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Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0c. Last change: 2006 Apr 09
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 Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00003112. Textlock |textlock|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000032
33{Vi does not have any of these commands}
34
35==============================================================================
361. Variables *variables*
37
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000039 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000040There are five types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000042Number A 32 bit signed number.
43 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
44
45String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
46 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
47
48Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
49 Example: function("strlen")
50
51List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
52 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000053
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000054Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
55 value. |Dictionary|
56 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
57
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000058The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
59are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000060
61Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
62the Number. Examples: >
63 Number 123 --> String "123"
64 Number 0 --> String "0"
65 Number -1 --> String "-1"
66
67Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
68to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
69the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
70 String "456" --> Number 456
71 String "6bar" --> Number 6
72 String "foo" --> Number 0
73 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
74 String "0100" --> Number 64
75 String "-8" --> Number -8
76 String "+8" --> Number 0
77
78To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
79 :echo "0100" + 0
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +000080< 64 ~
81
82To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different
83base, use |str2nr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000084
85For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
86
87Note that in the command >
88 :if "foo"
89"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
90use strlen(): >
91 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000092< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
93List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000094
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000095 *E706*
96You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
97to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000098equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000099 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000100 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000101 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000102
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000103
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001041.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000105 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000106A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000107in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
108around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000109
110 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
111 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000112< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000113A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:", "t:" or "b:". You
114cannot have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000115
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000116A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
117Dictionary entry. Example: >
118 :function dict.init() dict
119 : let self.val = 0
120 :endfunction
121
122The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
123function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
124
125A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
126 :call Fn()
127 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000128
129The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000130 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000131
132You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
133arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000134 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000135
136
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001371.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000138 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000139A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
140can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
141position in the sequence.
142
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143
144List creation ~
145 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000146A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000147Examples: >
148 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
149 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000150
151An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000152nested List: >
153 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000154
155An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
156
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000157
158List index ~
159 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000160An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000161after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
162 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000163 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000164
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000165When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000166 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000167<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000168A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
169the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000170 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
171
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000172To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000173is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000174 :echo get(mylist, idx)
175 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
176
177
178List concatenation ~
179
180Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
181 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000182 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000183
184To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
185it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
186
187
188Sublist ~
189
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000190A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
191separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000192 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000193
194Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
195similar to -1. The difference is that there is no error if the items are not
196available. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000197 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
198 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
199 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000200
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000201The second index can be just before the first index. In that case the result
202is an empty list. If the second index is lower, this results in an error. >
203 :echo mylist[2:1] " result: []
204 :echo mylist[2:0] " error!
205
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000206NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
207using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
208mylist[s : e].
209
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000210
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000211List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000212 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000213When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
214variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
215change "bb": >
216 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
217 :let bb = aa
218 :call add(aa, 4)
219 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000220< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000221
222Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
223works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000224a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000225 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
226 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000227 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000228 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
229 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000230< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000231 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000232< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000233
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000234To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000235copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000236
237The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000238List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000239the same value. >
240 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
241 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
242 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000243< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000244 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000245< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000246
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000247Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
248same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000249exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
250different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
251variables. Example: >
252 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000253< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000254 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000255< 0
256
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000257Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
258can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a string: >
259
260 :let a = 5
261 :let b = "5"
262 echo a == b
263< 1 >
264 echo [a] == [b]
265< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000266
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000267
268List unpack ~
269
270To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
271square brackets, like list items: >
272 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
273
274When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
275this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
276and a variable name: >
277 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
278
279This works like: >
280 :let var1 = mylist[0]
281 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000282 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000283
284Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
285empty list then.
286
287
288List modification ~
289 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000290To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000291 :let list[4] = "four"
292 :let listlist[0][3] = item
293
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000294To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000295modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000296 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
297
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000298Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
299examples: >
300 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
301 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
302 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000303 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000304 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
305 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000306 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000307 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000308 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000309 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000310
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000311Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000312 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
313 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
314
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000315
316For loop ~
317
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000318The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
319to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000320 :for item in mylist
321 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000322 :endfor
323
324This works like: >
325 :let index = 0
326 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000327 : let item = mylist[index]
328 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000329 : let index = index + 1
330 :endwhile
331
332Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000333results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000334the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000335
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000336If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000337function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000338
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000339Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
340requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
341 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
342 : call Doit(lnum, col)
343 :endfor
344
345This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
346must remain the same to avoid an error.
347
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000348It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000349 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
350 : call Doit(i, j)
351 : if !empty(rest)
352 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
353 : endif
354 :endfor
355
356
357List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000358 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000359Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000360 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000361 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000362 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
363 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
364 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000365 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
366 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000367 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
368 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000369 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
370 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000371 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
372 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000373
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000374Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
375example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
376 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
377
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000378
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003791.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000380 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000381A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000382entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
383ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000384
385
386Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000387 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000388A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000389braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
390only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000391 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
392 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000393< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000394A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
395String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000396entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
397Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000398
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000399A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000400nested Dictionary: >
401 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
402
403An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
404
405
406Accessing entries ~
407
408The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
409 :let val = mydict["one"]
410 :let mydict["four"] = 4
411
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000412You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000413
414For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
415form can be used |expr-entry|: >
416 :let val = mydict.one
417 :let mydict.four = 4
418
419Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
420key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000421 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000422
423
424Dictionary to List conversion ~
425
426You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
427turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
428
429Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
430 :for key in keys(mydict)
431 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
432 :endfor
433
434The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
435 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
436
437To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
438 :for v in values(mydict)
439 : echo "value: " . v
440 :endfor
441
442If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000443a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000444 :for entry in items(mydict)
445 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
446 :endfor
447
448
449Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000450 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000451Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
452Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
453Dictionary: >
454 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
455 :let adict = onedict
456 :let adict['a'] = 11
457 :echo onedict['a']
458 11
459
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000460Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
461more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000462
463
464Dictionary modification ~
465 *dict-modification*
466To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
467use |:let| this way: >
468 :let dict[4] = "four"
469 :let dict['one'] = item
470
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000471Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
472Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
473 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
474 :unlet dict.aaa
475 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000476
477Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000478 :call extend(adict, bdict)
479This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
480in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000481Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
482expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
483adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000484
485Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +0000486 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000487This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000488
489
490Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000491 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000492When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
493special way with a dictionary. Example: >
494 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000495 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000496 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000497 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
498 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000499
500This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
501Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
502the function was invoked from.
503
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000504It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
505Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
506
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000507 *numbered-function* *anonymous-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000508To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
509assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000510 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
511 :function mydict.len() dict
512 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000513 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000514 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000515
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000516The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
517that references this function. The function can only be used through a
518|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
519remaining that refers to it.
520
521It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000522
523
524Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000525 *E715*
526Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000527 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
528 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
529 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
530 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
531 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
532 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
533 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
534 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000535
536
5371.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000538 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000539If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
540function.
541
542When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
543start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
544stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
545
546When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
547start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
548stored in the session file |session-file|.
549
550variable name can be stored where ~
551my_var_6 not
552My_Var_6 session file
553MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
554
555
556It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
557|curly-braces-names|.
558
559==============================================================================
5602. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
561
562Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
563
564|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
565
566|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
567
568|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
569
570|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
571 expr5 != expr5 not equal
572 expr5 > expr5 greater than
573 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
574 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
575 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
576 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
577 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
578
579 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
580 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
581 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
582 matching case
583
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000584 expr5 is expr5 same |List| instance
585 expr5 isnot expr5 different |List| instance
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000586
587|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000588 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
589 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
590
591|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
592 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
593 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
594
595|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
596 - expr7 unary minus
597 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000598
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000599
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000600|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a |List|
601 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a |List|
602 expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary|
603 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with |Funcref| variable
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000604
605|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000606 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000607 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000608 [expr1, ...] |List|
609 {expr1: expr1, ...} |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000610 &option option value
611 (expr1) nested expression
612 variable internal variable
613 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
614 $VAR environment variable
615 @r contents of register 'r'
616 function(expr1, ...) function call
617 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
618
619
620".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
621Example: >
622 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
623
624All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
625
626
627expr1 *expr1* *E109*
628-----
629
630expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
631
632The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
633non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
634otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
635Example: >
636 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
637
638Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
639other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
640Example: >
641 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
642
643To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
644 :echo lnum == 1
645 :\ ? "top"
646 :\ : lnum == 1000
647 :\ ? "last"
648 :\ : lnum
649
650
651expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
652---------------
653
654 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
655The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
656are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
657
658 input output ~
659n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
660zero zero zero zero
661zero non-zero non-zero zero
662non-zero zero non-zero zero
663non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
664
665The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
666
667 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
668
669Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
670
671 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
672
673Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
674arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
675
676 let a = 1
677 echo a || b
678
679This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
680so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
681
682 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
683
684This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
685only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
686
687
688expr4 *expr4*
689-----
690
691expr5 {cmp} expr5
692
693Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
694if it evaluates to true.
695
696 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
697 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
698 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
699 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
700 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
701 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000702 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000703 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
704equal == ==# ==?
705not equal != !=# !=?
706greater than > ># >?
707greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
708smaller than < <# <?
709smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
710regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
711regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000712same instance is
713different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000714
715Examples:
716"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
717"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
718"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
719
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000720 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000721A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
722"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
723Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000724
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000725 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000726A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
727equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000728recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
729
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000730 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000731A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
732equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000733
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000734When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| this checks if the expressions are
735referring to the same |List| instance. A copy of a |List| is different from
736the original |List|. When using "is" without a |List| it is equivalent to
737using "equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000738different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
739is false.
740
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000741When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
742and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
743because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
744
745When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
746results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
747necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
748
749When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
750'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
751
752When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
753'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
754
755The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
756argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
757This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
758matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
759portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
760single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
761Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
762(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
763can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
764 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
765 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
766
767
768expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
769---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000770expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000771expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
772expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000773
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +0000774For |Lists| only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000775result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000776
777expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
778expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
779expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000780
781For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
782
783Note the difference between "+" and ".":
784 "123" + "456" = 579
785 "123" . "456" = "123456"
786
787When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
788When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
789
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000790None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000791
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000792
793expr7 *expr7*
794-----
795! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
796- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
797+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
798
799For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
800For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
801For '+' the number is unchanged.
802
803A String will be converted to a Number first.
804
805These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
806 !-1 == 0
807 !!8 == 1
808 --9 == 9
809
810
811expr8 *expr8*
812-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000813expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000814
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000815If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
816expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000817Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000818
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000819Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
820text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
821cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000822 :let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000823
824If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000825String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
826compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
827
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000828If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000829for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
830error. Example: >
831 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
832
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000833Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
834|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
835error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000836
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000837
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000838expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000839
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000840If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
841from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000842expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
843encodings.
844
845If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
846string minus one is used.
847
848A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
849the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
850
851If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
852expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
853
854Examples: >
855 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
856 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
857 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
858 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
859
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000860If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
861the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
862just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000863 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
864 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
865 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
866
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000867Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
868error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000869
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000870
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000871expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000872
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000873If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
874name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
875expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000876
877The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
878but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
879
880There must not be white space before or after the dot.
881
882Examples: >
883 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
884 :echo dict.one
885 :echo dict .2
886
887Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
888always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
889
890
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000891expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000892
893When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
894
895
896
897 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000898number
899------
900number number constant *expr-number*
901
902Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
903
904
905string *expr-string* *E114*
906------
907"string" string constant *expr-quote*
908
909Note that double quotes are used.
910
911A string constant accepts these special characters:
912\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
913\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
914\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
915\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
916\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
917\X.. same as \x..
918\X. same as \x.
919\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
920 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
921\U.... same as \u....
922\b backspace <BS>
923\e escape <Esc>
924\f formfeed <FF>
925\n newline <NL>
926\r return <CR>
927\t tab <Tab>
928\\ backslash
929\" double quote
930\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
931
932Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
933
934
935literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
936---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000937'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000938
939Note that single quotes are used.
940
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000941This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000942meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000943
944Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
945to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
946 if a =~ "\\s*"
947 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000948
949
950option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
951------
952&option option value, local value if possible
953&g:option global option value
954&l:option local option value
955
956Examples: >
957 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
958 if &insertmode
959
960Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
961and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
962anyway.
963
964
965register *expr-register*
966--------
967@r contents of register 'r'
968
969The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
970Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +0000971register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
972registers.
973
974When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
975evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000976
977
978nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
979-------
980(expr1) nested expression
981
982
983environment variable *expr-env*
984--------------------
985$VAR environment variable
986
987The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
988result is an empty string.
989 *expr-env-expand*
990Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
991expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
992are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
993the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
994fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
995does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
996 :echo $version
997 :echo expand("$version")
998The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
999variable (if your shell supports it).
1000
1001
1002internal variable *expr-variable*
1003-----------------
1004variable internal variable
1005See below |internal-variables|.
1006
1007
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001008function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001009-------------
1010function(expr1, ...) function call
1011See below |functions|.
1012
1013
1014==============================================================================
10153. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1016 *E461*
1017An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1018cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1019|curly-braces-names|.
1020
1021An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001022An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1023|:unlet|.
1024Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1025been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001026
1027There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1028specified by what is prepended:
1029
1030 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1031|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1032|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001033|tabpage-variable| t: Local to the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001034|global-variable| g: Global.
1035|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1036|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1037|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1038|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1039
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001040The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1041delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001042 :for k in keys(s:)
1043 : unlet s:[k]
1044 :endfor
1045<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001046 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1047A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1048Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1049This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1050|:bdelete|.
1051
1052One local buffer variable is predefined:
1053 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1054b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1055 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1056 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1057 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1058 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1059 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1060 : call My_Update()
1061 :endif
1062<
1063 *window-variable* *w:var*
1064A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1065is deleted when the window is closed.
1066
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001067 *tabpage-variable* *t:var*
1068A variable name that is preceded with "t:" is local to the current tab page,
1069It is deleted when the tab page is closed. {not available when compiled
1070without the +windows feature}
1071
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001072 *global-variable* *g:var*
1073Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1074access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1075place if you like.
1076
1077 *local-variable* *l:var*
1078Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1079But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1080
1081 *script-variable* *s:var*
1082In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1083accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1084
1085They can be used in:
1086- commands executed while the script is sourced
1087- functions defined in the script
1088- autocommands defined in the script
1089- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1090 defined in the script (recursively)
1091- user defined commands defined in the script
1092Thus not in:
1093- other scripts sourced from this one
1094- mappings
1095- etc.
1096
1097script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1098Take this example:
1099
1100 let s:counter = 0
1101 function MyCounter()
1102 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1103 echo s:counter
1104 endfunction
1105 command Tick call MyCounter()
1106
1107You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1108that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1109"Tick" was defined is used.
1110
1111Another example that does the same: >
1112
1113 let s:counter = 0
1114 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1115
1116When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001117script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001118defined.
1119
1120The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1121function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1122
1123 let s:counter = 0
1124 function StartCounting(incr)
1125 if a:incr
1126 function MyCounter()
1127 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1128 endfunction
1129 else
1130 function MyCounter()
1131 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1132 endfunction
1133 endif
1134 endfunction
1135
1136This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1137when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1138called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1139
1140When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1141They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1142maintain a counter: >
1143
1144 if !exists("s:counter")
1145 let s:counter = 1
1146 echo "script executed for the first time"
1147 else
1148 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1149 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1150 endif
1151
1152Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1153variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1154
1155
1156Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1157
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001158 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1159v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1160 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1161 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1162
1163 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1164v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1165 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1166
1167 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1168v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1169 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1170
1171 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001172v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1173 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1174 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1175 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001176 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1177 highlighted text is used.
1178 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1179
1180 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1181v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1182 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1183
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001184 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1185v:charconvert_from
1186 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1187 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1188
1189 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1190v:charconvert_to
1191 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1192 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1193
1194 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1195v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1196 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1197 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1198 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1199 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1200 possible to append this variable directly after the
1201 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1202 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1203 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1204 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1205 in 'printexpr'.
1206
1207 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1208v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1209 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1210 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1211 can be used.
1212
1213 *v:count* *count-variable*
1214v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1215 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1216 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1217< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1218 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001219 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001220 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1221
1222 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1223v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1224 used.
1225
1226 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1227v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1228 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1229 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1230 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1231 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1232 command.
1233 See |multi-lang|.
1234
1235 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1236v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1237 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1238 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1239 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1240 Example: >
1241 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1242<
1243 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1244v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1245 Example: >
1246 :let v:errmsg = ""
1247 :silent! next
1248 :if v:errmsg != ""
1249 : ... handle error
1250< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1251
1252 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1253v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1254 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1255 Example: >
1256 :try
1257 : throw "oops"
1258 :catch /.*/
1259 : echo "caught" v:exception
1260 :endtry
1261< Output: "caught oops".
1262
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001263 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1264v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1265 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1266 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1267 deleted file no longer exists
1268 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1269 changed and buffer is modified
1270 changed file contents has changed
1271 mode mode of file changed
1272 time only file timestamp changed
1273
1274 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1275v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1276 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1277 do with the affected buffer:
1278 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1279 the file was deleted).
1280 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1281 was no autocommand. Except that when
1282 only the timestamp changed nothing
1283 will happen.
1284 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1285 everything that needs to be done.
1286 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1287 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1288
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001289 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001290v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001291 option used for ~
1292 'charconvert' file to be converted
1293 'diffexpr' original file
1294 'patchexpr' original file
1295 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001296 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001297
1298 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1299v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1300 evaluating:
1301 option used for ~
1302 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1303 'diffexpr' output of diff
1304 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1305 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1306 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1307 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1308 file and different from v:fname_in.
1309
1310 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1311v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1312 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1313
1314 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1315v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1316 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1317
1318 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1319v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1320 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001321 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001322
1323 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1324v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001325 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001326
1327 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1328v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001329 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001330
1331 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1332v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001333 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001334
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001335 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1336v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1337 events. Values:
1338 i Insert mode
1339 r Replace mode
1340 v Virtual Replace mode
1341
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001342 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001343v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001344 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1345 Read-only.
1346
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001347 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1348v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1349 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1350 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1351 The value is system dependent.
1352 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1353 command.
1354 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1355 in a different language than what is used for character
1356 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1357
1358 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1359v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1360 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1361 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1362 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1363 command. See |multi-lang|.
1364
1365 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001366v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
Bram Moolenaar5c8837f2006-02-25 21:52:33 +00001367 expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel'. Only valid
1368 while one of these expressions is being evaluated. Read-only
1369 when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001370
1371 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1372v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1373 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1374 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1375 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1376< Read-only.
1377
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001378 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1379v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1380 See |profiling|.
1381
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001382 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1383v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1384 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1385 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1386 Read-only.
1387
1388 *v:register* *register-variable*
1389v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1390 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1391
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001392 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1393v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1394 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1395 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1396 typed command.
1397 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1398 hit-enter prompt.
1399
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001400 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1401v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1402 Read-only.
1403
1404 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1405v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1406 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1407 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1408 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1409 executed. Read-only.
1410 Example: >
1411 :!mv foo bar
1412 :if v:shell_error
1413 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1414 :endif
1415< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1416
1417 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1418v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1419
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001420 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1421v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1422 the swap file found. Read-only.
1423
1424 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1425v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1426 for handling an existing swap file:
1427 'o' Open read-only
1428 'e' Edit anyway
1429 'r' Recover
1430 'd' Delete swapfile
1431 'q' Quit
1432 'a' Abort
1433 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
1434 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1435 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1436
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001437 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001438v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001439 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
1440 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
1441 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001442 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001443
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001444 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1445v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1446 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1447 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1448 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1449 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1450 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1451 terminal.
1452 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1453 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1454 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1455 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1456 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1457
1458 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1459v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1460 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1461 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1462 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1463
1464 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1465v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1466 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1467 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1468 Example: >
1469 :try
1470 : throw "oops"
1471 :catch /.*/
1472 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1473 :endtry
1474< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1475
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001476 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001477v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
1478 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001479 |filter()|. Read-only.
1480
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001481 *v:version* *version-variable*
1482v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1483 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1484 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1485 compatibility.
1486 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1487 if has("patch123")
1488< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1489 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1490 completely different.
1491
1492 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1493v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1494
1495==============================================================================
14964. Builtin Functions *functions*
1497
1498See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1499
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001500(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001501
1502USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1503
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001504add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001505append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001506append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001507argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001508argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001509argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001510argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001511browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1512 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001513browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001514bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001515buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1516bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001517bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1518bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1519bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1520byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001521byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001522call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1523 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001524changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001525char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001526cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001527col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00001528complete({startcol}, {matches}) String set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001529complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
1530complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001531confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1532 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001533copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001534count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1535 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001536cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1537 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001538cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {coladd}])
1539 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {coladd}
1540cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001541deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001542delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1543did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001544diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1545diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001546empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001547escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001548eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001549eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001550executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1551exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001552extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
1553 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001554expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
1555filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001556filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001557filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1558 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001559finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001560 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001561findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001562 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001563fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001564foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1565foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001566foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001567foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001568foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001569foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001570function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001571garbagecollect() none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001572get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001573get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001574getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1575 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001576getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001577getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1578getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001579getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1580getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001581getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001582getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001583getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1584getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001585getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001586getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001587getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001588getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1589getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001590getloclist({nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001591getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001592getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001593getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001594getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001595getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1596getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001597getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001598glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1599globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1600has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001601has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001602hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1603 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001604histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1605histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1606histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1607histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1608hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1609hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1610hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001611iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1612indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001613index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1614 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001615input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1616 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001617inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001618inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001619inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1620inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001621inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001622insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001623isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001624islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001625items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001626join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001627keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001628len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1629libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001630libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1631line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1632line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001633lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001634localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001635map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001636maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1637 String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1638mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1639 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001640match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001641 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001642matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001643matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001644 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001645matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1646 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001647matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1648 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001649max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1650min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001651mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1652 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001653mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001654nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1655nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001656pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001657prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00001658printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001659pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001660range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1661 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001662readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1663 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00001664reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
1665reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001666remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1667 String send expression
1668remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1669remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1670 Number check for reply string
1671remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1672remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1673 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001674remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001675remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001676rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1677repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1678resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001679reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001680search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001681searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
1682 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001683searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001684 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001685searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001686 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001687searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001688 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001689server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1690 Number send reply string
1691serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1692setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1693setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1694setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001695setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1696 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001697setpos( {expr}, {list}) none set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001698setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001699setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001700setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001701simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001702sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001703soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001704spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001705spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1706 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001707split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001708 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001709str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert string to number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001710strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001711stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1712 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001713string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001714strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1715strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1716 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001717strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1718 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001719strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001720submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001721substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1722 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001723synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001724synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1725 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1726synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001727system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001728tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1729tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1730tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1731 Number number of current window in tab page
1732taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00001733tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001734tempname() String name for a temporary file
1735tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1736toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001737tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1738 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001739type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001740values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001741virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1742visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1743winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1744wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1745winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1746winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001747winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001748winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00001749winrestview({dict}) None restore view of current window
1750winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001751winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001752writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1753 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001754
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001755add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001756 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
1757 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001758 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1759 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001760< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001761 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001762 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001763
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001764
1765append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001766 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
1767 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001768 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1769 the current buffer.
1770 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001771 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1772 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001773 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001774 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001775<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001776 *argc()*
1777argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1778 current window. See |arglist|.
1779
1780 *argidx()*
1781argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1782 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1783
1784 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001785argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001786 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1787 Example: >
1788 :let i = 0
1789 :while i < argc()
1790 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1791 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1792 : let i = i + 1
1793 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001794< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
1795 returned.
1796
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001797 *browse()*
1798browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1799 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1800 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1801 The input fields are:
1802 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1803 {title} title for the requester
1804 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1805 {default} default file name
1806 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1807 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1808
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001809 *browsedir()*
1810browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1811 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1812 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1813 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1814 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1815 to be used.
1816 The input fields are:
1817 {title} title for the requester
1818 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1819 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1820 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1821
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001822bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1823 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1824 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001825 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001826 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001827 exactly. The name can be:
1828 - Relative to the current directory.
1829 - A full path.
1830 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1831 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001832 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1833 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1834 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1835 long name to be able to find them.
1836 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1837 file name.
1838 *buffer_exists()*
1839 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1840
1841buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1842 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1843 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001844 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001845
1846bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1847 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1848 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001849 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001850
1851bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1852 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1853 ":ls" command.
1854 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1855 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1856 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1857 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1858 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1859 match an empty string is returned.
1860 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1861 alternate buffer.
1862 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1863 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1864 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1865 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1866 buffers are searched for.
1867 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1868 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1869 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1870< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1871 string is returned. >
1872 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1873 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1874 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1875 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1876< *buffer_name()*
1877 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1878
1879 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001880bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
1881 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001882 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001883 above.
1884 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
1885 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
1886 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001887 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1888 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1889< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1890 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1891 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1892 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1893 *buffer_number()*
1894 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1895 *last_buffer_nr()*
1896 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1897
1898bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1899 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1900 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1901 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1902 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1903
1904 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1905
1906< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1907 |:wincmd|.
1908
1909
1910byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1911 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1912 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1913 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1914 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1915 one.
1916 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1917 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1918 feature}
1919
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001920byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1921 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1922 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1923 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1924 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1925 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1926 Example : >
1927 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1928< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1929 same: >
1930 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1931 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1932< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1933 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1934 is returned.
1935
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001936call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001937 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001938 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001939 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001940 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1941 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001942 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1943 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001944
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001945changenr() *changenr()*
1946 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
1947 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
1948 with the |:undo| command.
1949 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
1950 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
1951 one less than the number of the undone change.
1952
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001953char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1954 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1955 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1956 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1957< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00001958 char2nr("?") returns 225
1959 char2nr("?"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001960< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001961
1962cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1963 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1964 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1965 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1966 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1967 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1968 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00001969 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001970
1971 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001972col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001973 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1974 . the cursor position
1975 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1976 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1977 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1978 returned)
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001979 To get the line number use |col()|. To get both use
1980 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001981 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1982 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1983 Examples: >
1984 col(".") column of cursor
1985 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1986 col("'t") column of mark t
1987 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1988< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
1989 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1990 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1991 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
1992 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
1993 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
1994 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
1995 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
1996<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001997
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00001998complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
1999 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2000 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
2001 with an expression argument |:map-<expr>| or CTRL-R =
2002 |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O.
2003 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2004 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2005 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2006 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2007 match.
2008 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2009 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2010 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
2011 inserting anything that would completion to stop.
2012 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2013 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2014 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2015 Example: >
2016 inoremap <expr> <F5> ListMonths()
2017
2018 func! ListMonths()
2019 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2020 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2021 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2022 return ''
2023 endfunc
2024< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2025 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2026
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002027complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2028 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2029 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2030 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2031 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2032 the list.
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002033 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
2034 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002035
2036complete_check() *complete_check()*
2037 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2038 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2039 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2040 zero otherwise.
2041 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2042 'completefunc' option.
2043
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002044 *confirm()*
2045confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2046 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2047 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2048 choice this is 1.
2049 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2050 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
2051 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2052 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2053 used (and translated).
2054 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2055 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
2056 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2057 by '\n', e.g. >
2058 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2059< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2060 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2061 not need to be the first letter: >
2062 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2063< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2064 the default shortcut key.
2065 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2066 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2067 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2068 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
2069 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
2070 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
2071 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
2072 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
2073 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2074 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2075 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2076
2077 An example: >
2078 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2079 :if choice == 0
2080 : echo "make up your mind!"
2081 :elseif choice == 3
2082 : echo "tasteful"
2083 :else
2084 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2085 :endif
2086< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2087 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
2088 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
2089 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2090 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2091 the horizontal layout is always used.
2092
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002093 *copy()*
2094copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2095 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002096 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2097 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002098 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002099 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002100 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002101
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002102count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002103 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002104 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002105 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002106 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002107 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2108
2109
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002110 *cscope_connection()*
2111cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2112 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2113 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2114 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2115 if there are no cscope connections;
2116 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2117
2118 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2119 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2120
2121 {num} Description of existence check
2122 ----- ------------------------------
2123 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2124 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2125 {dbpath}.
2126 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2127 {dbpath}.
2128 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2129 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2130 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2131 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2132
2133 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2134
2135 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2136
2137 # pid database name prepend path
2138 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2139<
2140 Invocation Return Val ~
2141 ---------- ---------- >
2142 cscope_connection() 1
2143 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2144 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2145 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2146 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2147 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2148 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2149 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2150<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002151cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2152cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002153 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002154 The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002155 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002156 with two or three items {lnum}, {col} and {off}. This is like
2157 the return value of |getpos()|, but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002158 Does not change the jumplist.
2159 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2160 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2161 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002162 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002163 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2164 line.
2165 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002166 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2167 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
2168 position within a Tab or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002169
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002170
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002171deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002172 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2173 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002174 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2175 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
2176 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002177 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002178 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2179 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2180 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2181 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2182 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2183 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002184 *E724*
2185 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002186 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2187 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002188 Also see |copy()|.
2189
2190delete({fname}) *delete()*
2191 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002192 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2193 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002194 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002195
2196 *did_filetype()*
2197did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2198 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2199 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2200 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2201 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2202 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2203 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2204 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2205 file.
2206
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002207diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2208 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2209 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2210 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2211 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2212 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2213 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2214 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2215
2216diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2217 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2218 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2219 diff change zero is returned.
2220 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2221 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2222 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2223 line.
2224 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2225 syntax information about the highlighting.
2226
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002227empty({expr}) *empty()*
2228 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002229 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
2230 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2231 For a long |List| this is much faster then comparing the
2232 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002233
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002234escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2235 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2236 backslash. Example: >
2237 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2238< results in: >
2239 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002240
2241< *eval()*
2242eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2243 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2244 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002245 Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002246
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002247eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2248 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2249 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2250 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2251 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2252
2253executable({expr}) *executable()*
2254 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2255 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002256 arguments.
2257 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2258 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2259 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2260 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2261 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2262 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2263 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2264 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2265 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2266 extension.
2267 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2268 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002269 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2270 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2271 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002272 The result is a Number:
2273 1 exists
2274 0 does not exist
2275 -1 not implemented on this system
2276
2277 *exists()*
2278exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2279 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2280 which contains one of these:
2281 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2282 not if it really works)
2283 +option-name Vim option that works.
2284 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2285 done by comparing with an empty
2286 string)
2287 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2288 or user defined function (see
2289 |user-functions|).
2290 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002291 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002292 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2293 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
2294 that this may cause functions to be
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002295 invoked cause an error message for an
2296 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002297 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2298 command or command modifier |:command|.
2299 Returns:
2300 1 for match with start of a command
2301 2 full match with a command
2302 3 matches several user commands
2303 To check for a supported command
2304 always check the return value to be 2.
2305 #event autocommand defined for this event
2306 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2307 pattern (the pattern is taken
2308 literally and compared to the
2309 autocommand patterns character by
2310 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002311 #group autocommand group exists
2312 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2313 event.
2314 #group#event#pattern
2315 autocommand defined for this group,
2316 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002317 ##event autocommand for this event is
2318 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002319 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2320
2321 Examples: >
2322 exists("&shortname")
2323 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2324 exists("*strftime")
2325 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2326 exists("bufcount")
2327 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002328 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002329 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002330 exists("#filetypeindent")
2331 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2332 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002333 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002334< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2335 name.
2336 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2337 variable itself! For example: >
2338 exists(bufcount)
2339< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
2340 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
2341 exists.
2342
2343expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2344 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2345 The result is a String.
2346
2347 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2348 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2349 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2350
2351 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2352 for a non-existing file is not included.
2353
2354 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2355 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2356 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2357
2358 % current file name
2359 # alternate file name
2360 #n alternate file name n
2361 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2362 <afile> autocmd file name
2363 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2364 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2365 <sfile> sourced script file name
2366 <cword> word under the cursor
2367 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2368 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2369 message |server2client()|
2370 Modifiers:
2371 :p expand to full path
2372 :h head (last path component removed)
2373 :t tail (last path component only)
2374 :r root (one extension removed)
2375 :e extension only
2376
2377 Example: >
2378 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2379< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2380 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2381 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2382< Use this: >
2383 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2384< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2385 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2386 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2387 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2388 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2389<
2390 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2391 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2392 to modify normal file names.
2393
2394 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2395 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2396 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2397 '/' added.
2398
2399 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2400 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2401 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2402 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002403 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2404 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2405 files in the current directory and below: >
2406 :echo expand("**/README")
2407<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002408 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2409 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2410 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2411 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2412 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2413 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2414 "$FOOBAR".
2415
2416 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2417 getting the raw output of an external command.
2418
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002419extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002420 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
2421 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002422
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002423 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002424 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2425 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2426 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2427 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002428 Examples: >
2429 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2430 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002431< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2432 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002433 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002434<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002435 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002436 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2437 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2438 used to decide what to do:
2439 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2440 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00002441 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002442 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2443
2444 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2445 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2446 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2447 Returns {expr1}.
2448
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002449
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002450filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2451 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2452 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2453 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2454 expression, which is used as a String.
2455 *file_readable()*
2456 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2457
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002458
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002459filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002460 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002461 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002462 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002463 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002464 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002465 Examples: >
2466 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2467< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2468 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2469< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2470 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002471< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002472
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002473 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2474 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2475 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2476
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002477 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2478 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002479 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002480
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002481< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002482 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2483 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002484
2485
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002486finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002487 Find directory {name} in {path}. Returns the path of the
2488 first found match. When the found directory is below the
2489 current directory a relative path is returned. Otherwise a
2490 full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002491 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2492 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002493 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00002494 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002495 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002496 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2497
2498findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2499 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002500 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
2501 Example: >
2502 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2503< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2504 the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002505
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002506filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2507 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2508 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2509 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2510 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2511
2512fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2513 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2514 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2515 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2516 Example: >
2517 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2518< results in: >
2519 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2520< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2521 |expand()| first then.
2522
2523foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2524 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2525 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2526 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2527
2528foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2529 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2530 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2531 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2532
2533foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2534 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2535 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2536 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2537 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2538 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2539 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2540 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2541 previous line is usually available.
2542
2543 *foldtext()*
2544foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2545 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2546 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2547 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2548 The returned string looks like this: >
2549 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2550< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2551 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2552 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2553 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2554 options is removed.
2555 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2556
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002557foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2558 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2559 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2560 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2561 returned.
2562 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2563 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2564 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2565 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2566
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002567 *foreground()*
2568foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2569 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2570 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2571 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2572 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2573 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2574 Win32 console version}
2575
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002576
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002577function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002578 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002579 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2580
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002581
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002582garbagecollect() *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002583 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002584 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2585 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2586 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2587 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2588 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002589 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
2590 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
2591 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002592
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002593get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002594 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002595 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2596 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002597get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002598 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002599 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2600 {default} is omitted.
2601
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002602 *getbufline()*
2603getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002604 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2605 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
2606 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002607
2608 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2609
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002610 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2611 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002612
2613 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002614 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002615
2616 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2617 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002618 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002619 returned.
2620
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002621 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002622 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002623
2624 Example: >
2625 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002626
2627getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2628 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2629 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2630 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002631 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2632 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2633 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002634 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2635 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2636 returned, there is no error message.
2637 Examples: >
2638 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2639 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2640<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002641getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2642 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2643 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2644 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2645 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2646 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2647 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2648 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2649 not consumed. If a normal character is
2650 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2651 non-zero value is returned.
2652 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2653 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2654 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2655 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2656 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2657 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2658 user that a character has to be typed.
2659 There is no mapping for the character.
2660 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2661 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2662 sequence. Examples: >
2663 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2664 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2665< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2666 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2667 :function FindChar()
2668 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2669 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2670 : normal l
2671 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2672 : break
2673 : endif
2674 : endwhile
2675 :endfunction
2676
2677getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2678 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2679 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2680 These values are added together:
2681 2 shift
2682 4 control
2683 8 alt (meta)
2684 16 mouse double click
2685 32 mouse triple click
2686 64 mouse quadruple click
2687 128 Macintosh only: command
2688 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2689 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2690 with no modifier.
2691
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002692getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2693 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2694 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2695 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2696 Example: >
2697 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002698< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002699
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002700getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002701 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2702 byte count. The first column is 1.
2703 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2704 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002705 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2706
2707getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
2708 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
2709 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00002710 : normal Ex command
2711 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
2712 / forward search command
2713 ? backward search command
2714 @ |input()| command
2715 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002716 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2717 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
2718 otherwise.
2719 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002720
2721 *getcwd()*
2722getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2723 working directory.
2724
2725getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2726 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2727 given file {fname}.
2728 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2729 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2730
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002731getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2732 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2733 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2734 |hl-Normal|.
2735 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2736 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2737 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2738 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00002739 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002740 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2741 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002742 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2743 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002744
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002745getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2746 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2747 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2748 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2749 empty string is returned.
2750 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2751 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2752 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2753 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2754 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2755 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2756< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2757 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002758
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002759getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2760 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2761 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2762 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2763 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2764 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2765
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002766getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2767 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2768 file of the given file {fname}.
2769 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2770 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2771 results:
2772 Normal file "file"
2773 Directory "dir"
2774 Symbolic link "link"
2775 Block device "bdev"
2776 Character device "cdev"
2777 Socket "socket"
2778 FIFO "fifo"
2779 All other "other"
2780 Example: >
2781 getftype("/home")
2782< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2783 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2784 "file" are returned.
2785
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002786 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002787getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2788 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2789 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002790 getline(1)
2791< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2792 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2793 To get the line under the cursor: >
2794 getline(".")
2795< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2796 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2797
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002798 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
2799 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002800 including line {end}.
2801 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2802 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002803 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002804 Example: >
2805 :let start = line('.')
2806 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2807 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2808
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00002809getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
2810 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
2811 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
2812 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002813 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
2814 returned. Otherwise, same as getqflist().
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002815
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002816getqflist() *getqflist()*
2817 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2818 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2819 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2820 bufname() to get the name
2821 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2822 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002823 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2824 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002825 nr error number
2826 text description of the error
2827 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2828 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2829
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002830 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
2831 returned.
2832
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002833 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2834 do something with them: >
2835 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2836 :for d in getqflist()
2837 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2838 :endfor
2839
2840
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002841getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002842 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002843 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002844 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2845< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002846 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002847 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2848 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2849 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002850 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2851
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002852
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002853getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2854 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2855 The value will be one of:
2856 "v" for |characterwise| text
2857 "V" for |linewise| text
2858 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2859 0 for an empty or unknown register
2860 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2861 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2862
2863 *getwinposx()*
2864getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2865 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2866 -1 if the information is not available.
2867
2868 *getwinposy()*
2869getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2870 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2871 information is not available.
2872
2873getwinvar({nr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2874 The result is the value of option or local window variable
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00002875 {varname} in window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current
2876 window is used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002877 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
2878 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
2879 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002880 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2881 Examples: >
2882 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2883 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2884<
2885 *glob()*
2886glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2887 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2888 characters.
2889 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2890 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2891
2892 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2893 any external command. Example: >
2894 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2895 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2896< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2897 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2898
2899 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2900 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2901
2902globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2903 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2904 the results. Example: >
2905 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2906< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2907 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2908 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2909 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2910 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2911 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2912 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2913 error message.
2914 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2915 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2916
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002917 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
2918 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
2919 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
2920 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
2921<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002922 *has()*
2923has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2924 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2925 string. See |feature-list| below.
2926 Also see |exists()|.
2927
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002928
2929has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002930 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
2931 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002932
2933
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00002934hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002935 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2936 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2937 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2938 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00002939 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002940 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
2941 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002942 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2943 buffer are checked for a match.
2944 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2945 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2946 n Normal mode
2947 v Visual mode
2948 o Operator-pending mode
2949 i Insert mode
2950 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2951 c Command-line mode
2952 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2953
2954 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2955 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2956 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2957 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2958 :endif
2959< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
2960 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
2961
2962histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
2963 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
2964 one of: *hist-names*
2965 "cmd" or ":" command line history
2966 "search" or "/" search pattern history
2967 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
2968 "input" or "@" input line history
2969 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
2970 shifted to become the newest entry.
2971 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
2972 otherwise 0 is returned.
2973
2974 Example: >
2975 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
2976 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
2977< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2978
2979histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002980 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002981 for the possible values of {history}.
2982
2983 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
2984 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
2985 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
2986 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
2987 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
2988 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
2989 if it exists.
2990
2991 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
2992 otherwise 0 is returned.
2993
2994 Examples:
2995 Clear expression register history: >
2996 :call histdel("expr")
2997<
2998 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
2999 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
3000<
3001 The following three are equivalent: >
3002 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
3003 :call histdel("search", -1)
3004 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
3005<
3006 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
3007 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
3008 :call histdel("search", -1)
3009 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
3010
3011histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
3012 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
3013 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
3014 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
3015 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
3016 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
3017
3018 Examples:
3019 Redo the second last search from history. >
3020 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
3021
3022< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
3023 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
3024 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
3025<
3026histnr({history}) *histnr()*
3027 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
3028 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
3029 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
3030
3031 Example: >
3032 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
3033<
3034hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
3035 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
3036 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
3037 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
3038 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
3039 item.
3040 *highlight_exists()*
3041 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
3042
3043 *hlID()*
3044hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
3045 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
3046 zero is returned.
3047 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
3048 group. For example, to get the background color of the
3049 "Comment" group: >
3050 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
3051< *highlightID()*
3052 Obsolete name: highlightID().
3053
3054hostname() *hostname()*
3055 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003056 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003057 256 characters long are truncated.
3058
3059iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
3060 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
3061 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
3062 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
3063 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
3064 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
3065 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
3066 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
3067 can be done.
3068 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
3069 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
3070 UTF-8 and use: >
3071 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
3072< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
3073 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
3074 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
3075 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
3076
3077 *indent()*
3078indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
3079 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
3080 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
3081 |getline()|.
3082 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
3083
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003084
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003085index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003086 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003087 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003088 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
3089 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003090 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
3091 case must match.
3092 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
3093 Example: >
3094 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003095 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003096
3097
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003098input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003099 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
3100 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
3101 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003102 prompt to start a new line.
3103 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3104 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
3105 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
3106 for lines typed for input().
3107 Example: >
3108 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3109 : echo "Cheers!"
3110 :endif
3111<
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003112 If the optional {text} is present and not empty, this is used
3113 for the default reply, as if the user typed this. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003114 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3115
3116< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3117 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
3118 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
3119 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
3120 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
3121 more information. Example: >
3122 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3123<
3124 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3125 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003126 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3127 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3128 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3129 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3130 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3131 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3132 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3133
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003134 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003135 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3136 :function GetFoo()
3137 : call inputsave()
3138 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3139 : call inputrestore()
3140 :endfunction
3141
3142inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
3143 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
3144 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
3145 Example: >
3146 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3147 :if n != ""
3148 : let &sw = n
3149 :endif
3150< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3151 omitted an empty string is returned.
3152 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3153 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003154 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003155
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003156inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003157 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
3158 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
3159 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003160 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
3161 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
3162 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3163 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3164 is returned.
3165 Make sure {textlist} has less then 'lines' entries, otherwise
3166 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
3167 the start of the string. Example: >
3168 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3169 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3170
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003171inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
3172 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
3173 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3174 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3175 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3176
3177inputsave() *inputsave()*
3178 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3179 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3180 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3181 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3182 many inputrestore() calls.
3183 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3184
3185inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3186 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3187 two exceptions:
3188 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3189 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3190 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3191 |history| stack.
3192 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3193 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003194 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003195
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003196insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003197 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003198 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
3199 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
3200 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3201 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003202 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003203 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3204 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3205 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003206< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003207 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003208 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003209
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003210isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3211 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3212 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3213 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3214 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3215
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003216islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003217 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3218 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003219 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3220 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003221 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3222 :lockvar 1 alist
3223 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3224 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3225
3226< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
3227 message. Use |exists()| to check for existance.
3228
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003229items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003230 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3231 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3232 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3233 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003234
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003235
3236join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3237 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3238 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3239 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3240 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3241 add it there too: >
3242 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003243< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003244 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3245 The opposite function is |split()|.
3246
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003247keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003248 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003249 arbitrary order.
3250
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003251 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003252len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3253 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3254 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003255 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003256 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003257 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3258 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003259 Otherwise an error is given.
3260
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003261 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3262libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3263 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3264 with single argument {argument}.
3265 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3266 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3267 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3268 limited.
3269 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3270 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3271 to Vim.
3272 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3273 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3274 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3275 null-terminated string.
3276 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3277
3278 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3279 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3280 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3281 very probably crash.
3282
3283 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3284 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3285 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3286 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3287 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3288 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3289 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3290 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3291 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3292 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3293
3294 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
3295 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
3296 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3297 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3298 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3299 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3300 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3301 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3302 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3303 feature is present}
3304 Examples: >
3305 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
3306 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
3307<
3308 *libcallnr()*
3309libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3310 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3311 int instead of a string.
3312 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3313 feature is present}
3314 Example (not very useful...): >
3315 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3316 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3317<
3318 *line()*
3319line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3320 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3321 . the cursor position
3322 $ the last line in the current buffer
3323 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3324 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003325 w0 first line visible in current window
3326 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003327 Note that a mark in another file can be used.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003328 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
3329 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003330 Examples: >
3331 line(".") line number of the cursor
3332 line("'t") line number of mark t
3333 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3334< *last-position-jump*
3335 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3336 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3337 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003338
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003339line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3340 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3341 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3342 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3343 line returns 1.
3344 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3345 below the last line: >
3346 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3347< This is the file size plus one.
3348 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3349 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3350 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3351
3352lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3353 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3354 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3355 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3356 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3357 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3358 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3359
3360localtime() *localtime()*
3361 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3362 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3363
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003364
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003365map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003366 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003367 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3368 {string}.
3369 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003370 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003371 Example: >
3372 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003373< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003374
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003375 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003376 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003377 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3378 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003379
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003380 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3381 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003382 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003383
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003384< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003385 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3386 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003387
3388
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003389maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *maparg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003390 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3391 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003392 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003393 "n" Normal
3394 "v" Visual
3395 "o" Operator-pending
3396 "i" Insert
3397 "c" Cmd-line
3398 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3399 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003400 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003401 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3402 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003403 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3404 command. The returned String has special characters
3405 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3406 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3407 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00003408 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
3409 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
3410 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
3411
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003412
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003413mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003414 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3415 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3416 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003417 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3418 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003419 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3420 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3421
3422 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3423 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3424 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3425 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3426 mapcheck("b") no no no
3427
3428 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3429 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3430 mapping for {name} exactly.
3431 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3432 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3433 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3434 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3435 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3436 then the global mappings.
3437 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3438 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3439 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3440 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3441 :endif
3442< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3443 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3444
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003445match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003446 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
3447 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003448 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003449 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3450 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3451 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003452 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003453 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3454 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003455 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003456 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003457< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003458 *strpbrk()*
3459 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3460 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3461< *strcasestr()*
3462 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3463 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3464 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3465<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003466 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003467 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003468 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003469 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003470 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3471< result is again "4". >
3472 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3473< result is again "4". >
3474 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3475< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003476 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003477 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
3478 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
3479 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
3480 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003481 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3482 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003483 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
3484 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003485
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003486 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003487 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003488 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
3489 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
3490< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003491 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
3492 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003493
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003494 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3495 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3496 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3497 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3498
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003499
3500matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
3501 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
3502 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
3503 Return a |List| with two elements:
3504 The name of the highlight group used
3505 The pattern used.
3506 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
3507 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
3508 This is usef to save and restore a |:match|.
3509
3510
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003511matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003512 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3513 the match. Example: >
3514 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3515< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003516 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3517 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3518 do it with matchend(): >
3519 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3520 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3521< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3522
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003523 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3524 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3525< results in "7". >
3526 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3527< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003528 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003529
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003530matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003531 Same as match(), but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003532 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3533 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
3534 in |:substitute|.
3535 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3536
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003537matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003538 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3539 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3540< results in "ing".
3541 When there is no match "" is returned.
3542 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3543 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3544< results in "ing". >
3545 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3546< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003547 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003548 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003549
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003550 *max()*
3551max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3552 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3553 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003554 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003555
3556 *min()*
3557min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3558 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3559 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003560 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003561
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003562 *mkdir()* *E749*
3563mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3564 Create directory {name}.
3565 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3566 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3567 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3568 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3569 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3570 for others.
3571 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3572 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3573 :if exists("*mkdir")
3574<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003575 *mode()*
3576mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3577 n Normal
3578 v Visual by character
3579 V Visual by line
3580 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3581 s Select by character
3582 S Select by line
3583 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3584 i Insert
3585 R Replace
3586 c Command-line
3587 r Hit-enter prompt
3588 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3589 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3590
3591nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3592 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3593 that is not blank. Example: >
3594 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3595< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3596 below it, zero is returned.
3597 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3598
3599nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3600 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3601 value {expr}. Examples: >
3602 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3603 nr2char(32) returns " "
3604< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3605 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3606< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3607 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3608 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003609 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003610
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003611 *getpos()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003612getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
3613 see |line()|.
3614 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
3615 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
3616 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
3617 is the buffer number of the mark.
3618 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
3619 column is 1.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003620 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
3621 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
3622 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
3623 character.
3624 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
3625 let save_cursor = getpos(".")
3626 MoveTheCursorAround
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00003627 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003628< Also see |setpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003629
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003630pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
3631 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
3632 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
3633 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
3634 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
3635 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
3636< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
3637 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
3638
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003639prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3640 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3641 that is not blank. Example: >
3642 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3643< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3644 above it, zero is returned.
3645 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3646
3647
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003648printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
3649 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
3650 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003651 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003652< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003653 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003654
3655 Often used items are:
3656 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003657 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
3658 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003659 %c single byte
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003660 %d decimal number
3661 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
3662 %x hex number
3663 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
3664 %X hex number using upper case letters
3665 %o octal number
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003666 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003667
3668 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
3669 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
3670 the result.
3671
3672 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003673 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003674
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003675 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003676
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003677 flags
3678 Zero or more of the following flags:
3679
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003680 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
3681 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
3682 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
3683 of the number is increased to force the first
3684 character of the output string to a zero (except
3685 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
3686 precision of zero).
3687 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
3688 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
3689 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003690
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003691 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
3692 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
3693 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
3694 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
3695 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003696
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003697 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
3698 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
3699 The converted value is padded on the right with
3700 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
3701 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003702
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003703 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
3704 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003705
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003706 + A sign must always be placed before a number
3707 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
3708 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003709
3710 field-width
3711 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003712 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
3713 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
3714 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
3715 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003716
3717 .precision
3718 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
3719 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
3720 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
3721 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
3722 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003723 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003724
3725 type
3726 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
3727 be applied, see below.
3728
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003729 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
3730 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
3731 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
3732 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
3733 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
3734 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003735 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003736< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003737 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003738
3739 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003740
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003741 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
3742 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
3743 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
3744 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003745 conversions.
3746 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
3747 digits that must appear; if the converted value
3748 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
3749 zeros.
3750 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
3751 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
3752 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
3753 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
3754
3755 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
3756 resulting character is written.
3757
3758 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
3759 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
3760 specified are used.
3761
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003762 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
3763 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003764
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003765 Each argument can be Number or String and is converted
3766 automatically to fit the conversion specifier. Any other
3767 argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003768
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00003769 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003770 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
3771 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003772 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003773
3774
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003775pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
3776 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
3777 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00003778 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
3779 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003780
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003781 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003782range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003783 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003784 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3785 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3786 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3787 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3788 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003789 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
3790 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
3791 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003792 Examples: >
3793 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
3794 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3795 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
3796 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003797 range(0) " []
3798 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003799<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003800 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003801readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003802 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
3803 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003804 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3805 NL appears somewhere).
3806 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3807 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3808 added.
3809 - No CR characters are removed.
3810 Otherwise:
3811 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3812 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3813 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003814 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
3815 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
3816 lines of a file: >
3817 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
3818 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
3819 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003820< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
3821 are returned, or as many as there are.
3822 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003823 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
3824 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
3825 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003826 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3827 the result is an empty list.
3828 Also see |writefile()|.
3829
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00003830reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
3831 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
3832 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
3833 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
3834 Without an argument it returns the current time.
3835 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
3836 specified in the argument.
3837 With two arguments it returns the time passed betweein {start}
3838 and {end}.
3839 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
3840 reltime().
3841 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
3842
3843reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
3844 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
3845 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
3846 microseconds. Example: >
3847 let start = reltime()
3848 call MyFunction()
3849 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
3850< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
3851 The accuracy depends on the system.
3852 Also see |profiling|.
3853 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
3854
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003855 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3856remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3857 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3858 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003859 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
3860 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
3861 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003862 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3863 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3864 remote_read() is stored there.
3865 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3866 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3867 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3868 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3869 and the result will be the empty string.
3870 Examples: >
3871 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3872 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3873<
3874
3875remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3876 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3877 This works like: >
3878 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3879< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3880 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3881 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00003882 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
3883 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003884 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3885 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3886 Win32 console version}
3887
3888
3889remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3890 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3891 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3892 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3893 name of a variable.
3894 Returns zero if none are available.
3895 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3896 See also |clientserver|.
3897 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3898 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3899 Examples: >
3900 :let repl = ""
3901 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3902
3903remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3904 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3905 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3906 See also |clientserver|.
3907 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3908 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3909 Example: >
3910 :echo remote_read(id)
3911<
3912 *remote_send()* *E241*
3913remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003914 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3915 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3916 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003917 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
3918 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
3919 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003920 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3921 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3922 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3923 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3924 up the display.
3925 Examples: >
3926 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3927 \ remote_read(serverid)
3928
3929 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3930 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3931 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3932 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003933<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003934remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003935 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003936 return it.
3937 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3938 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3939 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3940 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3941 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003942 Example: >
3943 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003944 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003945remove({dict}, {key})
3946 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3947 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3948< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3949
3950 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003951
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003952rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3953 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3954 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3955 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3956 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
3957 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3958
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003959repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
3960 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
3961 result. Example: >
3962 :let seperator = repeat('-', 80)
3963< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003964 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003965 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003966 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
3967< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003968
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003969
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003970resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
3971 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
3972 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
3973 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
3974 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
3975 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
3976 stopped after 100 iterations.
3977 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
3978 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
3979 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
3980 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
3981 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
3982
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003983 *reverse()*
3984reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
3985 {list}.
3986 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3987 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
3988
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003989search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003990 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003991 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003992
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003993 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
3994 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00003995 'c' accept a match at the cursor position
3996 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003997 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00003998 'p' return number of matching sub-pattern (see below)
3999 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004000 'w' wrap around the end of the file
4001 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
4002 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
4003
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00004004 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
4005 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
4006 flag.
4007
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004008 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
4009 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
4010 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
4011 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
4012 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
4013< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
4014 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
4015
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004016 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
4017 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004018 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
4019 *search()-sub-match*
4020 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
4021 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
4022 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004023 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004024
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004025 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
4026 flag is used.
4027
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004028 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
4029 :let n = 1
4030 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
4031 : exe "argument " . n
4032 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
4033 : " first search to find match at start of file
4034 : normal G$
4035 : let flags = "w"
4036 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
4037 : s/foo/bar/g
4038 : let flags = "W"
4039 : endwhile
4040 : update " write the file if modified
4041 : let n = n + 1
4042 :endwhile
4043<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004044 Example for using some flags: >
4045 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
4046< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
4047 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
4048 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
4049 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
4050 line:
4051 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
4052 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
4053 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
4054 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
4055 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
4056
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004057
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004058searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
4059 Search for the declaration of {name}.
4060
4061 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
4062 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
4063 first match in the function.
4064
4065 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
4066 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
4067 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
4068
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004069 Moves the cursor to the found match.
4070 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4071 Example: >
4072 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
4073 echo getline('.')
4074 endif
4075<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004076 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004077searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004078 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
4079 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
4080 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004081 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
4082 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
4083 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
4084 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
4085 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
4086 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004087
4088 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
4089 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
4090 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
4091 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
4092 typical use is: >
4093 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
4094< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
4095
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004096 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
4097 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004098 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
4099 outer pair
4100 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004101 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004102
4103 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
4104 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
4105 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
4106 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
4107 or a string.
4108 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
4109 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
4110 and -1 returned.
4111
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004112 For {stopline} see |search()|.
4113
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004114 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
4115 patterns are used like it's on.
4116
4117 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
4118 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
4119 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
4120 if 1
4121 if 2
4122 endif 2
4123 endif 1
4124< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
4125 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
4126 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
4127 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
4128 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
4129 "endif 2".
4130 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
4131 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
4132 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
4133 the matching start.
4134
4135 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
4136
4137 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
4138 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
4139
4140< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
4141 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
4142 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
4143 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
4144 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
4145 match.
4146 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
4147
4148 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
4149
4150< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
4151 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
4152 highlighting recognized as strings: >
4153
4154 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
4155 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
4156<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004157 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004158searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004159 Same as searchpair(), but returns a |List| with the line and
4160 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4161 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004162 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4163 returns [0, 0].
4164>
4165 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
4166<
4167 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
4168
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004169searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *searchpos()*
4170 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004171 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4172 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
4173 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4174 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004175 Example: >
4176 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
4177
4178< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
4179 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
4180 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
4181< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
4182 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
4183
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004184server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
4185 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
4186 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
4187 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4188 Note:
4189 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004190 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004191 before calling any commands that waits for input.
4192 See also |clientserver|.
4193 Example: >
4194 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
4195<
4196serverlist() *serverlist()*
4197 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
4198 When there are no servers or the information is not available
4199 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
4200 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4201 Example: >
4202 :echo serverlist()
4203<
4204setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
4205 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
4206 {val}.
4207 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
4208 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
4209 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
4210 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
4211 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
4212 Examples: >
4213 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
4214 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
4215< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4216
4217setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
4218 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
4219 {pos}. The first position is 1.
4220 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
4221 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004222 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
4223 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
4224 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
4225 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
4226 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004227 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
4228 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
4229 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
4230 line.
4231
4232setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004233 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
4234 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004235 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
4236 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004237 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
4238 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004239 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004240< When {line} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004241 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
4242 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
4243< This is equivalent to: >
4244 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
4245 : call setline(n, l)
4246 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004247< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
4248
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004249setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
4250 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
4251 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004252 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
4253 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004254 Otherwise, same as setqflist().
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004255
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004256 *setpos()*
4257setpos({expr}, {list})
4258 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
4259 . the cursor
4260 'x mark x
4261
4262 {list} must be a |List| with four numbers:
4263 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4264
4265 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
4266 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
4267 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
4268 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
4269 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004270 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004271
4272 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4273 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark.
4274
4275 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
4276 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
4277 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
4278 character.
4279
4280 Also see |getpos()|
4281
4282
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004283setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004284 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
4285 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
4286 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
4287 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004288
4289 filename name of a file
4290 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004291 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004292 col column number
4293 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
4294 when zero: "col" is byte index
4295 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004296 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004297 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004298
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004299 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
4300 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
4301 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004302 If the "filename" entry is not present or neither the "lnum"
4303 or "pattern" entries are present, then the item will not be
4304 handled as an error line.
4305 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
4306 be used.
4307
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004308 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
4309 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
4310 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
4311 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
4312 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
4313 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
4314
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004315 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
4316
4317 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
4318 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
4319 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
4320
4321
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004322 *setreg()*
4323setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
4324 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
4325 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
4326 then the value is appended.
4327 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
4328 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
4329 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
4330 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
4331 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
4332 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
4333 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
4334 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
4335
4336 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
4337 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
4338 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
4339 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4340
4341 Examples: >
4342 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
4343 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
4344 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
4345
4346< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
4347 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004348 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004349 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
4350 ....
4351 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
4352
4353< You can also change the type of a register by appending
4354 nothing: >
4355 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
4356
4357setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
4358 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004359 {val}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004360 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
4361 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
4362 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
4363 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
4364 Examples: >
4365 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
4366 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
4367< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4368
4369simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
4370 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
4371 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
4372 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
4373 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
4374 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
4375 not removed either.
4376 Example: >
4377 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
4378< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
4379 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
4380 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
4381 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
4382 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
4383
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004384
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004385sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004386 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
4387 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4388 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
4389< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004390 Numbers sort after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004391 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004392 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004393 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
4394 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004395 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
4396 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
4397 sorts before the second one. Example: >
4398 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
4399 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
4400 endfunc
4401 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004402<
4403
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004404 *soundfold()*
4405soundfold({word})
4406 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
4407 language in 'spellang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004408 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
4409 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004410 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
4411 the method can be quite slow.
4412
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004413 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004414spellbadword([{sentence}])
4415 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
4416 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
4417 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
4418 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
4419
4420 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
4421 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
4422 result is an empty string.
4423
4424 The return value is a list with two items:
4425 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
4426 - The type of the spelling error:
4427 "bad" spelling mistake
4428 "rare" rare word
4429 "local" word only valid in another region
4430 "caps" word should start with Capital
4431 Example: >
4432 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
4433< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
4434
4435 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
4436 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
4437 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004438
4439 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004440spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004441 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004442 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
4443 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
4444
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004445 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
4446 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
4447 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
4448
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004449 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
4450 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00004451 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
4452 replace a line.
4453
4454 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004455 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
4456 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004457
4458 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004459 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
4460 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004461
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004462
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004463split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004464 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
4465 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
4466 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004467 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004468 removing the matched characters.
4469 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
4470 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00004471 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
4472 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004473 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004474 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004475< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004476 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00004477< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
4478 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
4479< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004480 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
4481 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
4482< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004483
4484
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004485str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
4486 Convert string {expr} to a number.
4487 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 8, 10 or 16.
4488 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
4489 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
4490 with the default String to Number conversion.
4491 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
4492 different base the result will be zero.
4493 Text after the number is silently ignored.
4494
4495
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004496strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
4497 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
4498 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
4499 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
4500 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
4501 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
4502 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
4503 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
4504 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
4505 Examples: >
4506 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
4507 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
4508 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
4509 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
4510 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
4511 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004512< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4513 :if exists("*strftime")
4514
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004515stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
4516 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4517 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004518 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
4519 This can be used to find a second match: >
4520 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
4521 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
4522< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004523 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004524 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004525 See also |strridx()|.
4526 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004527 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
4528 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
4529 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004530< *strstr()* *strchr()*
4531 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
4532 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
4533
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004534 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004535string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
4536 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
4537 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004538 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004539 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004540 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004541 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004542 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004543 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004544 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004545
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004546 *strlen()*
4547strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004548 {expr} in bytes.
4549 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
4550 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004551
4552 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004553<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004554 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
4555 For other types an error is given.
4556 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004557
4558strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
4559 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004560 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004561 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
4562 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
4563 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
4564 end of the {src}. >
4565 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
4566 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
4567 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
4568 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
4569< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
4570 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00004571 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004572<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004573strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
4574 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4575 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
4576 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
4577 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
4578 match: >
4579 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
4580 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
4581< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004582 For pattern searches use |match()|.
4583 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004584 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004585 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004586 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004587< *strrchr()*
4588 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
4589 function strrchr().
4590
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004591strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
4592 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
4593 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
4594 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
4595 echo strtrans(@a)
4596< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
4597 starting a new line.
4598
4599submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
4600 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
4601 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
4602 the whole matched text is returned.
4603 Example: >
4604 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
4605< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
4606 A line break is included as a newline character.
4607
4608substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
4609 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
4610 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
4611 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
4612 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
4613 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
4614 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
4615 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
4616 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
4617 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
4618 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
4619 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
4620 unmodified.
4621 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
4622 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
4623 Example: >
4624 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
4625< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
4626 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
4627< results in "TESTING".
4628
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004629synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004630 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004631 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004632 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
4633 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004634
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004635 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004636 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
4637
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004638 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
4639 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
4640 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
4641 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
4642 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
4643 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
4644 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
4645
4646 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
4647 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
4648<
4649synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
4650 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
4651 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
4652 about a syntax item.
4653 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
4654 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
4655 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
4656 used (GUI, cterm or term).
4657 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
4658 {what} result
4659 "name" the name of the syntax item
4660 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
4661 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
4662 term: empty string)
4663 "bg" background color (like "fg")
4664 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
4665 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
4666 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
4667 "bold" "1" if bold
4668 "italic" "1" if italic
4669 "reverse" "1" if reverse
4670 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
4671 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004672 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004673
4674 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
4675 cursor): >
4676 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
4677<
4678synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
4679 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
4680 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
4681 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
4682 ":highlight link" are followed.
4683
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004684system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
4685 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
4686 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
4687 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
4688 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004689 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004690 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
4691 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
4692 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004693 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
4694 The result is a String. Example: >
4695
4696 :let files = system("ls")
4697
4698< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
4699 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
4700 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
4701 The command executed is constructed using several options:
4702 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
4703 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
4704 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
4705 concatenated commands.
4706
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004707 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
4708 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
4709
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004710 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
4711 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00004712
4713 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
4714 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
4715 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004716 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
4717 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
4718
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004719
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004720tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004721 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004722 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
4723 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
4724 omitted the current tab page is used.
4725 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
4726 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
4727 tablist = []
4728 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
4729 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
4730 endfor
4731< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
4732
4733
4734tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004735 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4736 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
4737 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
4738 page is returned (the tab page count).
4739 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
4740
4741
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004742tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
4743 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {arg}.
4744 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
4745 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
4746 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
4747 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
4748 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
4749 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
4750 Useful examples: >
4751 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
4752 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
4753< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
4754
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00004755 *tagfiles()*
4756tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
4757 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
4758
4759
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004760taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
4761 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00004762 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
4763 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004764 name Name of the tag.
4765 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004766 defined.
4767 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
4768 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004769 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004770 entry depends on the language specific
4771 kind values generated by the ctags
4772 tool.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004773 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004774 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004775 The "kind" entry is only available when using Exuberant ctags
4776 generated tags file. More entries may be present, depending
4777 on the content of the tags file: access, implementation,
4778 inherits and signature. Refer to the ctags documentation for
4779 information about these fields. For C code the fields
4780 "struct", "class" and "enum" may appear, they give the name of
4781 the entity the tag is contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004782
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004783 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
4784 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004785
4786 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
4787
4788 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
4789 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
4790 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
4791
4792 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
4793 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
4794 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
4795
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004796tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
4797 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
4798 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
4799 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
4800 :let tmpfile = tempname()
4801 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
4802< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
4803 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
4804 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
4805 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
4806 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
4807 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
4808
4809tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
4810 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
4811 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
4812 the string).
4813
4814toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
4815 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
4816 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
4817 the string).
4818
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00004819tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
4820 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
4821 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
4822 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
4823 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
4824 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
4825 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
4826
4827 Examples: >
4828 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
4829< returns "Hello THere" >
4830 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
4831< returns "{blob}"
4832
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004833 *type()*
4834type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004835 Number: 0
4836 String: 1
4837 Funcref: 2
4838 List: 3
4839 Dictionary: 4
4840 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004841 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
4842 :if type(myvar) == type("")
4843 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
4844 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004845 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004846
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004847values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004848 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
4849 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004850
4851
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004852virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
4853 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
4854 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
4855 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
4856 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
4857 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
4858 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
4859 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004860 For the use of {expr} see |col()|. Additionally you can use
Bram Moolenaar5c8837f2006-02-25 21:52:33 +00004861 [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line and column number. When
4862 "lnum" or "col" is out of range then virtcol() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004863 When 'virtualedit' is used it can be [lnum, col, off], where
4864 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
4865 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
4866 character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004867 For the byte position use |col()|.
4868 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
4869 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
4870 The accepted positions are:
4871 . the cursor position
4872 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
4873 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
4874 plus one)
4875 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
4876 returned)
4877 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
4878 Examples: >
4879 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
4880 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
4881 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
4882< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
4883
4884visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
4885 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
4886 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
4887 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
4888 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
4889 block-wise Visual mode respectively.
4890 Example: >
4891 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
4892< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
4893 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
4894 Visual mode that was used.
4895
4896 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
4897 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
4898 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
4899 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
4900
4901 *winbufnr()*
4902winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004903 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004904 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
4905 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4906 Example: >
4907 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
4908<
4909 *wincol()*
4910wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
4911 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
4912 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
4913
4914winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
4915 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
4916 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
4917 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4918 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
4919 Examples: >
4920 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
4921<
4922 *winline()*
4923winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
4924 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
4925 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004926 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
4927 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004928
4929 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004930winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4931 window. The top window has number 1.
4932 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004933 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004934 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
4935 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
4936 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
4937 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
4938 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004939
4940 *winrestcmd()*
4941winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
4942 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004943 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
4944 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004945 Example: >
4946 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
4947 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
4948 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004949<
4950 *winrestview()*
4951winrestview({dict})
4952 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
4953 the view of the current window.
4954 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
4955 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
4956
4957 *winsaveview()*
4958winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
4959 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
4960 restore the view.
4961 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
4962 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
4963 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004964 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
4965 not opened when moving around.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004966 The return value includes:
4967 lnum cursor line number
4968 col cursor column
4969 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
4970 curswant column for vertical movement
4971 topline first line in the window
4972 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
4973 leftcol first column displayed
4974 skipcol columns skipped
4975 Note that no option values are saved.
4976
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004977
4978winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
4979 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
4980 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
4981 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4982 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
4983 Examples: >
4984 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
4985 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
4986 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
4987 :endif
4988<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004989 *writefile()*
4990writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004991 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004992 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
4993 Number.
4994 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
4995 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
4996 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
4997 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
4998 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
4999 to writefile().
5000 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
5001 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
5002 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
5003 fails.
5004 Also see |readfile()|.
5005 To copy a file byte for byte: >
5006 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
5007 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
5008<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005009
5010 *feature-list*
5011There are three types of features:
50121. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
5013 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
5014 :if has("cindent")
50152. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
5016 Example: >
5017 :if has("gui_running")
5018< *has-patch*
50193. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
5020 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
5021 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
5022 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
5023
5024all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
5025amiga Amiga version of Vim.
5026arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
5027arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00005028autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005029balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00005030balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005031beos BeOS version of Vim.
5032browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
5033 work.
5034builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
5035byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
5036cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
5037clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
5038clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
5039cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
5040cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
5041cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
5042comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
5043cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
5044cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
5045compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
5046debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
5047dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
5048dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
5049diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
5050digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
5051dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
5052dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
5053dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
5054ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
5055emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
5056eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
5057 true, of course!
5058ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
5059extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
5060 |'hlsearch'|
5061farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
5062file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005063filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
5064 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005065find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
5066 |+find_in_path|.
5067fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
5068 Windows this is not present).
5069folding Compiled with |folding| support.
5070footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
5071fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
5072gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
5073gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
5074gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005075gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
5076gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
5077gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
5078gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
5079gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
5080gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
5081gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
5082gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
5083hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
5084iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
5085insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
5086 Insert mode.
5087jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
5088keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
5089langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
5090libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
5091linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
5092 support.
5093lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
5094listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
5095 and the argument list |arglist|.
5096localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
5097mac Macintosh version of Vim.
5098macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
5099menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
5100mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
5101modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
5102mouse Compiled with support mouse.
5103mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
5104mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
5105mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
5106mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
5107mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
5108mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
5109multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
5110multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
5111multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00005112mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005113netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00005114netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005115ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
5116os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
5117osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
5118path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
5119perl Compiled with Perl interface.
5120postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
5121printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005122profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005123python Compiled with Python interface.
5124qnx QNX version of Vim.
5125quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
5126rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
5127ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
5128scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
5129showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
5130signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
5131smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00005132sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005133statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
5134 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
5135sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00005136spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
5137syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005138syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
5139 current buffer.
5140system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
5141tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
5142 |tag-binary-search|.
5143tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
5144 |tag-old-static|.
5145tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
5146 files |tag-any-white|.
5147tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
5148terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
5149termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
5150textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
5151tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
5152 or terminfo file.
5153title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
5154toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
5155unix Unix version of Vim.
5156user_commands User-defined commands.
5157viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
5158vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
5159vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
5160virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
5161visual Compiled with Visual mode.
5162visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
5163 |blockwise-operators|.
5164vms VMS version of Vim.
5165vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
5166wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
5167wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
5168windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
5169winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
5170win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
5171win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
5172win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
5173win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
5174win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
5175writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
5176xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
5177xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
5178xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
5179xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
5180xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
5181xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
5182 xterm screen.
5183x11 Compiled with X11 support.
5184
5185 *string-match*
5186Matching a pattern in a String
5187
5188A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
5189the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
5190everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
5191like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
5192line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
5193with ".". Example: >
5194 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
5195 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
5196 aa
5197 xx
5198 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
5199 a
5200 x
5201
5202Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
5203"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
5204"\n".
5205
5206==============================================================================
52075. Defining functions *user-functions*
5208
5209New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
5210functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
5211commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
5212
5213The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
5214builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
5215avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
5216the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
5217
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005218It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
5219|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005220
5221 *local-function*
5222A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
5223can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
5224and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
5225function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
5226instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
5227
5228 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
5229:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
5230
5231:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005232 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5233 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005234 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005235
5236:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
5237 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
5238 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005239<
5240 *:function-verbose*
5241When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
5242last defined. Example: >
5243
5244 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
5245 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
5246 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
5247<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00005248See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005249
5250 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005251:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005252 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
5253 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
5254 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005255
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005256 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5257 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005258 :function dict.init(arg)
5259< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
5260 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
5261 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
5262 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
5263 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
5264 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005265 *E127* *E122*
5266 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
5267 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
5268 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
5269 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005270
5271 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
5272
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005273 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
5274 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
5275 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
5276 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
5277 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
5278 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
5279 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005280
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005281 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
5282 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005283
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005284 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005285 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005286 local variable "self" will then be set to the
5287 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005288
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00005289 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
5290 will not be changed by the function.
5291
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005292 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
5293:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
5294 by its own, without other commands.
5295
5296 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
5297:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005298 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5299 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005300 :delfunc dict.init
5301< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
5302 function is deleted if there are no more references to
5303 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005304 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
5305:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
5306 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
5307 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
5308 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
5309 the number 0 is returned.
5310 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
5311 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
5312
5313 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
5314 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
5315 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
5316 are executed first. This process applies to all
5317 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
5318 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
5319
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005320 *function-argument* *a:var*
5321An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
5322be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
5323 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
5324Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
5325arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
5326may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
5327as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005328can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
5329that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005330 *E742*
5331The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005332However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can changes their contents.
5333Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
5334it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
5335|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005336
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005337When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
5338to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
5339may be larger.
5340
5341It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
5342still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
5343until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
5344inside a function body.
5345
5346 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005347Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
5348will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
5349accessed with "g:".
5350
5351Example: >
5352 :function Table(title, ...)
5353 : echohl Title
5354 : echo a:title
5355 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005356 : echo a:0 . " items:"
5357 : for s in a:000
5358 : echon ' ' . s
5359 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005360 :endfunction
5361
5362This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005363 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
5364 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005365
5366To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
5367 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
5368 : if a:n2 == 0
5369 : return "fail"
5370 : endif
5371 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
5372 : return "ok"
5373 :endfunction
5374
5375This function can then be called with: >
5376 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
5377 :if success == "ok"
5378 : echo div
5379 :endif
5380
5381An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
5382with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
5383 :function Foo()
5384 : execute Bar()
5385 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
5386 :endfunction
5387
5388 :function Bar()
5389 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
5390 :endfunction
5391
5392The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
5393the caller to set the names.
5394
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00005395 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005396:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
5397 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
5398 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
5399 used.
5400 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
5401 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
5402 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
5403 function.
5404 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
5405 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
5406 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
5407 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
5408 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
5409 this works:
5410 *function-range-example* >
5411 :function Mynumber(arg)
5412 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
5413 :endfunction
5414 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
5415<
5416 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
5417 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
5418 the range.
5419
5420 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
5421
5422 :function Cont() range
5423 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
5424 :endfunction
5425 :4,8call Cont()
5426<
5427 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
5428 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
5429
5430 *E132*
5431The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
5432option.
5433
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005434
5435AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005436 *autoload-functions*
5437When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005438only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
5439the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
5440
5441
5442Using an autocommand ~
5443
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005444This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
5445
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005446The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
5447You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
5448That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
5449again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
5450
5451Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
5452function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005453
5454 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
5455
5456The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
5457"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
5458
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005459
5460Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005461 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005462This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
5463
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005464Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
5465exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
5466like this: >
5467
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005468 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005469
5470When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
5471"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
5472"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
5473then define the function like this: >
5474
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005475 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005476 echo "Done!"
5477 endfunction
5478
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00005479The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005480exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
5481called.
5482
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005483It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
5484a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005485
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005486 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005487
5488Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
5489
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005490This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
5491
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005492 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005493
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00005494However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
5495for an unknown variable.
5496
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005497When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
5498be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
5499
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005500 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
5501 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005502
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00005503Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
5504defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
5505function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005506And you will get an error message every time.
5507
5508Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
5509other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
5510Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005511
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005512Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
5513|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
5514
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005515==============================================================================
55166. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
5517
5518Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
5519This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
5520{} like this: >
5521 my_{adjective}_variable
5522
5523When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
5524that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
5525name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
5526"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
5527"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
5528
5529One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
5530value. For example, the statement >
5531 echo my_{&background}_message
5532
5533would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
5534on the current value of 'background'.
5535
5536You can use multiple brace pairs: >
5537 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
5538..or even nest them: >
5539 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
5540where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
5541
5542However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005543variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005544 :let foo='a + b'
5545 :echo c{foo}d
5546.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
5547
5548 *curly-braces-function-names*
5549You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
5550Example: >
5551 :let func_end='whizz'
5552 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
5553
5554This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
5555
5556==============================================================================
55577. Commands *expression-commands*
5558
5559:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
5560 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
5561 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
5562 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
5563 is created.
5564
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005565:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
5566 Set a list item to the result of the expression
5567 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
5568 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
5569 the index can be repeated.
5570 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
5571
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005572 *E711* *E719*
5573:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005574 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
5575 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005576 correct number of items.
5577 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
5578 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
5579 When the selected range of items is partly past the
5580 end of the list, items will be added.
5581
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005582 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005583:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
5584:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
5585:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
5586 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
5587 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
5588
5589
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005590:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
5591 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
5592 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005593:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
5594 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
5595 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
5596 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005597
5598:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
5599 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
5600 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
5601 must be the name of a writable register (see
5602 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
5603 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
5604 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
5605 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
5606 characterwise.
5607 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
5608 :let @/ = ""
5609< This is different from searching for an empty string,
5610 that would match everywhere.
5611
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005612:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
5613 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
5614 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
5615
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005616:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
5617 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005618 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
5619 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005620 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
5621 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00005622 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005623 Example: >
5624 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005625
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005626:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
5627 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
5628 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
5629
5630:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
5631:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
5632 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
5633 {expr1}.
5634
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005635:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005636:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5637:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
5638:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005639 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
5640 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
5641
5642:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005643:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5644:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
5645:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005646 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
5647 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
5648
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005649:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005650 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005651 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
5652 {name2}, etc.
5653 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005654 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005655 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
5656 command as mentioned above.
5657 Example: >
5658 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005659< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
5660 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
5661 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
5662 :let x = [0, 1]
5663 :let i = 0
5664 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
5665 :echo x
5666< The result is [0, 2].
5667
5668:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
5669:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
5670:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
5671 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005672 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005673
5674:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005675 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005676 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
5677 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
5678 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005679 Example: >
5680 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
5681<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005682:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
5683:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
5684:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
5685 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005686 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005687 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005688:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005689 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
5690 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00005691 g: global variables
5692 b: local buffer variables
5693 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00005694 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00005695 s: script-local variables
5696 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005697 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005698
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005699:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
5700 variable is indicated before the value:
5701 <nothing> String
5702 # Number
5703 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005704
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005705
5706:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
5707 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
5708 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005709 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005710 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
5711 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005712 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005713 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
5714 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005715< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005716 :unlet dict['two']
5717 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005718
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005719:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
5720 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
5721 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
5722 A locked variable can be deleted: >
5723 :lockvar v
5724 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
5725 :unlet v
5726< *E741*
5727 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
5728 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
5729
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005730 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
5731 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
5732 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005733 cannot add or remove items, but can
5734 still change their values.
5735 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005736 the items. If an item is a |List| or
5737 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005738 items, but can still change the
5739 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005740 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
5741 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
5742 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
5743 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
5744 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005745 *E743*
5746 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
5747 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
5748 loops.
5749
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005750 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
5751 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00005752 locked when used through the other variable.
5753 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005754 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
5755 :let cl = l
5756 :lockvar l
5757 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
5758< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
5759 See |deepcopy()|.
5760
5761
5762:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
5763 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
5764 opposite of |:lockvar|.
5765
5766
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005767:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
5768:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5769 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5770
5771 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
5772 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
5773 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
5774 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
5775 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
5776 part was not executed either.
5777
5778 You can use this to remain compatible with older
5779 versions: >
5780 :if version >= 500
5781 : version-5-specific-commands
5782 :endif
5783< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
5784 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
5785 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
5786 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
5787 avoid problems: >
5788 :if version >= 600
5789 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
5790 :endif
5791<
5792 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
5793 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
5794
5795 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
5796:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5797 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
5798 executed.
5799
5800 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
5801:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
5802 is no extra ":endif".
5803
5804:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005805 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005806:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
5807 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5808 When an error is detected from a command inside the
5809 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005810 Example: >
5811 :let lnum = 1
5812 :while lnum <= line("$")
5813 :call FixLine(lnum)
5814 :let lnum = lnum + 1
5815 :endwhile
5816<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005817 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005818 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005819
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005820:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005821:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
5822 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005823 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005824 value of each item.
5825 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005826 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00005827 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
5828 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005829 :for item in copy(mylist)
5830< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
5831 next item in the list, before executing the commands
5832 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
5833 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
5834 it will not be found. Thus the following example
5835 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
5836 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005837 :call remove(mylist, 0)
5838 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005839< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
5840 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
5841 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005842 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
5843 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
5844 to allow multiple item types.
5845
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005846:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
5847:endfo[r]
5848 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
5849 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
5850 {var2}, etc. Example: >
5851 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
5852 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
5853 :endfor
5854<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005855 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005856:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
5857 to the start of the loop.
5858 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5859 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5860 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5861 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5862 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5863 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005864
5865 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005866:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
5867 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
5868 ":endfor".
5869 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5870 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5871 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5872 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5873 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5874 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005875
5876:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
5877:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
5878 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
5879 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
5880 or autocommand invocations.
5881
5882 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
5883 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
5884 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
5885 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
5886 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
5887 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
5888 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
5889 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
5890 Example: >
5891 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
5892 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
5893<
5894 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
5895 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
5896 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
5897 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
5898 processing is not terminated.
5899
5900 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
5901 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
5902 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
5903 other errors are converted to a value of the form
5904 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
5905 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
5906 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
5907 the error number.
5908 Examples: >
5909 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
5910 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
5911<
5912 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
5913:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
5914 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
5915 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
5916 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
5917 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
5918 commands are skipped.
5919 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
5920 Examples: >
5921 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
5922 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
5923 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
5924 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
5925 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
5926 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
5927 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
5928 :catch " same as /.*/
5929<
5930 Another character can be used instead of / around the
5931 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
5932 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
5933 {pattern}.
5934 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
5935 an error message because it may vary in different
5936 locales.
5937
5938 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
5939:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
5940 are executed whenever the part between the matching
5941 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
5942 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
5943 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
5944 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
5945
5946 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
5947:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
5948 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
5949 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
5950 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
5951 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
5952 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
5953 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
5954 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
5955 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
5956 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
5957 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
5958 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
5959 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
5960 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
5961 is terminated.
5962 Example: >
5963 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
5964<
5965
5966 *:ec* *:echo*
5967:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
5968 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
5969 Also see |:comment|.
5970 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
5971 cursor to the first column.
5972 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5973 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5974 Example: >
5975 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
5976< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
5977 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
5978 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
5979 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
5980 command. Example: >
5981 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
5982<
5983 *:echon*
5984:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
5985 |:comment|.
5986 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5987 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5988 Example: >
5989 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
5990<
5991 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
5992 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
5993 command: >
5994 :!echo % --> filename
5995< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
5996 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
5997< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
5998 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
5999 :echo % --> nothing
6000< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
6001 :echo "%" --> %
6002< This just echoes the '%' character. >
6003 :echo expand("%") --> filename
6004< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
6005
6006 *:echoh* *:echohl*
6007:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
6008 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
6009 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
6010 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
6011< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
6012 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
6013
6014 *:echom* *:echomsg*
6015:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
6016 message in the |message-history|.
6017 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6018 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
6019 displayed, not interpreted.
6020 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6021 Example: >
6022 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
6023<
6024 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
6025:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
6026 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
6027 script or function the line number will be added.
6028 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6029 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
6030 the message is raised as an error exception instead
6031 (see |try-echoerr|).
6032 Example: >
6033 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
6034< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
6035 And to get a beep: >
6036 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
6037<
6038 *:exe* *:execute*
6039:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
6040 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
6041 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
6042 used as the processed command, command line editing
6043 keys are not recognized.
6044 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6045 Examples: >
6046 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
6047 :execute "normal " count . "w"
6048<
6049 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
6050 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
6051 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
6052
6053< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
6054 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
6055 command: >
6056 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
6057< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
6058
6059 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006060 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
6061 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006062 :execute 'while i > 5'
6063 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
6064<
6065 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
6066 completely in the executed string: >
6067 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
6068<
6069
6070 *:comment*
6071 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
6072 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
6073 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
6074 comment. Example: >
6075 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
6076
6077==============================================================================
60788. Exception handling *exception-handling*
6079
6080The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
6081explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
6082
6083Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
6084|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
6085exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
6086
6087
6088TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
6089
6090Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
6091use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
6092a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
6093 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
6094|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
6095a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
6096be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
6097which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
6098clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
6099
6100 :try
6101 : ...
6102 : ... TRY BLOCK
6103 : ...
6104 :catch /{pattern}/
6105 : ...
6106 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6107 : ...
6108 :catch /{pattern}/
6109 : ...
6110 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6111 : ...
6112 :finally
6113 : ...
6114 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
6115 : ...
6116 :endtry
6117
6118The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
6119appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
6120from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
6121 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
6122is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
6123script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
6124 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
6125lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
6126patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
6127after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
6128executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
6129":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
6130(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
6131continues in the following line as usual.
6132 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
6133":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
6134that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
6135finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
6136the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
6137the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
6138see |try-nesting|.
6139 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
6140remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
6141not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
6142try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
6143a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
6144execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
6145exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6146 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
6147thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
6148clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
6149catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
6150following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
6151clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6152
6153The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
6154a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
6155try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
6156from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
6157sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
6158":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
6159":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
6160from the finally clause.
6161 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
6162try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
6163clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
6164":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
6165clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
6166":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
6167this pending exception or command is discarded.
6168
6169For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
6170
6171
6172NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
6173
6174Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
6175conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
6176clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
6177catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
6178of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
6179checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
6180try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
6181otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
6182nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
6183one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
6184the inner try conditional.
6185
6186When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
6187finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
6188An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
6189thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
6190implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
6191as usual.
6192
6193For examples see |throw-catch|.
6194
6195
6196EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
6197
6198Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
6199'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
6200script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
6201finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
6202a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
6203(see |debug-scripts|).
6204
6205
6206THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
6207
6208You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
6209and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
6210 :throw 4711
6211 :throw "string"
6212< *throw-expression*
6213You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
6214first, and the result is thrown: >
6215 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
6216 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
6217
6218An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
6219command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
6220The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
6221 Example: >
6222
6223 :function! Foo(arg)
6224 : try
6225 : throw a:arg
6226 : catch /foo/
6227 : endtry
6228 : return 1
6229 :endfunction
6230 :
6231 :function! Bar()
6232 : echo "in Bar"
6233 : return 4710
6234 :endfunction
6235 :
6236 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
6237
6238This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
6239executed. >
6240 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
6241however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
6242
6243Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
6244abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
6245exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
6246 Example: >
6247
6248 :if Foo("arrgh")
6249 : echo "then"
6250 :else
6251 : echo "else"
6252 :endif
6253
6254Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
6255
6256 *catch-order*
6257Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
6258commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
6259command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
6260gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
6261 Example: >
6262
6263 :function! Foo(value)
6264 : try
6265 : throw a:value
6266 : catch /^\d\+$/
6267 : echo "Number thrown"
6268 : catch /.*/
6269 : echo "String thrown"
6270 : endtry
6271 :endfunction
6272 :
6273 :call Foo(0x1267)
6274 :call Foo('string')
6275
6276The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
6277An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
6278specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
6279specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
6280
6281 : catch /.*/
6282 : echo "String thrown"
6283 : catch /^\d\+$/
6284 : echo "Number thrown"
6285
6286The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
6287never taken.
6288
6289 *throw-variables*
6290If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
6291in the variable |v:exception|: >
6292
6293 : catch /^\d\+$/
6294 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
6295
6296You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
6297|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
6298exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
6299 Example: >
6300
6301 :function! Caught()
6302 : if v:exception != ""
6303 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
6304 : else
6305 : echo 'Nothing caught'
6306 : endif
6307 :endfunction
6308 :
6309 :function! Foo()
6310 : try
6311 : try
6312 : try
6313 : throw 4711
6314 : finally
6315 : call Caught()
6316 : endtry
6317 : catch /.*/
6318 : call Caught()
6319 : throw "oops"
6320 : endtry
6321 : catch /.*/
6322 : call Caught()
6323 : finally
6324 : call Caught()
6325 : endtry
6326 :endfunction
6327 :
6328 :call Foo()
6329
6330This displays >
6331
6332 Nothing caught
6333 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
6334 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
6335 Nothing caught
6336
6337A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
6338number in the script or function where it has been used: >
6339
6340 :function! LineNumber()
6341 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
6342 :endfunction
6343 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
6344<
6345 *try-nested*
6346An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
6347a surrounding try conditional: >
6348
6349 :try
6350 : try
6351 : throw "foo"
6352 : catch /foobar/
6353 : echo "foobar"
6354 : finally
6355 : echo "inner finally"
6356 : endtry
6357 :catch /foo/
6358 : echo "foo"
6359 :endtry
6360
6361The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
6362clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
6363conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
6364
6365 *throw-from-catch*
6366You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
6367catch clause: >
6368
6369 :function! Foo()
6370 : throw "foo"
6371 :endfunction
6372 :
6373 :function! Bar()
6374 : try
6375 : call Foo()
6376 : catch /foo/
6377 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
6378 : throw "bar"
6379 : endtry
6380 :endfunction
6381 :
6382 :try
6383 : call Bar()
6384 :catch /.*/
6385 : echo "Caught" v:exception
6386 :endtry
6387
6388This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
6389
6390 *rethrow*
6391There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
6392"v:exception" instead: >
6393
6394 :function! Bar()
6395 : try
6396 : call Foo()
6397 : catch /.*/
6398 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
6399 : throw v:exception
6400 : endtry
6401 :endfunction
6402< *try-echoerr*
6403Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
6404exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
6405Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
6406denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
6407the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
6408
6409 :try
6410 : try
6411 : asdf
6412 : catch /.*/
6413 : echoerr v:exception
6414 : endtry
6415 :catch /.*/
6416 : echo v:exception
6417 :endtry
6418
6419This code displays
6420
6421 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
6422
6423
6424CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
6425
6426Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
6427user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
6428an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
6429a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
6430catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
6431a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
6432normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
6433(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
6434to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
6435clause has been executed.)
6436Example: >
6437
6438 :try
6439 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
6440 : set ts=17
6441 :
6442 : " Do the hard work here.
6443 :
6444 :finally
6445 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
6446 : unlet s:saved_ts
6447 :endtry
6448
6449This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
6450changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
6451that function or script part.
6452
6453 *break-finally*
6454Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
6455a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
6456 Example: >
6457
6458 :let first = 1
6459 :while 1
6460 : try
6461 : if first
6462 : echo "first"
6463 : let first = 0
6464 : continue
6465 : else
6466 : throw "second"
6467 : endif
6468 : catch /.*/
6469 : echo v:exception
6470 : break
6471 : finally
6472 : echo "cleanup"
6473 : endtry
6474 : echo "still in while"
6475 :endwhile
6476 :echo "end"
6477
6478This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
6479
6480 :function! Foo()
6481 : try
6482 : return 4711
6483 : finally
6484 : echo "cleanup\n"
6485 : endtry
6486 : echo "Foo still active"
6487 :endfunction
6488 :
6489 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
6490
6491This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
6492extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
6493return value.)
6494
6495 *except-from-finally*
6496Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
6497a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
6498cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
6499exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
6500 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
6501working correctly: >
6502
6503 :try
6504 : try
6505 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
6506 : while 1
6507 : endwhile
6508 : finally
6509 : unlet novar
6510 : endtry
6511 :catch /novar/
6512 :endtry
6513 :echo "Script still running"
6514 :sleep 1
6515
6516If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
6517think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
6518|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
6519
6520
6521CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
6522
6523If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
6524watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
6525presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
6526exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
6527the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
6528the error exception is.
6529 Error exceptions have the following format: >
6530
6531 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
6532or >
6533 Vim:{errmsg}
6534
6535{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
6536the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
6537when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
6538a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
6539a space.
6540
6541Examples:
6542
6543The command >
6544 :unlet novar
6545normally produces the error message >
6546 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6547which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6548 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
6549
6550The command >
6551 :dwim
6552normally produces the error message >
6553 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6554which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6555 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6556
6557You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
6558 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
6559or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
6560 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
6561
6562Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
6563 :function nofunc
6564and >
6565 :delfunction nofunc
6566both produce the error message >
6567 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6568which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6569 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6570or >
6571 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6572respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
6573command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
6574 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
6575
6576Some commands like >
6577 :let x = novar
6578produce multiple error messages, here: >
6579 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6580 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6581Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
6582one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
6583 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
6584
6585You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
6586 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
6587
6588You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
6589 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
6590
6591You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
6592 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
6593<
6594 *catch-text*
6595NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
6596 :catch /No such variable/
6597only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
6598a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
6599cite the message text in a comment: >
6600 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
6601
6602
6603IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
6604
6605You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
6606
6607 :try
6608 : write
6609 :catch
6610 :endtry
6611
6612But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
6613catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
6614be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
6615
6616 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
6617
6618There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
6619writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
6620then hide the error from the user.
6621 It is much better to use >
6622
6623 :try
6624 : write
6625 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6626 :endtry
6627
6628which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
6629intentionally.
6630
6631For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
6632even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
6633command: >
6634 :silent! nunmap k
6635This works also when a try conditional is active.
6636
6637
6638CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
6639
6640When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
6641the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
6642script is not terminated, then.
6643 Example: >
6644
6645 :function! TASK1()
6646 : sleep 10
6647 :endfunction
6648
6649 :function! TASK2()
6650 : sleep 20
6651 :endfunction
6652
6653 :while 1
6654 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
6655 : try
6656 : if command == ""
6657 : continue
6658 : elseif command == "END"
6659 : break
6660 : elseif command == "TASK1"
6661 : call TASK1()
6662 : elseif command == "TASK2"
6663 : call TASK2()
6664 : else
6665 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
6666 : continue
6667 : endif
6668 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6669 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
6670 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
6671 : endtry
6672 :endwhile
6673
6674You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
6675a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
6676
6677For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
6678your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
6679command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
6680
6681
6682CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
6683
6684The commands >
6685
6686 :catch /.*/
6687 :catch //
6688 :catch
6689
6690catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
6691explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
6692a script in order to catch unexpected things.
6693 Example: >
6694
6695 :try
6696 :
6697 : " do the hard work here
6698 :
6699 :catch /MyException/
6700 :
6701 : " handle known problem
6702 :
6703 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6704 : echo "Script interrupted"
6705 :catch /.*/
6706 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
6707 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
6708 :endtry
6709 :" end of script
6710
6711Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
6712strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
6713specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
6714 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
6715by pressing CTRL-C: >
6716
6717 :while 1
6718 : try
6719 : sleep 1
6720 : catch
6721 : endtry
6722 :endwhile
6723
6724
6725EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
6726
6727Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
6728
6729 :autocmd User x try
6730 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
6731 :autocmd User x catch
6732 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
6733 :autocmd User x endtry
6734 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
6735 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
6736 :
6737 :try
6738 : doautocmd User x
6739 :catch
6740 : echo v:exception
6741 :endtry
6742
6743This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
6744
6745 *except-autocmd-Pre*
6746For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
6747command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
6748of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
6749abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
6750 Example: >
6751
6752 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
6753 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
6754 :
6755 :try
6756 : write
6757 :catch
6758 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
6759 :endtry
6760
6761Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
6762you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
6763autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
6764script displays: >
6765
6766 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
6767<
6768 *except-autocmd-Post*
6769For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
6770command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
6771an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
6772is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
6773 Example: >
6774
6775 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
6776 :
6777 :try
6778 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6779 :catch
6780 : echo v:exception
6781 :endtry
6782
6783This just displays: >
6784
6785 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
6786
6787If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
6788fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
6789 Example: >
6790
6791 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
6792 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
6793 :
6794 :try
6795 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6796 :catch
6797 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6798 :endtry
6799<
6800You can also use ":silent!": >
6801
6802 :let x = "ok"
6803 :let v:errmsg = ""
6804 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
6805 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
6806 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
6807 :try
6808 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6809 :catch
6810 :endtry
6811 :echo x
6812
6813This displays "after fail".
6814
6815If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
6816autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
6817
6818 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
6819 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
6820 :
6821 :try
6822 : write
6823 :catch
6824 : echo v:exception
6825 :endtry
6826<
6827 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
6828For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
6829autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
6830of the command.
6831 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
6832had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
6833some way. >
6834
6835 :if !exists("cnt")
6836 : let cnt = 0
6837 :
6838 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
6839 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
6840 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
6841 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6842 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6843 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
6844 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
6845 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6846 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6847 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
6848 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6849 :endif
6850 :
6851 :try
6852 : write
6853 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
6854 : if &modified
6855 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
6856 : else
6857 : echo "Error after writing"
6858 : endif
6859 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6860 : echo "Error on writing"
6861 :endtry
6862
6863When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
6864first >
6865 File successfully written!
6866then >
6867 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
6868then >
6869 Error after writing
6870etc.
6871
6872 *except-autocmd-ill*
6873You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
6874The following code is ill-formed: >
6875
6876 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
6877 :
6878 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
6879 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
6880 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
6881 :
6882 :write
6883
6884
6885EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
6886
6887Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
6888pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
6889similar things in Vim.
6890 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
6891class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
6892string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
6893 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
6894it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
6895for an error when writing "myfile".
6896 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
6897base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
6898parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
6899 Example: >
6900
6901 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
6902 : if a:a < 0
6903 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
6904 : endif
6905 :endfunction
6906 :
6907 :function! Add(a, b)
6908 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
6909 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
6910 : let c = a:a + a:b
6911 : if c < 0
6912 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
6913 : endif
6914 : return c
6915 :endfunction
6916 :
6917 :function! Div(a, b)
6918 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
6919 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
6920 : if (a:b == 0)
6921 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
6922 : endif
6923 : return a:a / a:b
6924 :endfunction
6925 :
6926 :function! Write(file)
6927 : try
6928 : execute "write" a:file
6929 : catch /^Vim(write):/
6930 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
6931 : endtry
6932 :endfunction
6933 :
6934 :try
6935 :
6936 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
6937 :
6938 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
6939 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6940 : echo "Range error in" function
6941 :
6942 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
6943 : echo "Math error"
6944 :
6945 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
6946 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
6947 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6948 : if file !~ '^/'
6949 : let file = dir . "/" . file
6950 : endif
6951 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
6952 :
6953 :catch /^EXCEPT/
6954 : echo "Unspecified error"
6955 :
6956 :endtry
6957
6958The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
6959a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
6960exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
6961 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
6962failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
6963
6964
6965PECULIARITIES
6966 *except-compat*
6967The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
6968exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
6969and/or a catch clause.
6970
6971In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
6972continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
6973after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
6974functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
6975or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
6976(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
6977
6978This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
6979immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
6980conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
6981be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
6982termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
6983catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
6984by specifying a finally clause.)
6985
6986When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
6987behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
6988scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
6989
6990However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
6991commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
6992conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
6993script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
6994error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
6995messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
6996|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
6997not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
6998where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
6999error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
7000scripts.
7001
7002 *except-syntax-err*
7003Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
7004the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
7005clauses, however, is executed.
7006 Example: >
7007
7008 :try
7009 : try
7010 : throw 4711
7011 : catch /\(/
7012 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
7013 : catch
7014 : echo "inner catch-all"
7015 : finally
7016 : echo "inner finally"
7017 : endtry
7018 :catch
7019 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
7020 : finally
7021 : echo "outer finally"
7022 :endtry
7023
7024This displays: >
7025 inner finally
7026 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
7027 outer finally
7028The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
7029
7030 *except-single-line*
7031The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
7032a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
7033"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
7034 Example: >
7035 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
7036raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
7037argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
7038error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
7039displayed.
7040
7041 *except-several-errors*
7042When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
7043usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
7044 Example: >
7045 echo novar
7046causes >
7047 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7048 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7049The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7050 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
7051< *except-syntax-error*
7052But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
7053the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
7054 Example: >
7055 unlet novar #
7056causes >
7057 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7058 E488: Trailing characters
7059The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7060 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
7061This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
7062not intended by the user. Example: >
7063 try
7064 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
7065 catch /.*/
7066 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
7067 endtry
7068This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
7069a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
7070
7071==============================================================================
70729. Examples *eval-examples*
7073
7074Printing in Hex ~
7075>
7076 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
7077 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
7078 : let n = a:nr
7079 : let r = ""
7080 : while n
7081 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
7082 : let n = n / 16
7083 : endwhile
7084 : return r
7085 :endfunc
7086
7087 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
7088 :" character Hex string.
7089 :func String2Hex(str)
7090 : let out = ''
7091 : let ix = 0
7092 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
7093 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
7094 : let ix = ix + 1
7095 : endwhile
7096 : return out
7097 :endfunc
7098
7099Example of its use: >
7100 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
7101result: "20" >
7102 :echo String2Hex("32")
7103result: "3332"
7104
7105
7106Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
7107
7108Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
7109":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
7110platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
7111function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
7112with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
7113>
7114 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
7115 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
7116 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
7117 : return -1
7118 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
7119 : return 1
7120 : else
7121 : return 0
7122 : endif
7123 :endfunction
7124
7125 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
7126 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
7127 : if (a:start >= a:end)
7128 : return
7129 : endif
7130 : let partition = a:start - 1
7131 : let middle = partition
7132 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
7133 : let i = a:start
7134 : while (i <= a:end)
7135 : let str = getline(i)
7136 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
7137 : if (result <= 0)
7138 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
7139 : let partition = partition + 1
7140 : if (result == 0)
7141 : let middle = partition
7142 : endif
7143 : if (i != partition)
7144 : let str2 = getline(partition)
7145 : call setline(i, str2)
7146 : call setline(partition, str)
7147 : endif
7148 : endif
7149 : let i = i + 1
7150 : endwhile
7151
7152 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
7153 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
7154 : " the end of the partition.
7155 : if (middle != partition)
7156 : let str = getline(middle)
7157 : let str2 = getline(partition)
7158 : call setline(middle, str2)
7159 : call setline(partition, str)
7160 : endif
7161 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
7162 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
7163 :endfunc
7164
7165 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
7166 :" function that will compare two lines.
7167 :func! Sort(cmp) range
7168 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
7169 :endfunc
7170
7171 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
7172 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
7173<
7174 *sscanf*
7175There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
7176line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
7177how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
7178"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
7179 :" Set up the match bit
7180 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
7181 :"get the part matching the whole expression
7182 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
7183 :"get each item out of the match
7184 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
7185 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
7186 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
7187
7188The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
7189"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
7190
7191==============================================================================
719210. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
7193
7194When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
7195evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
7196to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
7197recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
7198and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
7199only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
7200recognized.
7201
7202Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
7203missing: >
7204
7205 :if 1
7206 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
7207 :else
7208 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
7209 :endif
7210
7211==============================================================================
721211. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
7213
7214The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
7215options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
7216these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
7217these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00007218a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007219The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007220
7221These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
7222 - changing the buffer text
7223 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
7224 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
7225 - executing a shell command
7226 - reading or writing a file
7227 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00007228 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007229This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
7230
7231 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00007232:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007233 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
7234 'foldexpr'.
7235
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007236 *sandbox-option*
7237A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00007238have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007239restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
7240location. Insecure in this context are:
7241- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directlry
7242- while executing in the sandbox
7243- value coming from a modeline
7244
7245Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
7246option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
7247
7248==============================================================================
724912. Textlock *textlock*
7250
7251In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
7252to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
7253is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
7254actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
7255happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
7256
7257This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
7258 - changing the buffer text
7259 - jumping to another buffer or window
7260 - editing another file
7261 - closing a window or quitting Vim
7262 - etc.
7263
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007264
7265 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: