 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2345 with no modifier.
2346
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002347getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2348 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2349 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2350 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2351 Example: >
2352 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
2353< Also see |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
2354
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002355getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002356 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2357 byte count. The first column is 1.
2358 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2359 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
2360 Also see |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2361
2362 *getcwd()*
2363getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2364 working directory.
2365
2366getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2367 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2368 given file {fname}.
2369 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2370 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2371
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002372getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2373 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2374 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2375 |hl-Normal|.
2376 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2377 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2378 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2379 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
2380 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not you your vimrc or
2381 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2382 for a valid name does not work.
2383 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2384 function just after the GUI has started.
2385
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002386getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2387 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2388 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2389 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2390 empty string is returned.
2391 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2392 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2393 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2394 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2395 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2396 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2397< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2398 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
2399
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002400getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2401 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2402 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2403 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2404 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2405 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2406
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002407getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2408 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2409 file of the given file {fname}.
2410 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2411 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2412 results:
2413 Normal file "file"
2414 Directory "dir"
2415 Symbolic link "link"
2416 Block device "bdev"
2417 Character device "cdev"
2418 Socket "socket"
2419 FIFO "fifo"
2420 All other "other"
2421 Example: >
2422 getftype("/home")
2423< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2424 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2425 "file" are returned.
2426
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002427 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002428getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2429 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2430 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002431 getline(1)
2432< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2433 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2434 To get the line under the cursor: >
2435 getline(".")
2436< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2437 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2438
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002439 When {end} is given the result is a List where each item is a
2440 line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
2441 including line {end}.
2442 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2443 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
2444 When {end} is before {lnum} an error is given.
2445 Example: >
2446 :let start = line('.')
2447 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2448 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2449
2450
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002451getreg([{regname}]) *getreg()*
2452 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
2453 {regname}. Example: >
2454 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2455< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
2456 register. (For use in maps).
2457 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2458
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002459
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002460getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2461 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2462 The value will be one of:
2463 "v" for |characterwise| text
2464 "V" for |linewise| text
2465 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2466 0 for an empty or unknown register
2467 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2468 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2469
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002470
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002471 *getwinposx()*
2472getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2473 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2474 -1 if the information is not available.
2475
2476 *getwinposy()*
2477getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2478 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2479 information is not available.
2480
2481getwinvar({nr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2482 The result is the value of option or local window variable
2483 {varname} in window {nr}.
2484 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
2485 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
2486 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2487 Examples: >
2488 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2489 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2490<
2491 *glob()*
2492glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2493 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2494 characters.
2495 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2496 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2497
2498 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2499 any external command. Example: >
2500 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2501 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2502< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2503 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2504
2505 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2506 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2507
2508globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2509 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2510 the results. Example: >
2511 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2512< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2513 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2514 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2515 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2516 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2517 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2518 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2519 error message.
2520 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2521 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2522
2523 *has()*
2524has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2525 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2526 string. See |feature-list| below.
2527 Also see |exists()|.
2528
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002529
2530has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
2531 The result is a Number, which is 1 if Dictionary {dict} has an
2532 entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
2533
2534
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002535hasmapto({what} [, {mode}]) *hasmapto()*
2536 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2537 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2538 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2539 {mode}.
2540 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2541 buffer are checked for a match.
2542 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2543 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2544 n Normal mode
2545 v Visual mode
2546 o Operator-pending mode
2547 i Insert mode
2548 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2549 c Command-line mode
2550 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2551
2552 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2553 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2554 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2555 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2556 :endif
2557< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
2558 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
2559
2560histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
2561 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
2562 one of: *hist-names*
2563 "cmd" or ":" command line history
2564 "search" or "/" search pattern history
2565 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
2566 "input" or "@" input line history
2567 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
2568 shifted to become the newest entry.
2569 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
2570 otherwise 0 is returned.
2571
2572 Example: >
2573 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
2574 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
2575< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2576
2577histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
2578 Clear {history}, ie. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
2579 for the possible values of {history}.
2580
2581 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
2582 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
2583 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
2584 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
2585 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
2586 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
2587 if it exists.
2588
2589 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
2590 otherwise 0 is returned.
2591
2592 Examples:
2593 Clear expression register history: >
2594 :call histdel("expr")
2595<
2596 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
2597 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
2598<
2599 The following three are equivalent: >
2600 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
2601 :call histdel("search", -1)
2602 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
2603<
2604 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
2605 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
2606 :call histdel("search", -1)
2607 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
2608
2609histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
2610 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
2611 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
2612 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
2613 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
2614 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
2615
2616 Examples:
2617 Redo the second last search from history. >
2618 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
2619
2620< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
2621 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
2622 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
2623<
2624histnr({history}) *histnr()*
2625 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
2626 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
2627 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
2628
2629 Example: >
2630 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
2631<
2632hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
2633 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
2634 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
2635 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
2636 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
2637 item.
2638 *highlight_exists()*
2639 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
2640
2641 *hlID()*
2642hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
2643 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
2644 zero is returned.
2645 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
2646 group. For example, to get the background color of the
2647 "Comment" group: >
2648 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
2649< *highlightID()*
2650 Obsolete name: highlightID().
2651
2652hostname() *hostname()*
2653 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
2654 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
2655 256 characters long are truncated.
2656
2657iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
2658 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
2659 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
2660 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
2661 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
2662 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
2663 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
2664 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
2665 can be done.
2666 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
2667 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
2668 UTF-8 and use: >
2669 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
2670< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
2671 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
2672 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
2673 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
2674
2675 *indent()*
2676indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
2677 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
2678 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
2679 |getline()|.
2680 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
2681
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002682
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002683index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002684 Return the lowest index in List {list} where the item has a
2685 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002686 If {start} is given then skip items with a lower index.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002687 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
2688 case must match.
2689 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
2690 Example: >
2691 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00002692 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002693
2694
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002695input({prompt} [, {text}]) *input()*
2696 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
2697 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
2698 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
2699 prompt to start a new line. The highlighting set with
2700 |:echohl| is used for the prompt. The input is entered just
2701 like a command-line, with the same editing commands and
2702 mappings. There is a separate history for lines typed for
2703 input().
2704 If the optional {text} is present, this is used for the
2705 default reply, as if the user typed this.
2706 NOTE: This must not be used in a startup file, for the
2707 versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
2708 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
2709 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
2710 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
2711 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
2712 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
2713 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
2714 |:execute| or |:normal|.
2715
2716 Example: >
2717 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
2718 : echo "Cheers!"
2719 :endif
2720< Example with default text: >
2721 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
2722< Example with a mapping: >
2723 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
2724 :function GetFoo()
2725 : call inputsave()
2726 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
2727 : call inputrestore()
2728 :endfunction
2729
2730inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
2731 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
2732 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
2733 Example: >
2734 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
2735 :if n != ""
2736 : let &sw = n
2737 :endif
2738< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
2739 omitted an empty string is returned.
2740 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
2741 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
2742
2743inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
2744 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
2745 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
2746 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
2747 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
2748
2749inputsave() *inputsave()*
2750 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
2751 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
2752 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
2753 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
2754 many inputrestore() calls.
2755 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
2756
2757inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
2758 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
2759 two exceptions:
2760 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
2761 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
2762 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
2763 |history| stack.
2764 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
2765 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
2766
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002767insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
2768 Insert {item} at the start of List {list}.
2769 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
2770 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
2771 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
2772 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
2773 Returns the resulting List. Examples: >
2774 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
2775 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
2776 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002777< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002778 Note that when {item} is a List it is inserted as a single
2779 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
2780
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002781isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
2782 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
2783 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
2784 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
2785 is any expression, which is used as a String.
2786
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00002787islocked({expr}) *islocked()*
2788 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
2789 name of a locked variable.
2790 {expr} must be the name of a variable, List item or Dictionary
2791 entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
2792 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
2793 :lockvar 1 alist
2794 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
2795 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
2796
2797< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
2798 message. Use |exists()| to check for existance.
2799
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002800items({dict}) *items()*
2801 Return a List with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
2802 List item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict} entry
2803 and the value of this entry. The List is in arbitrary order.
2804
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002805
2806join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
2807 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
2808 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
2809 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
2810 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
2811 add it there too: >
2812 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
2813< String items are used as-is. Lists and Dictionaries are
2814 converted into a string like with |string()|.
2815 The opposite function is |split()|.
2816
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002817keys({dict}) *keys()*
2818 Return a List with all the keys of {dict}. The List is in
2819 arbitrary order.
2820
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002821 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002822len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
2823 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
2824 used, as with |strlen()|.
2825 When {expr} is a List the number of items in the List is
2826 returned.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002827 When {expr} is a Dictionary the number of entries in the
2828 Dictionary is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002829 Otherwise an error is given.
2830
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002831 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
2832libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
2833 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
2834 with single argument {argument}.
2835 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
2836 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
2837 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
2838 limited.
2839 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
2840 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
2841 to Vim.
2842 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
2843 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
2844 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
2845 null-terminated string.
2846 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
2847
2848 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
2849 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
2850 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
2851 very probably crash.
2852
2853 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
2854 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
2855 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
2856 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
2857 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
2858 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
2859 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
2860 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
2861 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
2862 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
2863
2864 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
2865 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
2866 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
2867 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
2868 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
2869 the DLL is not in the usual places.
2870 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
2871 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
2872 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
2873 feature is present}
2874 Examples: >
2875 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
2876 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
2877<
2878 *libcallnr()*
2879libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
2880 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
2881 int instead of a string.
2882 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
2883 feature is present}
2884 Example (not very useful...): >
2885 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
2886 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
2887<
2888 *line()*
2889line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
2890 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2891 . the cursor position
2892 $ the last line in the current buffer
2893 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2894 returned)
2895 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2896 Examples: >
2897 line(".") line number of the cursor
2898 line("'t") line number of mark t
2899 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
2900< *last-position-jump*
2901 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
2902 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
2903 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002904
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002905line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
2906 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
2907 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
2908 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
2909 line returns 1.
2910 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
2911 below the last line: >
2912 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
2913< This is the file size plus one.
2914 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
2915 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
2916 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
2917
2918lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
2919 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
2920 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
2921 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
2922 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
2923 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
2924 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
2925
2926localtime() *localtime()*
2927 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
2928 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
2929
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002930
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002931map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
2932 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
2933 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
2934 {string}.
2935 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
2936 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
2937 Example: >
2938 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002939< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002940
2941 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2942 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2943 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2944
2945 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
2946 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002947 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002948
2949< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002950
2951
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002952maparg({name}[, {mode}]) *maparg()*
2953 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
2954 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
2955 These characters can be used for {mode}:
2956 "n" Normal
2957 "v" Visual
2958 "o" Operator-pending
2959 "i" Insert
2960 "c" Cmd-line
2961 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
2962 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
2963 When {mode} is omitted, the modes from "" are used.
2964 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
2965 command. The returned String has special characters
2966 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
2967 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
2968 then the global mappings.
2969
2970mapcheck({name}[, {mode}]) *mapcheck()*
2971 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
2972 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
2973 {name}.
2974 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
2975 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
2976
2977 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
2978 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
2979 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
2980 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
2981 mapcheck("b") no no no
2982
2983 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
2984 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
2985 mapping for {name} exactly.
2986 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
2987 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
2988 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
2989 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
2990 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
2991 then the global mappings.
2992 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
2993 without being ambiguous. Example: >
2994 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
2995 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
2996 :endif
2997< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
2998 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
2999
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003000match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003001 When {expr} is a List then this returns the index of the first
3002 item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a String,
3003 Lists and Dictionaries are used as echoed.
3004 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3005 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3006 {pat} matches.
3007 A match at the first character or List item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003008 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3009 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003010 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
3011 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 2
3012< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
3013
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003014 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003015 is found in a String the search for the next one starts on
3016 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003017 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003018< In a List the search continues in the next item.
3019
3020 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
3021 {start} in a String or item {start} in a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003022 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003023 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003024 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3025< result is again "4". >
3026 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3027< result is again "4". >
3028 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3029< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003030 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3031 the index is counted from the end.
3032 If {start} is out of range (> strlen({expr} for a String or
3033 > len({expr} for a List) -1 is returned.
3034
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003035 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3036 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3037 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3038 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3039
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003040matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003041 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3042 the match. Example: >
3043 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3044< results in "7".
3045 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3046 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3047< results in "7". >
3048 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3049< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003050 When {expr} is a List the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003051
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003052matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003053 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3054 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3055< results in "ing".
3056 When there is no match "" is returned.
3057 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3058 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3059< results in "ing". >
3060 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3061< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003062 When {expr} is a List then the matching item is returned.
3063 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003064
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003065 *max()*
3066max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3067 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3068 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3069 An empty List results in zero.
3070
3071 *min()*
3072min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3073 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3074 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3075 An empty List results in zero.
3076
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003077 *mode()*
3078mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3079 n Normal
3080 v Visual by character
3081 V Visual by line
3082 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3083 s Select by character
3084 S Select by line
3085 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3086 i Insert
3087 R Replace
3088 c Command-line
3089 r Hit-enter prompt
3090 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3091 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3092
3093nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3094 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3095 that is not blank. Example: >
3096 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3097< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3098 below it, zero is returned.
3099 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3100
3101nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3102 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3103 value {expr}. Examples: >
3104 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3105 nr2char(32) returns " "
3106< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3107 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3108< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3109 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3110 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003111 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003112
3113prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3114 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3115 that is not blank. Example: >
3116 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3117< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3118 above it, zero is returned.
3119 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3120
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003121 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003122range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
3123 Returns a List with Numbers:
3124 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3125 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3126 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3127 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3128 producing a value past {max}).
3129 Examples: >
3130 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
3131 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3132 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
3133 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
3134<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003135 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3136remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3137 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3138 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
3139 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3140 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3141 remote_read() is stored there.
3142 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3143 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3144 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3145 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3146 and the result will be the empty string.
3147 Examples: >
3148 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3149 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3150<
3151
3152remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3153 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3154 This works like: >
3155 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3156< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3157 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3158 to bring itself to the foreground.
3159 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3160 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3161 Win32 console version}
3162
3163
3164remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3165 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3166 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3167 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3168 name of a variable.
3169 Returns zero if none are available.
3170 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3171 See also |clientserver|.
3172 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3173 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3174 Examples: >
3175 :let repl = ""
3176 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3177
3178remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3179 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3180 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3181 See also |clientserver|.
3182 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3183 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3184 Example: >
3185 :echo remote_read(id)
3186<
3187 *remote_send()* *E241*
3188remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003189 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3190 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3191 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003192 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3193 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3194 remote_read() is stored there.
3195 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3196 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3197 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3198 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3199 up the display.
3200 Examples: >
3201 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3202 \ remote_read(serverid)
3203
3204 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3205 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3206 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3207 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003208<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003209remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
3210 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from List {list} and
3211 return it.
3212 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3213 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3214 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3215 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3216 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003217 Example: >
3218 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003219 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003220remove({dict}, {key})
3221 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3222 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3223< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3224
3225 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003226
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003227rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3228 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3229 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3230 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3231 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
3232 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3233
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003234repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
3235 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
3236 result. Example: >
3237 :let seperator = repeat('-', 80)
3238< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003239 When {expr} is a List the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003240 {count} times. Example: >
3241 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
3242< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003243
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003244
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003245resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
3246 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
3247 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
3248 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
3249 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
3250 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
3251 stopped after 100 iterations.
3252 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
3253 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
3254 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
3255 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
3256 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
3257
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003258 *reverse()*
3259reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
3260 {list}.
3261 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3262 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
3263
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003264search({pattern} [, {flags}]) *search()*
3265 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003266 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003267 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
3268 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003269 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003270 'w' wrap around the end of the file
3271 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
3272 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
3273
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003274 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
3275 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
3276 flag is used).
3277 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
3278 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003279
3280 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
3281 :let n = 1
3282 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
3283 : exe "argument " . n
3284 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
3285 : " first search to find match at start of file
3286 : normal G$
3287 : let flags = "w"
3288 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
3289 : s/foo/bar/g
3290 : let flags = "W"
3291 : endwhile
3292 : update " write the file if modified
3293 : let n = n + 1
3294 :endwhile
3295<
3296 *searchpair()*
3297searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
3298 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
3299 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
3300 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
3301 The search starts at the cursor. If a match is found, the
3302 cursor is positioned at it and the line number is returned.
3303 If no match is found 0 or -1 is returned and the cursor
3304 doesn't move. No error message is given.
3305
3306 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
3307 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
3308 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
3309 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
3310 typical use is: >
3311 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
3312< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
3313
3314 {flags} are used like with |search()|. Additionally:
3315 'n' do Not move the cursor
3316 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
3317 outer pair
3318 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
3319 the match; will only be > 1 when 'r' is used.
3320
3321 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
3322 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
3323 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
3324 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
3325 or a string.
3326 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
3327 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
3328 and -1 returned.
3329
3330 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
3331 patterns are used like it's on.
3332
3333 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
3334 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
3335 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
3336 if 1
3337 if 2
3338 endif 2
3339 endif 1
3340< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
3341 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
3342 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
3343 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
3344 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
3345 "endif 2".
3346 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
3347 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
3348 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
3349 the matching start.
3350
3351 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
3352
3353 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
3354 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
3355
3356< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
3357 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
3358 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
3359 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
3360 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
3361 match.
3362 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
3363
3364 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
3365
3366< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
3367 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
3368 highlighting recognized as strings: >
3369
3370 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
3371 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
3372<
3373server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
3374 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
3375 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
3376 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3377 Note:
3378 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
3379 received. Ie. before returning from the received command and
3380 before calling any commands that waits for input.
3381 See also |clientserver|.
3382 Example: >
3383 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
3384<
3385serverlist() *serverlist()*
3386 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
3387 When there are no servers or the information is not available
3388 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
3389 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3390 Example: >
3391 :echo serverlist()
3392<
3393setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
3394 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
3395 {val}.
3396 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
3397 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
3398 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
3399 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3400 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
3401 Examples: >
3402 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
3403 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
3404< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3405
3406setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
3407 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
3408 {pos}. The first position is 1.
3409 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
3410 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003411 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
3412 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
3413 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
3414 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
3415 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003416 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
3417 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
3418 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
3419 line.
3420
3421setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
3422 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}. If this
3423 succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely because
3424 {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
3425 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
3426< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
3427
3428 *setreg()*
3429setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
3430 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
3431 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
3432 then the value is appended.
3433 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
3434 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
3435 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
3436 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
3437 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
3438 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
3439 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
3440 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
3441
3442 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
3443 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
3444 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
3445 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
3446
3447 Examples: >
3448 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
3449 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
3450 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
3451
3452< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
3453 register. >
3454 :let var_a = getreg('a')
3455 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
3456 ....
3457 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
3458
3459< You can also change the type of a register by appending
3460 nothing: >
3461 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
3462
3463setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
3464 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
3465 {val}.
3466 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
3467 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
3468 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
3469 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
3470 Examples: >
3471 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
3472 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
3473< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3474
3475simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
3476 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
3477 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
3478 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
3479 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
3480 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
3481 not removed either.
3482 Example: >
3483 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
3484< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
3485 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
3486 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
3487 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
3488 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
3489
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003490
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003491sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003492 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
3493 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3494 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
3495< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003496 Numbers sort after Strings, Lists after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003497 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
3498 When {func} is a Funcref or a function name, this function is
3499 called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
3500 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
3501 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
3502 sorts before the second one. Example: >
3503 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
3504 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
3505 endfunc
3506 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
3507
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003508split({expr} [, {pattern}]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003509 Make a List out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted each
3510 white-separated sequence of characters becomes an item.
3511 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
3512 removing the matched characters. Empty strings are omitted.
3513 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003514 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003515< Since empty strings are not added the "\+" isn't required but
3516 it makes the function work a bit faster.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003517 The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003518
3519
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003520strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
3521 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
3522 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
3523 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
3524 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
3525 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
3526 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
3527 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
3528 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
3529 Examples: >
3530 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
3531 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
3532 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
3533 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
3534 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
3535 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003536< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3537 :if exists("*strftime")
3538
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003539stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
3540 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
3541 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003542 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
3543 This can be used to find a second match: >
3544 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
3545 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
3546< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003547 For pattern searches use |match()|.
3548 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003549 See also |strridx()|.
3550 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003551 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
3552 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
3553 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
3554<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003555 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003556string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
3557 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
3558 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003559 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003560 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003561 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003562 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003563 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003564 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003565
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003566 *strlen()*
3567strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
3568 {expr} in bytes. If you want to count the number of
3569 multi-byte characters use something like this: >
3570
3571 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
3572
3573< Composing characters are not counted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003574 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
3575 For other types an error is given.
3576 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003577
3578strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
3579 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
3580 byte {start}, with the length {len}.
3581 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
3582 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
3583 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
3584 end of the {src}. >
3585 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
3586 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
3587 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
3588 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
3589< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
3590 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
3591 strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3)
3592<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003593strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
3594 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
3595 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
3596 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
3597 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
3598 match: >
3599 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
3600 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
3601< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003602 For pattern searches use |match()|.
3603 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003604 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003605 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
3606 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
3607<
3608strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
3609 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
3610 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
3611 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
3612 echo strtrans(@a)
3613< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
3614 starting a new line.
3615
3616submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
3617 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
3618 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
3619 the whole matched text is returned.
3620 Example: >
3621 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
3622< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
3623 A line break is included as a newline character.
3624
3625substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
3626 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
3627 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
3628 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
3629 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
3630 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
3631 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
3632 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
3633 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
3634 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
3635 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
3636 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
3637 unmodified.
3638 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
3639 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
3640 Example: >
3641 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
3642< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
3643 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
3644< results in "TESTING".
3645
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003646synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003647 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003648 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003649 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
3650 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003651 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003652 line.
3653 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
3654 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
3655 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
3656 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
3657 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
3658 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
3659 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
3660
3661 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
3662 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
3663<
3664synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
3665 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
3666 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
3667 about a syntax item.
3668 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
3669 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
3670 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
3671 used (GUI, cterm or term).
3672 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
3673 {what} result
3674 "name" the name of the syntax item
3675 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
3676 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
3677 term: empty string)
3678 "bg" background color (like "fg")
3679 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
3680 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
3681 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
3682 "bold" "1" if bold
3683 "italic" "1" if italic
3684 "reverse" "1" if reverse
3685 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
3686 "underline" "1" if underlined
3687
3688 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
3689 cursor): >
3690 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
3691<
3692synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
3693 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
3694 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
3695 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
3696 ":highlight link" are followed.
3697
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00003698system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
3699 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
3700 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
3701 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
3702 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
3703 yourself.
3704 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
3705 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
3706 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003707 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
3708 The result is a String. Example: >
3709
3710 :let files = system("ls")
3711
3712< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
3713 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
3714 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
3715 The command executed is constructed using several options:
3716 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
3717 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
3718 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
3719 concatenated commands.
3720
3721 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
3722 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3723 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
3724 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
3725
3726tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
3727 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
3728 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
3729 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
3730 :let tmpfile = tempname()
3731 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
3732< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
3733 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
3734 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
3735 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
3736 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
3737 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
3738
3739tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
3740 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
3741 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
3742 the string).
3743
3744toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
3745 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
3746 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
3747 the string).
3748
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00003749tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
3750 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
3751 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
3752 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
3753 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
3754 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
3755 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
3756
3757 Examples: >
3758 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
3759< returns "Hello THere" >
3760 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
3761< returns "{blob}"
3762
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003763 *type()*
3764type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
3765 Number: 0
3766 String: 1
3767 Funcref: 2
3768 List: 3
3769 To avoid the magic numbers it can be used this way: >
3770 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
3771 :if type(myvar) == type("")
3772 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
3773 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003774
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003775values({dict}) *values()*
3776 Return a List with all the values of {dict}. The List is in
3777 arbitrary order.
3778
3779
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003780virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
3781 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
3782 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
3783 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
3784 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
3785 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
3786 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
3787 set to 8, it returns 8.
3788 For the byte position use |col()|.
3789 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
3790 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
3791 The accepted positions are:
3792 . the cursor position
3793 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
3794 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
3795 plus one)
3796 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3797 returned)
3798 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
3799 Examples: >
3800 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
3801 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
3802 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
3803< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
3804
3805visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
3806 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
3807 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
3808 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
3809 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
3810 block-wise Visual mode respectively.
3811 Example: >
3812 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
3813< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
3814 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
3815 Visual mode that was used.
3816
3817 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
3818 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
3819 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
3820 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
3821
3822 *winbufnr()*
3823winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
3824 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
3825 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
3826 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
3827 Example: >
3828 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
3829<
3830 *wincol()*
3831wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
3832 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
3833 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
3834
3835winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
3836 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
3837 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
3838 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
3839 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
3840 Examples: >
3841 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
3842<
3843 *winline()*
3844winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
3845 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
3846 the window. The first line is one.
3847
3848 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003849winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
3850 window. The top window has number 1.
3851 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
3852 last window is returnd (the window count).
3853 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
3854 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
3855 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
3856 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
3857 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003858
3859 *winrestcmd()*
3860winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
3861 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
3862 are opened or closed and the current window is unchanged.
3863 Example: >
3864 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
3865 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
3866 :exe cmd
3867
3868winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
3869 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
3870 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
3871 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
3872 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
3873 Examples: >
3874 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
3875 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
3876 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
3877 :endif
3878<
3879
3880 *feature-list*
3881There are three types of features:
38821. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
3883 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
3884 :if has("cindent")
38852. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
3886 Example: >
3887 :if has("gui_running")
3888< *has-patch*
38893. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
3890 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
3891 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
3892 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
3893
3894all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
3895amiga Amiga version of Vim.
3896arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
3897arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
3898autocmd Compiled with autocommands support.
3899balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
3900beos BeOS version of Vim.
3901browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
3902 work.
3903builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
3904byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
3905cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
3906clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
3907clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
3908cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
3909cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
3910cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
3911comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
3912cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
3913cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
3914compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
3915debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
3916dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
3917dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
3918diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
3919digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
3920dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
3921dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
3922dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
3923ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
3924emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
3925eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
3926 true, of course!
3927ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
3928extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
3929 |'hlsearch'|
3930farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
3931file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
3932find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
3933 |+find_in_path|.
3934fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
3935 Windows this is not present).
3936folding Compiled with |folding| support.
3937footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
3938fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
3939gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
3940gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
3941gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003942gui_beos Compiled with BeOS GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003943gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
3944gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00003945gui_kde Compiled with KDE GUI |KVim|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003946gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
3947gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
3948gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
3949gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
3950gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
3951gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
3952hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
3953iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
3954insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
3955 Insert mode.
3956jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
3957keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
3958langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
3959libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
3960linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
3961 support.
3962lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
3963listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
3964 and the argument list |arglist|.
3965localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
3966mac Macintosh version of Vim.
3967macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
3968menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
3969mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
3970modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
3971mouse Compiled with support mouse.
3972mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
3973mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
3974mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
3975mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
3976mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
3977mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
3978multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
3979multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
3980multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00003981mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003982netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00003983netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003984ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
3985os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
3986osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
3987path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
3988perl Compiled with Perl interface.
3989postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
3990printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
3991python Compiled with Python interface.
3992qnx QNX version of Vim.
3993quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
3994rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
3995ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
3996scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
3997showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
3998signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
3999smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00004000sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004001statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
4002 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
4003sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
4004syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support.
4005syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
4006 current buffer.
4007system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
4008tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
4009 |tag-binary-search|.
4010tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
4011 |tag-old-static|.
4012tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
4013 files |tag-any-white|.
4014tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
4015terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
4016termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
4017textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
4018tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
4019 or terminfo file.
4020title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
4021toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
4022unix Unix version of Vim.
4023user_commands User-defined commands.
4024viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
4025vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
4026vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
4027virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
4028visual Compiled with Visual mode.
4029visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
4030 |blockwise-operators|.
4031vms VMS version of Vim.
4032vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
4033wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
4034wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
4035windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
4036winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
4037win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
4038win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
4039win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
4040win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
4041win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
4042writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
4043xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
4044xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
4045xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
4046xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
4047xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
4048xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
4049 xterm screen.
4050x11 Compiled with X11 support.
4051
4052 *string-match*
4053Matching a pattern in a String
4054
4055A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
4056the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
4057everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
4058like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
4059line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
4060with ".". Example: >
4061 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
4062 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
4063 aa
4064 xx
4065 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
4066 a
4067 x
4068
4069Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
4070"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
4071"\n".
4072
4073==============================================================================
40745. Defining functions *user-functions*
4075
4076New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
4077functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
4078commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
4079
4080The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
4081builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
4082avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
4083the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
4084
4085It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|.
4086
4087 *local-function*
4088A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
4089can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
4090and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
4091function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
4092instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
4093
4094 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
4095:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
4096
4097:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004098 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4099 Funcref: >
4100 :function dict.init
4101< *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004102:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004103 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
4104 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
4105 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004106
4107 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4108 Funcref: >
4109 :function dict.init(arg)
4110< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
4111 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
4112 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
4113 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
4114 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
4115 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004116 *E127* *E122*
4117 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
4118 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
4119 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
4120 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004121
4122 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
4123
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004124 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
4125 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
4126 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
4127 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
4128 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
4129 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
4130 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004131
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004132 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
4133 abort as soon as an error is detected.
4134 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
4135 will not be changed by the function.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004136
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004137 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
4138 be invoked through an entry in a Dictionary. The
4139 local variable "self" will then be set to the
4140 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004141
4142 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
4143:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
4144 by its own, without other commands.
4145
4146 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
4147:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004148 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4149 Funcref: >
4150 :delfunc dict.init
4151< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
4152 function is deleted if there are no more references to
4153 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004154 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
4155:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
4156 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
4157 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
4158 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
4159 the number 0 is returned.
4160 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
4161 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
4162
4163 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
4164 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
4165 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
4166 are executed first. This process applies to all
4167 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
4168 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
4169
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004170 *function-argument* *a:var*
4171An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
4172be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
4173 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
4174Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
4175arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
4176may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
4177as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004178can be 0). "a:000" is set to a List that contains these arguments. Note that
4179"a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
4180 *E742*
4181The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
4182However, if a List or Dictionary is used, you can changes their contents.
4183Thus you can pass a List to a function and have the function add an item to
4184it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a List or Dictionary
4185use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004186
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004187When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
4188to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
4189may be larger.
4190
4191It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
4192still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
4193until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
4194inside a function body.
4195
4196 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004197Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
4198will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
4199accessed with "g:".
4200
4201Example: >
4202 :function Table(title, ...)
4203 : echohl Title
4204 : echo a:title
4205 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004206 : echo a:0 . " items:"
4207 : for s in a:000
4208 : echon ' ' . s
4209 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004210 :endfunction
4211
4212This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004213 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
4214 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004215
4216To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
4217 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
4218 : if a:n2 == 0
4219 : return "fail"
4220 : endif
4221 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
4222 : return "ok"
4223 :endfunction
4224
4225This function can then be called with: >
4226 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
4227 :if success == "ok"
4228 : echo div
4229 :endif
4230
4231An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
4232with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
4233 :function Foo()
4234 : execute Bar()
4235 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
4236 :endfunction
4237
4238 :function Bar()
4239 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
4240 :endfunction
4241
4242The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
4243the caller to set the names.
4244
4245 *:cal* *:call* *E107*
4246:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
4247 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
4248 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
4249 used.
4250 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
4251 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
4252 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
4253 function.
4254 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
4255 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
4256 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
4257 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
4258 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
4259 this works:
4260 *function-range-example* >
4261 :function Mynumber(arg)
4262 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
4263 :endfunction
4264 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
4265<
4266 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
4267 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
4268 the range.
4269
4270 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
4271
4272 :function Cont() range
4273 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
4274 :endfunction
4275 :4,8call Cont()
4276<
4277 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
4278 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
4279
4280 *E132*
4281The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
4282option.
4283
4284 *autoload-functions*
4285When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
4286only when they are used. Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a
4287pattern that matches the function(s) to be defined. Example: >
4288
4289 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
4290
4291The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
4292"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
4293
4294==============================================================================
42956. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
4296
4297Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
4298This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
4299{} like this: >
4300 my_{adjective}_variable
4301
4302When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
4303that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
4304name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
4305"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
4306"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
4307
4308One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
4309value. For example, the statement >
4310 echo my_{&background}_message
4311
4312would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
4313on the current value of 'background'.
4314
4315You can use multiple brace pairs: >
4316 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
4317..or even nest them: >
4318 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
4319where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
4320
4321However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
4322variable name. e.g. this is invalid: >
4323 :let foo='a + b'
4324 :echo c{foo}d
4325.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
4326
4327 *curly-braces-function-names*
4328You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
4329Example: >
4330 :let func_end='whizz'
4331 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
4332
4333This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
4334
4335==============================================================================
43367. Commands *expression-commands*
4337
4338:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
4339 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
4340 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
4341 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
4342 is created.
4343
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004344:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
4345 Set a list item to the result of the expression
4346 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
4347 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
4348 the index can be repeated.
4349 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
4350
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004351 *E711* *E719*
4352:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004353 Set a sequence of items in a List to the result of the
4354 expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
4355 correct number of items.
4356 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
4357 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
4358 When the selected range of items is partly past the
4359 end of the list, items will be added.
4360
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004361 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004362:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
4363:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
4364:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
4365 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
4366 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
4367
4368
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004369:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
4370 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
4371 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004372:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
4373 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
4374 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
4375 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004376
4377:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
4378 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
4379 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
4380 must be the name of a writable register (see
4381 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
4382 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
4383 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
4384 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
4385 characterwise.
4386 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
4387 :let @/ = ""
4388< This is different from searching for an empty string,
4389 that would match everywhere.
4390
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004391:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
4392 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
4393 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
4394
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004395:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
4396 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004397 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
4398 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004399 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
4400 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
4401 value and the global value is changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004402 Example: >
4403 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004404
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004405:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
4406 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
4407 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
4408
4409:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
4410:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
4411 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
4412 {expr1}.
4413
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004414:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004415:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
4416:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
4417:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004418 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
4419 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
4420
4421:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004422:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
4423:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
4424:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004425 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
4426 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
4427
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004428:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004429 {expr1} must evaluate to a List. The first item in
4430 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
4431 {name2}, etc.
4432 The number of names must match the number of items in
4433 the List.
4434 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
4435 command as mentioned above.
4436 Example: >
4437 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004438< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
4439 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
4440 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
4441 :let x = [0, 1]
4442 :let i = 0
4443 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
4444 :echo x
4445< The result is [0, 2].
4446
4447:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
4448:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
4449:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
4450 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
4451 List item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004452
4453:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004454 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the List may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004455 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
4456 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
4457 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004458 Example: >
4459 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
4460<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004461:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
4462:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
4463:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
4464 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
4465 List item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004466 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004467:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00004468 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
4469 here: *E738*
4470 g: global variables.
4471 b: local buffer variables.
4472 w: local window variables.
4473 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004474
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004475:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
4476 variable is indicated before the value:
4477 <nothing> String
4478 # Number
4479 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004480
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004481
4482:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
4483 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
4484 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
4485 may also be a List or Dictionary item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004486 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
4487 variables.
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00004488 One or more items from a List can be removed: >
4489 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
4490 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
4491< One item from a Dictionary can be removed at a time: >
4492 :unlet dict['two']
4493 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004494
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004495:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
4496 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
4497 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
4498 A locked variable can be deleted: >
4499 :lockvar v
4500 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
4501 :unlet v
4502< *E741*
4503 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
4504 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
4505
4506 [depth] is relevant when locking a List or Dictionary.
4507 It specifies how deep the locking goes:
4508 1 Lock the List or Dictionary itself,
4509 cannot add or remove items, but can
4510 still change their values.
4511 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
4512 the items. If an item is a List or
4513 Dictionary, cannot add or remove
4514 items, but can still change the
4515 values.
4516 3 Like 2 but for the List/Dictionary in
4517 the List/Dictionary, one level deeper.
4518 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a List
4519 or Dictionary the values cannot be changed.
4520 *E743*
4521 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
4522 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
4523 loops.
4524
4525 Note that when two variables refer to the same List
4526 and you lock one of them, the List will also be locked
4527 when used through the other variable. Example: >
4528 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
4529 :let cl = l
4530 :lockvar l
4531 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
4532< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
4533 See |deepcopy()|.
4534
4535
4536:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
4537 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
4538 opposite of |:lockvar|.
4539
4540
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004541:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
4542:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
4543 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
4544
4545 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
4546 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
4547 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
4548 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
4549 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
4550 part was not executed either.
4551
4552 You can use this to remain compatible with older
4553 versions: >
4554 :if version >= 500
4555 : version-5-specific-commands
4556 :endif
4557< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
4558 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
4559 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
4560 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
4561 avoid problems: >
4562 :if version >= 600
4563 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
4564 :endif
4565<
4566 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
4567 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
4568
4569 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
4570:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
4571 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
4572 executed.
4573
4574 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
4575:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
4576 is no extra ":endif".
4577
4578:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004579 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004580:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
4581 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
4582 When an error is detected from a command inside the
4583 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004584 Example: >
4585 :let lnum = 1
4586 :while lnum <= line("$")
4587 :call FixLine(lnum)
4588 :let lnum = lnum + 1
4589 :endwhile
4590<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004591 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004592 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004593
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004594:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004595:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
4596 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004597 each item in {list}. variable {var} is set to the
4598 value of each item.
4599 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004600 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004601 Changing {list} affects what items are used. Make a
4602 copy if this is unwanted: >
4603 :for item in copy(mylist)
4604< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
4605 next item in the list, before executing the commands
4606 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
4607 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
4608 it will not be found. Thus the following example
4609 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
4610 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004611 :call remove(mylist, 0)
4612 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004613< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
4614 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
4615 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004616 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
4617 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
4618 to allow multiple item types.
4619
4620:for {var} in {string}
4621:endfo[r] Like ":for" above, but use each character in {string}
4622 as a list item.
4623 Composing characters are used as separate characters.
4624 A Number is first converted to a String.
4625
4626:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
4627:endfo[r]
4628 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
4629 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
4630 {var2}, etc. Example: >
4631 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
4632 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
4633 :endfor
4634<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004635 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004636:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
4637 to the start of the loop.
4638 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
4639 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
4640 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
4641 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
4642 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
4643 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004644
4645 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004646:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
4647 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
4648 ":endfor".
4649 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
4650 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
4651 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
4652 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
4653 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
4654 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004655
4656:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
4657:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
4658 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
4659 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
4660 or autocommand invocations.
4661
4662 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
4663 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
4664 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
4665 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
4666 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
4667 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
4668 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
4669 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
4670 Example: >
4671 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
4672 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
4673<
4674 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
4675 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
4676 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
4677 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
4678 processing is not terminated.
4679
4680 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
4681 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
4682 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
4683 other errors are converted to a value of the form
4684 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
4685 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
4686 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
4687 the error number.
4688 Examples: >
4689 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
4690 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
4691<
4692 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
4693:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
4694 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
4695 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
4696 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
4697 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
4698 commands are skipped.
4699 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
4700 Examples: >
4701 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
4702 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
4703 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
4704 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
4705 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
4706 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
4707 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
4708 :catch " same as /.*/
4709<
4710 Another character can be used instead of / around the
4711 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
4712 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
4713 {pattern}.
4714 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
4715 an error message because it may vary in different
4716 locales.
4717
4718 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
4719:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
4720 are executed whenever the part between the matching
4721 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
4722 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
4723 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
4724 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
4725
4726 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
4727:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
4728 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
4729 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
4730 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
4731 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
4732 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
4733 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
4734 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
4735 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
4736 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
4737 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
4738 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
4739 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
4740 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
4741 is terminated.
4742 Example: >
4743 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
4744<
4745
4746 *:ec* *:echo*
4747:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
4748 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
4749 Also see |:comment|.
4750 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
4751 cursor to the first column.
4752 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
4753 Cannot be followed by a comment.
4754 Example: >
4755 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
4756< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
4757 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
4758 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
4759 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
4760 command. Example: >
4761 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
4762<
4763 *:echon*
4764:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
4765 |:comment|.
4766 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
4767 Cannot be followed by a comment.
4768 Example: >
4769 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
4770<
4771 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
4772 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
4773 command: >
4774 :!echo % --> filename
4775< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
4776 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
4777< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
4778 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
4779 :echo % --> nothing
4780< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
4781 :echo "%" --> %
4782< This just echoes the '%' character. >
4783 :echo expand("%") --> filename
4784< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
4785
4786 *:echoh* *:echohl*
4787:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
4788 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
4789 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
4790 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
4791< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
4792 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
4793
4794 *:echom* *:echomsg*
4795:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
4796 message in the |message-history|.
4797 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
4798 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
4799 displayed, not interpreted.
4800 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
4801 Example: >
4802 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
4803<
4804 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
4805:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
4806 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
4807 script or function the line number will be added.
4808 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
4809 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
4810 the message is raised as an error exception instead
4811 (see |try-echoerr|).
4812 Example: >
4813 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
4814< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
4815 And to get a beep: >
4816 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
4817<
4818 *:exe* *:execute*
4819:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
4820 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
4821 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
4822 used as the processed command, command line editing
4823 keys are not recognized.
4824 Cannot be followed by a comment.
4825 Examples: >
4826 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
4827 :execute "normal " count . "w"
4828<
4829 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
4830 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
4831 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
4832
4833< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
4834 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
4835 command: >
4836 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
4837< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
4838
4839 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004840 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
4841 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004842 :execute 'while i > 5'
4843 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
4844<
4845 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
4846 completely in the executed string: >
4847 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
4848<
4849
4850 *:comment*
4851 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
4852 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
4853 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
4854 comment. Example: >
4855 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
4856
4857==============================================================================
48588. Exception handling *exception-handling*
4859
4860The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
4861explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
4862
4863Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
4864|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
4865exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
4866
4867
4868TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
4869
4870Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
4871use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
4872a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
4873 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
4874|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
4875a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
4876be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
4877which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
4878clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
4879
4880 :try
4881 : ...
4882 : ... TRY BLOCK
4883 : ...
4884 :catch /{pattern}/
4885 : ...
4886 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
4887 : ...
4888 :catch /{pattern}/
4889 : ...
4890 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
4891 : ...
4892 :finally
4893 : ...
4894 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
4895 : ...
4896 :endtry
4897
4898The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
4899appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
4900from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
4901 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
4902is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
4903script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
4904 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
4905lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
4906patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
4907after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
4908executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
4909":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
4910(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
4911continues in the following line as usual.
4912 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
4913":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
4914that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
4915finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
4916the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
4917the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
4918see |try-nesting|.
4919 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
4920remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
4921not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
4922try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
4923a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
4924execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
4925exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
4926 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
4927thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
4928clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
4929catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
4930following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
4931clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
4932
4933The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
4934a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
4935try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
4936from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
4937sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
4938":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
4939":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
4940from the finally clause.
4941 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
4942try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
4943clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
4944":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
4945clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
4946":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
4947this pending exception or command is discarded.
4948
4949For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
4950
4951
4952NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
4953
4954Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
4955conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
4956clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
4957catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
4958of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
4959checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
4960try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
4961otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
4962nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
4963one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
4964the inner try conditional.
4965
4966When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
4967finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
4968An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
4969thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
4970implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
4971as usual.
4972
4973For examples see |throw-catch|.
4974
4975
4976EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
4977
4978Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
4979'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
4980script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
4981finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
4982a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
4983(see |debug-scripts|).
4984
4985
4986THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
4987
4988You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
4989and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
4990 :throw 4711
4991 :throw "string"
4992< *throw-expression*
4993You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
4994first, and the result is thrown: >
4995 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
4996 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
4997
4998An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
4999command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
5000The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
5001 Example: >
5002
5003 :function! Foo(arg)
5004 : try
5005 : throw a:arg
5006 : catch /foo/
5007 : endtry
5008 : return 1
5009 :endfunction
5010 :
5011 :function! Bar()
5012 : echo "in Bar"
5013 : return 4710
5014 :endfunction
5015 :
5016 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
5017
5018This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
5019executed. >
5020 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
5021however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
5022
5023Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
5024abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
5025exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
5026 Example: >
5027
5028 :if Foo("arrgh")
5029 : echo "then"
5030 :else
5031 : echo "else"
5032 :endif
5033
5034Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
5035
5036 *catch-order*
5037Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
5038commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
5039command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
5040gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
5041 Example: >
5042
5043 :function! Foo(value)
5044 : try
5045 : throw a:value
5046 : catch /^\d\+$/
5047 : echo "Number thrown"
5048 : catch /.*/
5049 : echo "String thrown"
5050 : endtry
5051 :endfunction
5052 :
5053 :call Foo(0x1267)
5054 :call Foo('string')
5055
5056The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
5057An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
5058specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
5059specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
5060
5061 : catch /.*/
5062 : echo "String thrown"
5063 : catch /^\d\+$/
5064 : echo "Number thrown"
5065
5066The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
5067never taken.
5068
5069 *throw-variables*
5070If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
5071in the variable |v:exception|: >
5072
5073 : catch /^\d\+$/
5074 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
5075
5076You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
5077|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
5078exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
5079 Example: >
5080
5081 :function! Caught()
5082 : if v:exception != ""
5083 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
5084 : else
5085 : echo 'Nothing caught'
5086 : endif
5087 :endfunction
5088 :
5089 :function! Foo()
5090 : try
5091 : try
5092 : try
5093 : throw 4711
5094 : finally
5095 : call Caught()
5096 : endtry
5097 : catch /.*/
5098 : call Caught()
5099 : throw "oops"
5100 : endtry
5101 : catch /.*/
5102 : call Caught()
5103 : finally
5104 : call Caught()
5105 : endtry
5106 :endfunction
5107 :
5108 :call Foo()
5109
5110This displays >
5111
5112 Nothing caught
5113 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
5114 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
5115 Nothing caught
5116
5117A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
5118number in the script or function where it has been used: >
5119
5120 :function! LineNumber()
5121 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
5122 :endfunction
5123 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
5124<
5125 *try-nested*
5126An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
5127a surrounding try conditional: >
5128
5129 :try
5130 : try
5131 : throw "foo"
5132 : catch /foobar/
5133 : echo "foobar"
5134 : finally
5135 : echo "inner finally"
5136 : endtry
5137 :catch /foo/
5138 : echo "foo"
5139 :endtry
5140
5141The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
5142clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
5143conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
5144
5145 *throw-from-catch*
5146You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
5147catch clause: >
5148
5149 :function! Foo()
5150 : throw "foo"
5151 :endfunction
5152 :
5153 :function! Bar()
5154 : try
5155 : call Foo()
5156 : catch /foo/
5157 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
5158 : throw "bar"
5159 : endtry
5160 :endfunction
5161 :
5162 :try
5163 : call Bar()
5164 :catch /.*/
5165 : echo "Caught" v:exception
5166 :endtry
5167
5168This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
5169
5170 *rethrow*
5171There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
5172"v:exception" instead: >
5173
5174 :function! Bar()
5175 : try
5176 : call Foo()
5177 : catch /.*/
5178 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
5179 : throw v:exception
5180 : endtry
5181 :endfunction
5182< *try-echoerr*
5183Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
5184exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
5185Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
5186denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
5187the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
5188
5189 :try
5190 : try
5191 : asdf
5192 : catch /.*/
5193 : echoerr v:exception
5194 : endtry
5195 :catch /.*/
5196 : echo v:exception
5197 :endtry
5198
5199This code displays
5200
5201 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
5202
5203
5204CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
5205
5206Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
5207user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
5208an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
5209a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
5210catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
5211a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
5212normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
5213(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
5214to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
5215clause has been executed.)
5216Example: >
5217
5218 :try
5219 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
5220 : set ts=17
5221 :
5222 : " Do the hard work here.
5223 :
5224 :finally
5225 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
5226 : unlet s:saved_ts
5227 :endtry
5228
5229This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
5230changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
5231that function or script part.
5232
5233 *break-finally*
5234Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
5235a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
5236 Example: >
5237
5238 :let first = 1
5239 :while 1
5240 : try
5241 : if first
5242 : echo "first"
5243 : let first = 0
5244 : continue
5245 : else
5246 : throw "second"
5247 : endif
5248 : catch /.*/
5249 : echo v:exception
5250 : break
5251 : finally
5252 : echo "cleanup"
5253 : endtry
5254 : echo "still in while"
5255 :endwhile
5256 :echo "end"
5257
5258This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
5259
5260 :function! Foo()
5261 : try
5262 : return 4711
5263 : finally
5264 : echo "cleanup\n"
5265 : endtry
5266 : echo "Foo still active"
5267 :endfunction
5268 :
5269 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
5270
5271This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
5272extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
5273return value.)
5274
5275 *except-from-finally*
5276Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
5277a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
5278cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
5279exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
5280 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
5281working correctly: >
5282
5283 :try
5284 : try
5285 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
5286 : while 1
5287 : endwhile
5288 : finally
5289 : unlet novar
5290 : endtry
5291 :catch /novar/
5292 :endtry
5293 :echo "Script still running"
5294 :sleep 1
5295
5296If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
5297think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
5298|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
5299
5300
5301CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
5302
5303If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
5304watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
5305presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
5306exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
5307the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
5308the error exception is.
5309 Error exceptions have the following format: >
5310
5311 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
5312or >
5313 Vim:{errmsg}
5314
5315{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
5316the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
5317when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
5318a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
5319a space.
5320
5321Examples:
5322
5323The command >
5324 :unlet novar
5325normally produces the error message >
5326 E108: No such variable: "novar"
5327which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5328 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
5329
5330The command >
5331 :dwim
5332normally produces the error message >
5333 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
5334which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5335 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
5336
5337You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
5338 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
5339or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
5340 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
5341
5342Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
5343 :function nofunc
5344and >
5345 :delfunction nofunc
5346both produce the error message >
5347 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5348which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5349 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5350or >
5351 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5352respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
5353command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
5354 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
5355
5356Some commands like >
5357 :let x = novar
5358produce multiple error messages, here: >
5359 E121: Undefined variable: novar
5360 E15: Invalid expression: novar
5361Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
5362one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
5363 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
5364
5365You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
5366 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
5367
5368You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
5369 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
5370
5371You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
5372 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
5373<
5374 *catch-text*
5375NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
5376 :catch /No such variable/
5377only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
5378a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
5379cite the message text in a comment: >
5380 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
5381
5382
5383IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
5384
5385You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
5386
5387 :try
5388 : write
5389 :catch
5390 :endtry
5391
5392But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
5393catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
5394be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
5395
5396 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
5397
5398There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
5399writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
5400then hide the error from the user.
5401 It is much better to use >
5402
5403 :try
5404 : write
5405 :catch /^Vim(write):/
5406 :endtry
5407
5408which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
5409intentionally.
5410
5411For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
5412even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
5413command: >
5414 :silent! nunmap k
5415This works also when a try conditional is active.
5416
5417
5418CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
5419
5420When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
5421the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
5422script is not terminated, then.
5423 Example: >
5424
5425 :function! TASK1()
5426 : sleep 10
5427 :endfunction
5428
5429 :function! TASK2()
5430 : sleep 20
5431 :endfunction
5432
5433 :while 1
5434 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
5435 : try
5436 : if command == ""
5437 : continue
5438 : elseif command == "END"
5439 : break
5440 : elseif command == "TASK1"
5441 : call TASK1()
5442 : elseif command == "TASK2"
5443 : call TASK2()
5444 : else
5445 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
5446 : continue
5447 : endif
5448 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
5449 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
5450 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
5451 : endtry
5452 :endwhile
5453
5454You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
5455a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
5456
5457For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
5458your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
5459command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
5460
5461
5462CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
5463
5464The commands >
5465
5466 :catch /.*/
5467 :catch //
5468 :catch
5469
5470catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
5471explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
5472a script in order to catch unexpected things.
5473 Example: >
5474
5475 :try
5476 :
5477 : " do the hard work here
5478 :
5479 :catch /MyException/
5480 :
5481 : " handle known problem
5482 :
5483 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
5484 : echo "Script interrupted"
5485 :catch /.*/
5486 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
5487 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
5488 :endtry
5489 :" end of script
5490
5491Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
5492strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
5493specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
5494 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
5495by pressing CTRL-C: >
5496
5497 :while 1
5498 : try
5499 : sleep 1
5500 : catch
5501 : endtry
5502 :endwhile
5503
5504
5505EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
5506
5507Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
5508
5509 :autocmd User x try
5510 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
5511 :autocmd User x catch
5512 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
5513 :autocmd User x endtry
5514 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
5515 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
5516 :
5517 :try
5518 : doautocmd User x
5519 :catch
5520 : echo v:exception
5521 :endtry
5522
5523This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
5524
5525 *except-autocmd-Pre*
5526For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
5527command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
5528of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
5529abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
5530 Example: >
5531
5532 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
5533 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
5534 :
5535 :try
5536 : write
5537 :catch
5538 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
5539 :endtry
5540
5541Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
5542you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
5543autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
5544script displays: >
5545
5546 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
5547<
5548 *except-autocmd-Post*
5549For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
5550command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
5551an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
5552is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
5553 Example: >
5554
5555 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
5556 :
5557 :try
5558 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5559 :catch
5560 : echo v:exception
5561 :endtry
5562
5563This just displays: >
5564
5565 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
5566
5567If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
5568fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
5569 Example: >
5570
5571 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
5572 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
5573 :
5574 :try
5575 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5576 :catch
5577 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5578 :endtry
5579<
5580You can also use ":silent!": >
5581
5582 :let x = "ok"
5583 :let v:errmsg = ""
5584 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
5585 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
5586 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
5587 :try
5588 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5589 :catch
5590 :endtry
5591 :echo x
5592
5593This displays "after fail".
5594
5595If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
5596autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
5597
5598 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
5599 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
5600 :
5601 :try
5602 : write
5603 :catch
5604 : echo v:exception
5605 :endtry
5606<
5607 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
5608For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
5609autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
5610of the command.
5611 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
5612had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
5613some way. >
5614
5615 :if !exists("cnt")
5616 : let cnt = 0
5617 :
5618 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
5619 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
5620 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
5621 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
5622 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
5623 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
5624 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
5625 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
5626 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
5627 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
5628 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
5629 :endif
5630 :
5631 :try
5632 : write
5633 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
5634 : if &modified
5635 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
5636 : else
5637 : echo "Error after writing"
5638 : endif
5639 :catch /^Vim(write):/
5640 : echo "Error on writing"
5641 :endtry
5642
5643When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
5644first >
5645 File successfully written!
5646then >
5647 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
5648then >
5649 Error after writing
5650etc.
5651
5652 *except-autocmd-ill*
5653You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
5654The following code is ill-formed: >
5655
5656 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
5657 :
5658 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
5659 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
5660 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
5661 :
5662 :write
5663
5664
5665EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
5666
5667Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
5668pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
5669similar things in Vim.
5670 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
5671class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
5672string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
5673 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
5674it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
5675for an error when writing "myfile".
5676 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
5677base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
5678parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
5679 Example: >
5680
5681 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
5682 : if a:a < 0
5683 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
5684 : endif
5685 :endfunction
5686 :
5687 :function! Add(a, b)
5688 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
5689 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
5690 : let c = a:a + a:b
5691 : if c < 0
5692 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
5693 : endif
5694 : return c
5695 :endfunction
5696 :
5697 :function! Div(a, b)
5698 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
5699 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
5700 : if (a:b == 0)
5701 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
5702 : endif
5703 : return a:a / a:b
5704 :endfunction
5705 :
5706 :function! Write(file)
5707 : try
5708 : execute "write" a:file
5709 : catch /^Vim(write):/
5710 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
5711 : endtry
5712 :endfunction
5713 :
5714 :try
5715 :
5716 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
5717 :
5718 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
5719 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
5720 : echo "Range error in" function
5721 :
5722 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
5723 : echo "Math error"
5724 :
5725 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
5726 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
5727 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
5728 : if file !~ '^/'
5729 : let file = dir . "/" . file
5730 : endif
5731 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
5732 :
5733 :catch /^EXCEPT/
5734 : echo "Unspecified error"
5735 :
5736 :endtry
5737
5738The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
5739a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
5740exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
5741 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
5742failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
5743
5744
5745PECULIARITIES
5746 *except-compat*
5747The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
5748exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
5749and/or a catch clause.
5750
5751In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
5752continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
5753after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
5754functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
5755or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
5756(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
5757
5758This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
5759immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
5760conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
5761be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
5762termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
5763catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
5764by specifying a finally clause.)
5765
5766When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
5767behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
5768scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
5769
5770However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
5771commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
5772conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
5773script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
5774error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
5775messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
5776|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
5777not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
5778where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
5779error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
5780scripts.
5781
5782 *except-syntax-err*
5783Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
5784the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
5785clauses, however, is executed.
5786 Example: >
5787
5788 :try
5789 : try
5790 : throw 4711
5791 : catch /\(/
5792 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
5793 : catch
5794 : echo "inner catch-all"
5795 : finally
5796 : echo "inner finally"
5797 : endtry
5798 :catch
5799 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
5800 : finally
5801 : echo "outer finally"
5802 :endtry
5803
5804This displays: >
5805 inner finally
5806 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
5807 outer finally
5808The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
5809
5810 *except-single-line*
5811The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
5812a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
5813"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
5814 Example: >
5815 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
5816raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
5817argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
5818error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
5819displayed.
5820
5821 *except-several-errors*
5822When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
5823usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
5824 Example: >
5825 echo novar
5826causes >
5827 E121: Undefined variable: novar
5828 E15: Invalid expression: novar
5829The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
5830 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
5831< *except-syntax-error*
5832But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
5833the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
5834 Example: >
5835 unlet novar #
5836causes >
5837 E108: No such variable: "novar"
5838 E488: Trailing characters
5839The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
5840 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
5841This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
5842not intended by the user. Example: >
5843 try
5844 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
5845 catch /.*/
5846 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
5847 endtry
5848This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
5849a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
5850
5851==============================================================================
58529. Examples *eval-examples*
5853
5854Printing in Hex ~
5855>
5856 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
5857 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
5858 : let n = a:nr
5859 : let r = ""
5860 : while n
5861 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
5862 : let n = n / 16
5863 : endwhile
5864 : return r
5865 :endfunc
5866
5867 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
5868 :" character Hex string.
5869 :func String2Hex(str)
5870 : let out = ''
5871 : let ix = 0
5872 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
5873 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
5874 : let ix = ix + 1
5875 : endwhile
5876 : return out
5877 :endfunc
5878
5879Example of its use: >
5880 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
5881result: "20" >
5882 :echo String2Hex("32")
5883result: "3332"
5884
5885
5886Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
5887
5888Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
5889":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
5890platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
5891function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
5892with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
5893>
5894 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
5895 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
5896 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
5897 : return -1
5898 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
5899 : return 1
5900 : else
5901 : return 0
5902 : endif
5903 :endfunction
5904
5905 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
5906 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
5907 : if (a:start >= a:end)
5908 : return
5909 : endif
5910 : let partition = a:start - 1
5911 : let middle = partition
5912 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
5913 : let i = a:start
5914 : while (i <= a:end)
5915 : let str = getline(i)
5916 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
5917 : if (result <= 0)
5918 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
5919 : let partition = partition + 1
5920 : if (result == 0)
5921 : let middle = partition
5922 : endif
5923 : if (i != partition)
5924 : let str2 = getline(partition)
5925 : call setline(i, str2)
5926 : call setline(partition, str)
5927 : endif
5928 : endif
5929 : let i = i + 1
5930 : endwhile
5931
5932 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
5933 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
5934 : " the end of the partition.
5935 : if (middle != partition)
5936 : let str = getline(middle)
5937 : let str2 = getline(partition)
5938 : call setline(middle, str2)
5939 : call setline(partition, str)
5940 : endif
5941 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
5942 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
5943 :endfunc
5944
5945 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
5946 :" function that will compare two lines.
5947 :func! Sort(cmp) range
5948 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
5949 :endfunc
5950
5951 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
5952 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
5953<
5954 *sscanf*
5955There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
5956line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
5957how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
5958"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
5959 :" Set up the match bit
5960 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
5961 :"get the part matching the whole expression
5962 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
5963 :"get each item out of the match
5964 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
5965 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
5966 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
5967
5968The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
5969"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
5970
5971==============================================================================
597210. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
5973
5974When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
5975evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
5976to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
5977recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
5978and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
5979only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
5980recognized.
5981
5982Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
5983missing: >
5984
5985 :if 1
5986 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
5987 :else
5988 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
5989 :endif
5990
5991==============================================================================
599211. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
5993
5994The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
5995options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
5996these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
5997these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
5998a tags file is executed.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00005999The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006000
6001These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
6002 - changing the buffer text
6003 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
6004 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
6005 - executing a shell command
6006 - reading or writing a file
6007 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006008This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
6009
6010 *:san* *:sandbox*
6011:sandbox {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
6012 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
6013 'foldexpr'.
6014
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006015
6016 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: