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Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2005 May 31
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram 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 Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000031
32{Vi does not have any of these commands}
33
34==============================================================================
351. Variables *variables*
36
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000371.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000038 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000039There are four types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000040
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000041Number A 32 bit signed number.
42 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
43
44String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
45 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
46
47Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
48 Example: function("strlen")
49
50List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
51 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000052
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000053The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
54are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000055
56Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
57the Number. Examples: >
58 Number 123 --> String "123"
59 Number 0 --> String "0"
60 Number -1 --> String "-1"
61
62Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
63to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
64the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
65 String "456" --> Number 456
66 String "6bar" --> Number 6
67 String "foo" --> Number 0
68 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
69 String "0100" --> Number 64
70 String "-8" --> Number -8
71 String "+8" --> Number 0
72
73To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
74 :echo "0100" + 0
75
76For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
77
78Note that in the command >
79 :if "foo"
80"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
81use strlen(): >
82 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000083< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
84List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000085
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000086 *E706*
87You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
88to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000089equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000090 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000091 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000092 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000093
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000094
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000951.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000096 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000097A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000098in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
99around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000100
101 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
102 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000103< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000104A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:" or "b:". You cannot
105have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000106
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000107A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
108Dictionary entry. Example: >
109 :function dict.init() dict
110 : let self.val = 0
111 :endfunction
112
113The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
114function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
115
116A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
117 :call Fn()
118 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000119
120The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000121 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000122
123You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
124arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000125 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000126
127
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001281.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000129 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000130A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
131can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
132position in the sequence.
133
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000134
135List creation ~
136 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000137A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000138Examples: >
139 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
140 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000141
142An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143nested List: >
144 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000145
146An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
147
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000148
149List index ~
150 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000151An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000152after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
153 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000154 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000155
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000156When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000157 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000158<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000159A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
160the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000161 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
162
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000163To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000164is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000165 :echo get(mylist, idx)
166 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
167
168
169List concatenation ~
170
171Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
172 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000173 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000174
175To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
176it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
177
178
179Sublist ~
180
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000181A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
182separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000183 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000184
185Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
186similar to -1. The difference is that there is no error if the items are not
187available. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000188 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
189 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
190 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000191
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000192The second index can be just before the first index. In that case the result
193is an empty list. If the second index is lower, this results in an error. >
194 :echo mylist[2:1] " result: []
195 :echo mylist[2:0] " error!
196
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000197NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
198using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
199mylist[s : e].
200
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000201
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000202List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000203 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000204When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
205variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
206change "bb": >
207 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
208 :let bb = aa
209 :call add(aa, 4)
210 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000211< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212
213Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
214works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000215a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000216 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
217 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000218 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000219 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
220 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000221< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000222 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000223< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000224
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000225To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000226copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000227
228The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000229List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000230the same value. >
231 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
232 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
233 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000234< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000235 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000236< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000237
238
239List unpack ~
240
241To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
242square brackets, like list items: >
243 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
244
245When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
246this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
247and a variable name: >
248 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
249
250This works like: >
251 :let var1 = mylist[0]
252 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000253 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000254
255Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
256empty list then.
257
258
259List modification ~
260 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000261To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000262 :let list[4] = "four"
263 :let listlist[0][3] = item
264
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000265To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000266modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000267 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
268
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000269Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
270examples: >
271 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
272 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
273 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000274 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000275 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
276 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000277 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000278 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000279 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000280 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000281
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000282Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000283 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
284 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
285
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000286
287For loop ~
288
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000289The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
290to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000291 :for item in mylist
292 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000293 :endfor
294
295This works like: >
296 :let index = 0
297 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000298 : let item = mylist[index]
299 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000300 : let index = index + 1
301 :endwhile
302
303Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000304results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000305the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000306
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000307If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000308function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000309
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000310Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
311requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
312 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
313 : call Doit(lnum, col)
314 :endfor
315
316This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
317must remain the same to avoid an error.
318
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000319It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000320 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
321 : call Doit(i, j)
322 : if !empty(rest)
323 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
324 : endif
325 :endfor
326
327
328List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000329 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000330Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000331 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000332 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000333 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
334 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
335 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000336 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
337 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000338 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
339 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000340 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
341 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000342 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
343 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000344
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000345Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
346example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
347 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
348
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000349
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003501.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000351 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000352A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000353entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
354ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000355
356
357Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000358 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000359A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000360braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
361only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000362 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
363 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000364< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000365A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
366String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000367entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
368Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000369
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000370A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000371nested Dictionary: >
372 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
373
374An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
375
376
377Accessing entries ~
378
379The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
380 :let val = mydict["one"]
381 :let mydict["four"] = 4
382
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000383You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000384
385For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
386form can be used |expr-entry|: >
387 :let val = mydict.one
388 :let mydict.four = 4
389
390Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
391key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000392 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000393
394
395Dictionary to List conversion ~
396
397You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
398turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
399
400Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
401 :for key in keys(mydict)
402 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
403 :endfor
404
405The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
406 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
407
408To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
409 :for v in values(mydict)
410 : echo "value: " . v
411 :endfor
412
413If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000414a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000415 :for entry in items(mydict)
416 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
417 :endfor
418
419
420Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000421 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000422Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
423Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
424Dictionary: >
425 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
426 :let adict = onedict
427 :let adict['a'] = 11
428 :echo onedict['a']
429 11
430
431For more info see |list-identity|.
432
433
434Dictionary modification ~
435 *dict-modification*
436To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
437use |:let| this way: >
438 :let dict[4] = "four"
439 :let dict['one'] = item
440
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000441Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
442Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
443 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
444 :unlet dict.aaa
445 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000446
447Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000448 :call extend(adict, bdict)
449This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
450in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000451Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
452expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
453adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000454
455Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +0000456 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000457This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000458
459
460Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000461 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000462When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
463special way with a dictionary. Example: >
464 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000465 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000466 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000467 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
468 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000469
470This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
471Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
472the function was invoked from.
473
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000474It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
475Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
476
477 *numbered-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000478To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
479assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000480 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
481 :function mydict.len() dict
482 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000483 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000484 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000485
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000486The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
487that references this function. The function can only be used through a
488|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
489remaining that refers to it.
490
491It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000492
493
494Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000495 *E715*
496Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000497 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
498 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
499 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
500 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
501 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
502 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
503 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
504 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000505
506
5071.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000508 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000509If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
510function.
511
512When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
513start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
514stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
515
516When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
517start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
518stored in the session file |session-file|.
519
520variable name can be stored where ~
521my_var_6 not
522My_Var_6 session file
523MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
524
525
526It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
527|curly-braces-names|.
528
529==============================================================================
5302. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
531
532Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
533
534|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
535
536|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
537
538|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
539
540|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
541 expr5 != expr5 not equal
542 expr5 > expr5 greater than
543 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
544 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
545 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
546 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
547 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
548
549 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
550 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
551 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
552 matching case
553
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000554 expr5 is expr5 same List instance
555 expr5 isnot expr5 different List instance
556
557|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000558 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
559 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
560
561|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
562 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
563 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
564
565|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
566 - expr7 unary minus
567 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000568
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000569
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000570|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a List
571 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a List
572 expr8.name entry in a Dictionary
573 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with Funcref variable
574
575|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000576 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000577 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000578 [expr1, ...] List
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000579 {expr1: expr1, ...} Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000580 &option option value
581 (expr1) nested expression
582 variable internal variable
583 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
584 $VAR environment variable
585 @r contents of register 'r'
586 function(expr1, ...) function call
587 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
588
589
590".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
591Example: >
592 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
593
594All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
595
596
597expr1 *expr1* *E109*
598-----
599
600expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
601
602The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
603non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
604otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
605Example: >
606 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
607
608Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
609other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
610Example: >
611 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
612
613To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
614 :echo lnum == 1
615 :\ ? "top"
616 :\ : lnum == 1000
617 :\ ? "last"
618 :\ : lnum
619
620
621expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
622---------------
623
624 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
625The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
626are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
627
628 input output ~
629n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
630zero zero zero zero
631zero non-zero non-zero zero
632non-zero zero non-zero zero
633non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
634
635The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
636
637 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
638
639Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
640
641 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
642
643Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
644arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
645
646 let a = 1
647 echo a || b
648
649This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
650so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
651
652 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
653
654This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
655only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
656
657
658expr4 *expr4*
659-----
660
661expr5 {cmp} expr5
662
663Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
664if it evaluates to true.
665
666 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
667 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
668 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
669 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
670 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
671 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000672 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000673 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
674equal == ==# ==?
675not equal != !=# !=?
676greater than > ># >?
677greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
678smaller than < <# <?
679smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
680regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
681regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000682same instance is
683different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000684
685Examples:
686"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
687"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
688"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
689
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000690 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000691A List can only be compared with a List and only "equal", "not equal" and "is"
692can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively. Ignoring
693case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
694
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000695 *E735* *E736*
696A Dictionary can only be compared with a Dictionary and only "equal", "not
697equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the Dictionary,
698recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
699
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000700 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000701A Funcref can only be compared with a Funcref and only "equal" and "not equal"
702can be used. Case is never ignored.
703
704When using "is" or "isnot" with a List this checks if the expressions are
705referring to the same List instance. A copy of a List is different from the
706original List. When using "is" without a List it is equivalent to using
707"equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
708different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
709is false.
710
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000711When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
712and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
713because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
714
715When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
716results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
717necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
718
719When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
720'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
721
722When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
723'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
724
725The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
726argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
727This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
728matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
729portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
730single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
731Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
732(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
733can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
734 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
735 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
736
737
738expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
739---------------
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000740expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or List concatenation *expr-+*
741expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
742expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000743
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000744For Lists only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The result
745is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
746
747expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
748expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
749expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000750
751For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
752
753Note the difference between "+" and ".":
754 "123" + "456" = 579
755 "123" . "456" = "123456"
756
757When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
758When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
759
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000760None of these work for Funcrefs.
761
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000762
763expr7 *expr7*
764-----
765! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
766- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
767+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
768
769For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
770For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
771For '+' the number is unchanged.
772
773A String will be converted to a Number first.
774
775These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
776 !-1 == 0
777 !!8 == 1
778 --9 == 9
779
780
781expr8 *expr8*
782-----
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000783expr8[expr1] item of String or List *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000784
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000785If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
786expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000787Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000788
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000789Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
790text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
791cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000792 :let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1]
793
794If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000795String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
796compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
797
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000798If expr8 is a List then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000799for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
800error. Example: >
801 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
802
803Generally, if a List index is equal to or higher than the length of the List,
804or more negative than the length of the List, this results in an error.
805
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000806
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000807expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000808
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000809If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
810from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000811expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
812encodings.
813
814If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
815string minus one is used.
816
817A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
818the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
819
820If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
821expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
822
823Examples: >
824 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
825 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
826 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
827 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
828
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000829If expr8 is a List this results in a new List with the items indicated by the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000830indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained just
831above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
832 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
833 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
834 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
835
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000836Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a Funcref results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000837
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000838
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000839expr8.name entry in a Dictionary *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000840
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000841If expr8 is a Dictionary and it is followed by a dot, then the following name
842will be used as a key in the Dictionary. This is just like: expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000843
844The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
845but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
846
847There must not be white space before or after the dot.
848
849Examples: >
850 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
851 :echo dict.one
852 :echo dict .2
853
854Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
855always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
856
857
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000858expr8(expr1, ...) Funcref function call
859
860When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
861
862
863
864 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000865number
866------
867number number constant *expr-number*
868
869Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
870
871
872string *expr-string* *E114*
873------
874"string" string constant *expr-quote*
875
876Note that double quotes are used.
877
878A string constant accepts these special characters:
879\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
880\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
881\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
882\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
883\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
884\X.. same as \x..
885\X. same as \x.
886\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
887 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
888\U.... same as \u....
889\b backspace <BS>
890\e escape <Esc>
891\f formfeed <FF>
892\n newline <NL>
893\r return <CR>
894\t tab <Tab>
895\\ backslash
896\" double quote
897\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
898
899Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
900
901
902literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
903---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000904'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000905
906Note that single quotes are used.
907
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000908This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000909meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000910
911Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
912to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
913 if a =~ "\\s*"
914 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000915
916
917option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
918------
919&option option value, local value if possible
920&g:option global option value
921&l:option local option value
922
923Examples: >
924 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
925 if &insertmode
926
927Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
928and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
929anyway.
930
931
932register *expr-register*
933--------
934@r contents of register 'r'
935
936The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
937Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
938register use @" or @@. The '=' register can not be used here. See
939|registers| for an explanation of the available registers.
940
941
942nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
943-------
944(expr1) nested expression
945
946
947environment variable *expr-env*
948--------------------
949$VAR environment variable
950
951The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
952result is an empty string.
953 *expr-env-expand*
954Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
955expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
956are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
957the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
958fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
959does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
960 :echo $version
961 :echo expand("$version")
962The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
963variable (if your shell supports it).
964
965
966internal variable *expr-variable*
967-----------------
968variable internal variable
969See below |internal-variables|.
970
971
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000972function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000973-------------
974function(expr1, ...) function call
975See below |functions|.
976
977
978==============================================================================
9793. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
980 *E461*
981An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
982cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
983|curly-braces-names|.
984
985An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000986An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
987|:unlet|.
988Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
989been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000990
991There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
992specified by what is prepended:
993
994 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
995|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
996|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
997|global-variable| g: Global.
998|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
999|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1000|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1001|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1002
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001003The scope name by itself can be used as a Dictionary. For example, to delete
1004all script-local variables: >
1005 :for k in keys(s:)
1006 : unlet s:[k]
1007 :endfor
1008<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001009 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1010A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1011Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1012This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1013|:bdelete|.
1014
1015One local buffer variable is predefined:
1016 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1017b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1018 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1019 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1020 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1021 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1022 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1023 : call My_Update()
1024 :endif
1025<
1026 *window-variable* *w:var*
1027A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1028is deleted when the window is closed.
1029
1030 *global-variable* *g:var*
1031Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1032access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1033place if you like.
1034
1035 *local-variable* *l:var*
1036Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1037But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1038
1039 *script-variable* *s:var*
1040In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1041accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1042
1043They can be used in:
1044- commands executed while the script is sourced
1045- functions defined in the script
1046- autocommands defined in the script
1047- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1048 defined in the script (recursively)
1049- user defined commands defined in the script
1050Thus not in:
1051- other scripts sourced from this one
1052- mappings
1053- etc.
1054
1055script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1056Take this example:
1057
1058 let s:counter = 0
1059 function MyCounter()
1060 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1061 echo s:counter
1062 endfunction
1063 command Tick call MyCounter()
1064
1065You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1066that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1067"Tick" was defined is used.
1068
1069Another example that does the same: >
1070
1071 let s:counter = 0
1072 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1073
1074When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001075script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001076defined.
1077
1078The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1079function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1080
1081 let s:counter = 0
1082 function StartCounting(incr)
1083 if a:incr
1084 function MyCounter()
1085 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1086 endfunction
1087 else
1088 function MyCounter()
1089 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1090 endfunction
1091 endif
1092 endfunction
1093
1094This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1095when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1096called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1097
1098When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1099They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1100maintain a counter: >
1101
1102 if !exists("s:counter")
1103 let s:counter = 1
1104 echo "script executed for the first time"
1105 else
1106 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1107 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1108 endif
1109
1110Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1111variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1112
1113
1114Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1115
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001116 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1117v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1118 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1119 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1120
1121 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1122v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1123 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1124
1125 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1126v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1127 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1128
1129 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
1130v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as it is
1131 useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies, but a
1132 dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a ']'
1133 the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
1134 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1135 highlighted text is used.
1136 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1137
1138 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1139v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1140 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1141
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001142 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1143v:charconvert_from
1144 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1145 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1146
1147 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1148v:charconvert_to
1149 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1150 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1151
1152 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1153v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1154 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1155 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1156 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1157 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1158 possible to append this variable directly after the
1159 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1160 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1161 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1162 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1163 in 'printexpr'.
1164
1165 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1166v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1167 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1168 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1169 can be used.
1170
1171 *v:count* *count-variable*
1172v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1173 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1174 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1175< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1176 get when typing ':' after a count.
1177 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1178
1179 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1180v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1181 used.
1182
1183 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1184v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1185 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1186 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1187 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1188 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1189 command.
1190 See |multi-lang|.
1191
1192 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1193v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1194 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1195 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1196 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1197 Example: >
1198 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1199<
1200 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1201v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1202 Example: >
1203 :let v:errmsg = ""
1204 :silent! next
1205 :if v:errmsg != ""
1206 : ... handle error
1207< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1208
1209 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1210v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1211 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1212 Example: >
1213 :try
1214 : throw "oops"
1215 :catch /.*/
1216 : echo "caught" v:exception
1217 :endtry
1218< Output: "caught oops".
1219
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001220 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1221v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1222 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1223 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1224 deleted file no longer exists
1225 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1226 changed and buffer is modified
1227 changed file contents has changed
1228 mode mode of file changed
1229 time only file timestamp changed
1230
1231 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1232v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1233 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1234 do with the affected buffer:
1235 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1236 the file was deleted).
1237 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1238 was no autocommand. Except that when
1239 only the timestamp changed nothing
1240 will happen.
1241 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1242 everything that needs to be done.
1243 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1244 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1245
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001246 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
1247v:fname_in The name of the input file. Only valid while evaluating:
1248 option used for ~
1249 'charconvert' file to be converted
1250 'diffexpr' original file
1251 'patchexpr' original file
1252 'printexpr' file to be printed
1253
1254 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1255v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1256 evaluating:
1257 option used for ~
1258 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1259 'diffexpr' output of diff
1260 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1261 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1262 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1263 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1264 file and different from v:fname_in.
1265
1266 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1267v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1268 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1269
1270 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1271v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1272 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1273
1274 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1275v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1276 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001277 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001278
1279 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1280v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001281 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001282
1283 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1284v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001285 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001286
1287 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1288v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001289 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001290
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001291 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1292v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1293 events. Values:
1294 i Insert mode
1295 r Replace mode
1296 v Virtual Replace mode
1297
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001298 *v:key* *key-variable*
1299v:key Key of the current item of a Dictionary. Only valid while
1300 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1301 Read-only.
1302
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001303 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1304v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1305 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1306 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1307 The value is system dependent.
1308 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1309 command.
1310 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1311 in a different language than what is used for character
1312 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1313
1314 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1315v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1316 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1317 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1318 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1319 command. See |multi-lang|.
1320
1321 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001322v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
1323 expressions. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1324 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001325
1326 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1327v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1328 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1329 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1330 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1331< Read-only.
1332
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001333 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1334v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1335 See |profiling|.
1336
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001337 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1338v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1339 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1340 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1341 Read-only.
1342
1343 *v:register* *register-variable*
1344v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1345 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1346
1347 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1348v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1349 Read-only.
1350
1351 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1352v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1353 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1354 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1355 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1356 executed. Read-only.
1357 Example: >
1358 :!mv foo bar
1359 :if v:shell_error
1360 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1361 :endif
1362< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1363
1364 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1365v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1366
1367 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1368v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1369 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1370 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1371 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1372 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1373 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1374 terminal.
1375 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1376 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1377 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1378 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1379 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1380
1381 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1382v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1383 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1384 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1385 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1386
1387 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1388v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1389 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1390 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1391 Example: >
1392 :try
1393 : throw "oops"
1394 :catch /.*/
1395 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1396 :endtry
1397< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1398
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001399 *v:val* *val-variable*
1400v:val Value of the current item of a List or Dictionary. Only valid
1401 while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
1402 |filter()|. Read-only.
1403
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001404 *v:version* *version-variable*
1405v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1406 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1407 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1408 compatibility.
1409 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1410 if has("patch123")
1411< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1412 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1413 completely different.
1414
1415 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1416v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1417
1418==============================================================================
14194. Builtin Functions *functions*
1420
1421See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1422
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001423(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001424
1425USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1426
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001427add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to List {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001428append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001429append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001430argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001431argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001432argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
1433browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1434 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001435browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001436bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001437buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1438bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001439bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1440bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1441bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1442byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001443byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001444call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1445 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001446char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001447cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001448col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
1449confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1450 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001451copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001452count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1453 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001454cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1455 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001456cursor( {lnum}, {col}) Number position cursor at {lnum}, {col}
1457deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001458delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1459did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001460diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1461diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001462empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001463escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001464eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001465eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001466executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1467exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
1468expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
1469filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001470filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1471 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001472finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
1473 String Find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001474findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001475 String Find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001476filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
1477fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001478foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1479foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001480foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001481foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001482foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001483function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001484get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001485get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001486getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1487getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001488getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
1489getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1490getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
1491getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001492getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1493getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001494getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001495getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001496getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001497getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1498getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001499getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001500getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001501getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001502getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1503getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1504getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in window {nr}
1505glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1506globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1507has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001508has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001509hasmapto( {what} [, {mode}]) Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
1510histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1511histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1512histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1513histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1514hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1515hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1516hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001517iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1518indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001519index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1520 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001521input( {prompt} [, {text}]) String get input from the user
1522inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001523inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1524inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001525inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001526insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001527isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001528islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001529items( {dict}) List List of key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001530join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001531keys( {dict}) List List of keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001532len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1533libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001534libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1535line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1536line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001537lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001538localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001539map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001540maparg( {name}[, {mode}]) String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1541mapcheck( {name}[, {mode}]) String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001542match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001543 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001544matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001545 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001546matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1547 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001548matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1549 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001550max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1551min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001552mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1553 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001554mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001555nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1556nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
1557prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001558range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1559 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001560readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1561 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001562remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1563 String send expression
1564remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1565remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1566 Number check for reply string
1567remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1568remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1569 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001570remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001571remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001572rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1573repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1574resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001575reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001576search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001577searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001578 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001579server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1580 Number send reply string
1581serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1582setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1583setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1584setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00001585setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number set list of quickfix items using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001586setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001587setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001588simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001589sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001590split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
1591 List make List from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001592strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001593stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1594 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001595string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001596strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1597strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1598 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001599strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1600 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001601strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001602submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001603substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1604 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001605synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001606synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1607 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1608synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001609system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001610taglist({expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001611tempname() String name for a temporary file
1612tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1613toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001614tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1615 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001616type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001617values( {dict}) List List of values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001618virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1619visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1620winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1621wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1622winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1623winline() Number window line of the cursor
1624winnr() Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001625winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001626winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001627writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1628 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001629
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001630add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
1631 Append the item {expr} to List {list}. Returns the resulting
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001632 List. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001633 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1634 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
1635< Note that when {expr} is a List it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001636 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001637 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001638
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001639
1640append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001641 When {expr} is a List: Append each item of the List as a text
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001642 line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001643 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1644 the current buffer.
1645 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001646 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1647 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001648 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001649 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001650<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001651 *argc()*
1652argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1653 current window. See |arglist|.
1654
1655 *argidx()*
1656argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1657 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1658
1659 *argv()*
1660argv({nr}) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
1661 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1662 Example: >
1663 :let i = 0
1664 :while i < argc()
1665 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1666 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1667 : let i = i + 1
1668 :endwhile
1669<
1670 *browse()*
1671browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1672 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1673 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1674 The input fields are:
1675 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1676 {title} title for the requester
1677 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1678 {default} default file name
1679 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1680 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1681
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001682 *browsedir()*
1683browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1684 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1685 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1686 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1687 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1688 to be used.
1689 The input fields are:
1690 {title} title for the requester
1691 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1692 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1693 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1694
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001695bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1696 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1697 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001698 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001699 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001700 exactly. The name can be:
1701 - Relative to the current directory.
1702 - A full path.
1703 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1704 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001705 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1706 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1707 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1708 long name to be able to find them.
1709 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1710 file name.
1711 *buffer_exists()*
1712 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1713
1714buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1715 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1716 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001717 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001718
1719bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1720 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1721 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001722 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001723
1724bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1725 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1726 ":ls" command.
1727 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1728 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1729 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1730 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1731 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1732 match an empty string is returned.
1733 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1734 alternate buffer.
1735 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1736 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1737 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1738 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1739 buffers are searched for.
1740 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1741 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1742 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1743< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1744 string is returned. >
1745 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1746 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1747 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1748 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1749< *buffer_name()*
1750 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1751
1752 *bufnr()*
1753bufnr({expr}) The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
1754 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
1755 above. If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
1756 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1757 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1758< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1759 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1760 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1761 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1762 *buffer_number()*
1763 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1764 *last_buffer_nr()*
1765 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1766
1767bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1768 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1769 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1770 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1771 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1772
1773 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1774
1775< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1776 |:wincmd|.
1777
1778
1779byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1780 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1781 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1782 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1783 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1784 one.
1785 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1786 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1787 feature}
1788
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001789byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1790 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1791 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1792 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1793 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1794 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1795 Example : >
1796 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1797< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1798 same: >
1799 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1800 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1801< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1802 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1803 is returned.
1804
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001805call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001806 Call function {func} with the items in List {arglist} as
1807 arguments.
1808 {func} can either be a Funcref or the name of a function.
1809 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1810 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001811 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1812 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001813
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001814char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1815 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1816 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1817 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1818< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
1819 char2nr("á") returns 225
1820 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001821< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001822
1823cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1824 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1825 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1826 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1827 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1828 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1829 feature, -1 is returned.
1830
1831 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001832col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001833 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1834 . the cursor position
1835 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1836 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1837 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1838 returned)
1839 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1840 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1841 Examples: >
1842 col(".") column of cursor
1843 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1844 col("'t") column of mark t
1845 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1846< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
1847 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1848 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1849 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
1850 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
1851 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
1852 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
1853 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
1854<
1855 *confirm()*
1856confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1857 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
1858 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
1859 choice this is 1.
1860 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
1861 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
1862 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
1863 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
1864 used (and translated).
1865 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
1866 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
1867 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
1868 by '\n', e.g. >
1869 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
1870< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
1871 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
1872 not need to be the first letter: >
1873 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
1874< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
1875 the default shortcut key.
1876 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
1877 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
1878 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
1879 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
1880 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
1881 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
1882 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
1883 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
1884 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
1885 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
1886 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
1887
1888 An example: >
1889 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
1890 :if choice == 0
1891 : echo "make up your mind!"
1892 :elseif choice == 3
1893 : echo "tasteful"
1894 :else
1895 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
1896 :endif
1897< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
1898 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
1899 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
1900 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
1901 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
1902 the horizontal layout is always used.
1903
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001904 *copy()*
1905copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
1906 different from using {expr} directly.
1907 When {expr} is a List a shallow copy is created. This means
1908 that the original List can be changed without changing the
1909 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
1910 changing an item changes the contents of both Lists. Also see
1911 |deepcopy()|.
1912
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001913count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001914 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001915 in List or Dictionary {comp}.
1916 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
1917 {start} can only be used with a List.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001918 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
1919
1920
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001921 *cscope_connection()*
1922cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1923 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
1924 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
1925 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
1926 if there are no cscope connections;
1927 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
1928
1929 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
1930 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
1931
1932 {num} Description of existence check
1933 ----- ------------------------------
1934 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
1935 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
1936 {dbpath}.
1937 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
1938 {dbpath}.
1939 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
1940 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1941 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
1942 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1943
1944 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
1945
1946 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
1947
1948 # pid database name prepend path
1949 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
1950<
1951 Invocation Return Val ~
1952 ---------- ---------- >
1953 cscope_connection() 1
1954 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
1955 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
1956 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
1957 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
1958 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
1959 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
1960 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
1961<
1962cursor({lnum}, {col}) *cursor()*
1963 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
1964 Does not change the jumplist.
1965 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
1966 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
1967 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
1968 If {col} is greater than the number of characters in the line,
1969 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
1970 line.
1971 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
1972
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001973
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001974deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001975 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
1976 different from using {expr} directly.
1977 When {expr} is a List a full copy is created. This means
1978 that the original List can be changed without changing the
1979 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a List, a copy for it
1980 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
1981 not change the contents of the original List.
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001982 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained List or Dictionary
1983 is only copied once. All references point to this single
1984 copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a List or
1985 Dictionary results in a new copy. This also means that a
1986 cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00001987 *E724*
1988 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001989 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
1990 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001991 Also see |copy()|.
1992
1993delete({fname}) *delete()*
1994 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001995 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
1996 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001997 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001998
1999 *did_filetype()*
2000did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2001 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2002 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2003 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2004 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2005 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2006 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2007 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2008 file.
2009
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002010diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2011 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2012 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2013 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2014 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2015 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2016 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2017 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2018
2019diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2020 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2021 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2022 diff change zero is returned.
2023 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2024 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2025 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2026 line.
2027 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2028 syntax information about the highlighting.
2029
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002030empty({expr}) *empty()*
2031 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002032 A List or Dictionary is empty when it does not have any items.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002033 A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2034 For a long List this is much faster then comparing the length
2035 with zero.
2036
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002037escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2038 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2039 backslash. Example: >
2040 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2041< results in: >
2042 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002043
2044< *eval()*
2045eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2046 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2047 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
2048 Also works for Funcrefs that refer to existing functions.
2049
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002050eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2051 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2052 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2053 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2054 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2055
2056executable({expr}) *executable()*
2057 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2058 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002059 arguments.
2060 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2061 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2062 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2063 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2064 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2065 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2066 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2067 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2068 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2069 extension.
2070 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2071 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002072 The result is a Number:
2073 1 exists
2074 0 does not exist
2075 -1 not implemented on this system
2076
2077 *exists()*
2078exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2079 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2080 which contains one of these:
2081 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2082 not if it really works)
2083 +option-name Vim option that works.
2084 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2085 done by comparing with an empty
2086 string)
2087 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2088 or user defined function (see
2089 |user-functions|).
2090 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002091 |internal-variables|). Also works
2092 for |curly-braces-names|, Dictionary
2093 entries, List items, etc. Beware that
2094 this may cause functions to be
2095 invoked cause an error message for an
2096 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002097 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2098 command or command modifier |:command|.
2099 Returns:
2100 1 for match with start of a command
2101 2 full match with a command
2102 3 matches several user commands
2103 To check for a supported command
2104 always check the return value to be 2.
2105 #event autocommand defined for this event
2106 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2107 pattern (the pattern is taken
2108 literally and compared to the
2109 autocommand patterns character by
2110 character)
2111 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2112
2113 Examples: >
2114 exists("&shortname")
2115 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2116 exists("*strftime")
2117 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2118 exists("bufcount")
2119 exists(":Make")
2120 exists("#CursorHold");
2121 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
2122< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2123 name.
2124 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2125 variable itself! For example: >
2126 exists(bufcount)
2127< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
2128 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
2129 exists.
2130
2131expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2132 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2133 The result is a String.
2134
2135 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2136 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2137 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2138
2139 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2140 for a non-existing file is not included.
2141
2142 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2143 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2144 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2145
2146 % current file name
2147 # alternate file name
2148 #n alternate file name n
2149 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2150 <afile> autocmd file name
2151 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2152 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2153 <sfile> sourced script file name
2154 <cword> word under the cursor
2155 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2156 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2157 message |server2client()|
2158 Modifiers:
2159 :p expand to full path
2160 :h head (last path component removed)
2161 :t tail (last path component only)
2162 :r root (one extension removed)
2163 :e extension only
2164
2165 Example: >
2166 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2167< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2168 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2169 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2170< Use this: >
2171 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2172< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2173 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2174 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2175 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2176 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2177<
2178 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2179 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2180 to modify normal file names.
2181
2182 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2183 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2184 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2185 '/' added.
2186
2187 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2188 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2189 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2190 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
2191 non-existing files are included.
2192
2193 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2194 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2195 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2196 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2197 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2198 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2199 "$FOOBAR".
2200
2201 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2202 getting the raw output of an external command.
2203
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002204extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
2205 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both Lists or both Dictionaries.
2206
2207 If they are Lists: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
2208 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2209 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2210 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2211 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002212 Examples: >
2213 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2214 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002215< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2216 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002217 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002218<
2219 If they are Dictionaries:
2220 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2221 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2222 used to decide what to do:
2223 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2224 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00002225 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002226 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2227
2228 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2229 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2230 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2231 Returns {expr1}.
2232
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002233
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002234filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2235 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2236 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2237 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2238 expression, which is used as a String.
2239 *file_readable()*
2240 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2241
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002242
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002243filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
2244 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
2245 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
2246 is zero remove the item from the List or Dictionary.
2247 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
2248 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
2249 Examples: >
2250 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2251< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2252 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2253< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2254 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002255< Removes all the items, thus clears the List or Dictionary.
2256
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002257 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2258 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2259 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2260
2261 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
2262 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002263 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), '& =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002264
2265< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002266
2267
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002268finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
2269 Find directory {name} in {path}.
2270 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2271 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
2272 {name} in {path}.
2273 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
2274 When the found directory is below the current directory a
2275 relative path is returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
2276 Example: >
2277 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2278< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2279 the file "tags.vim".
2280 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2281
2282findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2283 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
2284
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002285filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2286 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2287 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2288 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2289 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2290
2291fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2292 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2293 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2294 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2295 Example: >
2296 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2297< results in: >
2298 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2299< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2300 |expand()| first then.
2301
2302foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2303 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2304 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2305 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2306
2307foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2308 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2309 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2310 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2311
2312foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2313 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2314 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2315 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2316 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2317 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2318 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2319 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2320 previous line is usually available.
2321
2322 *foldtext()*
2323foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2324 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2325 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2326 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2327 The returned string looks like this: >
2328 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2329< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2330 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2331 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2332 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2333 options is removed.
2334 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2335
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002336foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2337 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2338 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2339 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2340 returned.
2341 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2342 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2343 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2344 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2345
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002346 *foreground()*
2347foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2348 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2349 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2350 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2351 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2352 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2353 Win32 console version}
2354
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002355
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002356function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002357 Return a Funcref variable that refers to function {name}.
2358 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2359
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002360
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002361get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002362 Get item {idx} from List {list}. When this item is not
2363 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2364 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002365get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
2366 Get item with key {key} from Dictionary {dict}. When this
2367 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2368 {default} is omitted.
2369
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002370
2371getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2372 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2373 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2374 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002375 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2376 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2377 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002378 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2379 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2380 returned, there is no error message.
2381 Examples: >
2382 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2383 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2384<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002385getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2386 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2387 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2388 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2389 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2390 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2391 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2392 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2393 not consumed. If a normal character is
2394 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2395 non-zero value is returned.
2396 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2397 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2398 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2399 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2400 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2401 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2402 user that a character has to be typed.
2403 There is no mapping for the character.
2404 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2405 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2406 sequence. Examples: >
2407 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2408 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2409< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2410 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2411 :function FindChar()
2412 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2413 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2414 : normal l
2415 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2416 : break
2417 : endif
2418 : endwhile
2419 :endfunction
2420
2421getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2422 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2423 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2424 These values are added together:
2425 2 shift
2426 4 control
2427 8 alt (meta)
2428 16 mouse double click
2429 32 mouse triple click
2430 64 mouse quadruple click
2431 128 Macintosh only: command
2432 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2433 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2434 with no modifier.
2435
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002436getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2437 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2438 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2439 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2440 Example: >
2441 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
2442< Also see |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
2443
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002444getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002445 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2446 byte count. The first column is 1.
2447 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2448 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
2449 Also see |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2450
2451 *getcwd()*
2452getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2453 working directory.
2454
2455getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2456 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2457 given file {fname}.
2458 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2459 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2460
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002461getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2462 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2463 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2464 |hl-Normal|.
2465 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2466 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2467 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2468 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
2469 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not you your vimrc or
2470 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2471 for a valid name does not work.
2472 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2473 function just after the GUI has started.
2474
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002475getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2476 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2477 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2478 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2479 empty string is returned.
2480 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2481 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2482 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2483 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2484 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2485 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2486< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2487 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002488
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002489getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2490 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2491 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2492 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2493 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2494 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2495
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002496getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2497 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2498 file of the given file {fname}.
2499 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2500 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2501 results:
2502 Normal file "file"
2503 Directory "dir"
2504 Symbolic link "link"
2505 Block device "bdev"
2506 Character device "cdev"
2507 Socket "socket"
2508 FIFO "fifo"
2509 All other "other"
2510 Example: >
2511 getftype("/home")
2512< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2513 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2514 "file" are returned.
2515
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002516 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002517getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2518 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2519 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002520 getline(1)
2521< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2522 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2523 To get the line under the cursor: >
2524 getline(".")
2525< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2526 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2527
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002528 When {end} is given the result is a List where each item is a
2529 line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
2530 including line {end}.
2531 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2532 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
2533 When {end} is before {lnum} an error is given.
2534 Example: >
2535 :let start = line('.')
2536 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2537 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2538
2539
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002540getqflist() *getqflist()*
2541 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2542 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2543 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2544 bufname() to get the name
2545 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2546 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002547 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2548 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002549 nr error number
2550 text description of the error
2551 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2552 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2553
2554 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2555 do something with them: >
2556 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2557 :for d in getqflist()
2558 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2559 :endfor
2560
2561
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002562getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002563 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002564 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002565 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2566< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002567 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002568 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2569 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2570 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002571 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2572
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002573
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002574getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2575 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2576 The value will be one of:
2577 "v" for |characterwise| text
2578 "V" for |linewise| text
2579 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2580 0 for an empty or unknown register
2581 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2582 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2583
2584 *getwinposx()*
2585getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2586 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2587 -1 if the information is not available.
2588
2589 *getwinposy()*
2590getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2591 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2592 information is not available.
2593
2594getwinvar({nr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2595 The result is the value of option or local window variable
2596 {varname} in window {nr}.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002597 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
2598 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
2599 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002600 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2601 Examples: >
2602 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2603 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2604<
2605 *glob()*
2606glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2607 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2608 characters.
2609 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2610 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2611
2612 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2613 any external command. Example: >
2614 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2615 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2616< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2617 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2618
2619 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2620 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2621
2622globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2623 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2624 the results. Example: >
2625 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2626< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2627 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2628 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2629 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2630 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2631 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2632 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2633 error message.
2634 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2635 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2636
2637 *has()*
2638has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2639 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2640 string. See |feature-list| below.
2641 Also see |exists()|.
2642
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002643
2644has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
2645 The result is a Number, which is 1 if Dictionary {dict} has an
2646 entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
2647
2648
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002649hasmapto({what} [, {mode}]) *hasmapto()*
2650 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2651 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2652 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2653 {mode}.
2654 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2655 buffer are checked for a match.
2656 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2657 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2658 n Normal mode
2659 v Visual mode
2660 o Operator-pending mode
2661 i Insert mode
2662 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2663 c Command-line mode
2664 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2665
2666 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2667 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2668 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2669 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2670 :endif
2671< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
2672 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
2673
2674histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
2675 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
2676 one of: *hist-names*
2677 "cmd" or ":" command line history
2678 "search" or "/" search pattern history
2679 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
2680 "input" or "@" input line history
2681 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
2682 shifted to become the newest entry.
2683 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
2684 otherwise 0 is returned.
2685
2686 Example: >
2687 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
2688 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
2689< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2690
2691histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002692 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002693 for the possible values of {history}.
2694
2695 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
2696 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
2697 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
2698 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
2699 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
2700 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
2701 if it exists.
2702
2703 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
2704 otherwise 0 is returned.
2705
2706 Examples:
2707 Clear expression register history: >
2708 :call histdel("expr")
2709<
2710 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
2711 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
2712<
2713 The following three are equivalent: >
2714 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
2715 :call histdel("search", -1)
2716 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
2717<
2718 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
2719 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
2720 :call histdel("search", -1)
2721 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
2722
2723histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
2724 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
2725 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
2726 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
2727 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
2728 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
2729
2730 Examples:
2731 Redo the second last search from history. >
2732 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
2733
2734< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
2735 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
2736 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
2737<
2738histnr({history}) *histnr()*
2739 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
2740 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
2741 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
2742
2743 Example: >
2744 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
2745<
2746hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
2747 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
2748 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
2749 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
2750 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
2751 item.
2752 *highlight_exists()*
2753 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
2754
2755 *hlID()*
2756hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
2757 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
2758 zero is returned.
2759 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
2760 group. For example, to get the background color of the
2761 "Comment" group: >
2762 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
2763< *highlightID()*
2764 Obsolete name: highlightID().
2765
2766hostname() *hostname()*
2767 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002768 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002769 256 characters long are truncated.
2770
2771iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
2772 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
2773 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
2774 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
2775 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
2776 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
2777 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
2778 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
2779 can be done.
2780 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
2781 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
2782 UTF-8 and use: >
2783 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
2784< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
2785 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
2786 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
2787 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
2788
2789 *indent()*
2790indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
2791 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
2792 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
2793 |getline()|.
2794 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
2795
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002796
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002797index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002798 Return the lowest index in List {list} where the item has a
2799 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002800 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
2801 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002802 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
2803 case must match.
2804 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
2805 Example: >
2806 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00002807 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002808
2809
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002810input({prompt} [, {text}]) *input()*
2811 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
2812 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
2813 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
2814 prompt to start a new line. The highlighting set with
2815 |:echohl| is used for the prompt. The input is entered just
2816 like a command-line, with the same editing commands and
2817 mappings. There is a separate history for lines typed for
2818 input().
2819 If the optional {text} is present, this is used for the
2820 default reply, as if the user typed this.
2821 NOTE: This must not be used in a startup file, for the
2822 versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
2823 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
2824 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
2825 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
2826 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
2827 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
2828 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
2829 |:execute| or |:normal|.
2830
2831 Example: >
2832 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
2833 : echo "Cheers!"
2834 :endif
2835< Example with default text: >
2836 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
2837< Example with a mapping: >
2838 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
2839 :function GetFoo()
2840 : call inputsave()
2841 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
2842 : call inputrestore()
2843 :endfunction
2844
2845inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
2846 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
2847 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
2848 Example: >
2849 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
2850 :if n != ""
2851 : let &sw = n
2852 :endif
2853< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
2854 omitted an empty string is returned.
2855 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
2856 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
2857
2858inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
2859 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
2860 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
2861 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
2862 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
2863
2864inputsave() *inputsave()*
2865 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
2866 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
2867 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
2868 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
2869 many inputrestore() calls.
2870 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
2871
2872inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
2873 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
2874 two exceptions:
2875 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
2876 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
2877 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
2878 |history| stack.
2879 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
2880 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
2881
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002882insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
2883 Insert {item} at the start of List {list}.
2884 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
2885 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
2886 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
2887 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002888 Returns the resulting List. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002889 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
2890 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
2891 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002892< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002893 Note that when {item} is a List it is inserted as a single
2894 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
2895
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002896isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
2897 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
2898 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
2899 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
2900 is any expression, which is used as a String.
2901
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00002902islocked({expr}) *islocked()*
2903 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
2904 name of a locked variable.
2905 {expr} must be the name of a variable, List item or Dictionary
2906 entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
2907 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
2908 :lockvar 1 alist
2909 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
2910 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
2911
2912< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
2913 message. Use |exists()| to check for existance.
2914
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002915items({dict}) *items()*
2916 Return a List with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
2917 List item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict} entry
2918 and the value of this entry. The List is in arbitrary order.
2919
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002920
2921join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
2922 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
2923 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
2924 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
2925 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
2926 add it there too: >
2927 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
2928< String items are used as-is. Lists and Dictionaries are
2929 converted into a string like with |string()|.
2930 The opposite function is |split()|.
2931
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002932keys({dict}) *keys()*
2933 Return a List with all the keys of {dict}. The List is in
2934 arbitrary order.
2935
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002936 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002937len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
2938 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
2939 used, as with |strlen()|.
2940 When {expr} is a List the number of items in the List is
2941 returned.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002942 When {expr} is a Dictionary the number of entries in the
2943 Dictionary is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002944 Otherwise an error is given.
2945
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002946 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
2947libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
2948 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
2949 with single argument {argument}.
2950 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
2951 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
2952 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
2953 limited.
2954 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
2955 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
2956 to Vim.
2957 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
2958 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
2959 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
2960 null-terminated string.
2961 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
2962
2963 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
2964 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
2965 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
2966 very probably crash.
2967
2968 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
2969 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
2970 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
2971 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
2972 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
2973 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
2974 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
2975 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
2976 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
2977 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
2978
2979 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
2980 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
2981 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
2982 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
2983 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
2984 the DLL is not in the usual places.
2985 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
2986 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
2987 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
2988 feature is present}
2989 Examples: >
2990 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
2991 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
2992<
2993 *libcallnr()*
2994libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
2995 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
2996 int instead of a string.
2997 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
2998 feature is present}
2999 Example (not very useful...): >
3000 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3001 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3002<
3003 *line()*
3004line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3005 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3006 . the cursor position
3007 $ the last line in the current buffer
3008 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3009 returned)
3010 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
3011 Examples: >
3012 line(".") line number of the cursor
3013 line("'t") line number of mark t
3014 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3015< *last-position-jump*
3016 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3017 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3018 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003019
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003020line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3021 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3022 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3023 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3024 line returns 1.
3025 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3026 below the last line: >
3027 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3028< This is the file size plus one.
3029 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3030 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3031 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3032
3033lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3034 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3035 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3036 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3037 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3038 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3039 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3040
3041localtime() *localtime()*
3042 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3043 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3044
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003045
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003046map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
3047 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
3048 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3049 {string}.
3050 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
3051 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
3052 Example: >
3053 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003054< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003055
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003056 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003057 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003058 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3059 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003060
3061 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
3062 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003063 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003064
3065< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003066
3067
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003068maparg({name}[, {mode}]) *maparg()*
3069 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3070 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
3071 These characters can be used for {mode}:
3072 "n" Normal
3073 "v" Visual
3074 "o" Operator-pending
3075 "i" Insert
3076 "c" Cmd-line
3077 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3078 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
3079 When {mode} is omitted, the modes from "" are used.
3080 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3081 command. The returned String has special characters
3082 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3083 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3084 then the global mappings.
3085
3086mapcheck({name}[, {mode}]) *mapcheck()*
3087 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3088 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3089 {name}.
3090 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3091 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3092
3093 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3094 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3095 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3096 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3097 mapcheck("b") no no no
3098
3099 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3100 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3101 mapping for {name} exactly.
3102 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3103 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3104 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3105 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3106 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3107 then the global mappings.
3108 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3109 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3110 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3111 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3112 :endif
3113< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3114 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3115
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003116match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003117 When {expr} is a List then this returns the index of the first
3118 item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a String,
3119 Lists and Dictionaries are used as echoed.
3120 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3121 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3122 {pat} matches.
3123 A match at the first character or List item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003124 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3125 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003126 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
3127 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 2
3128< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003129 *strpbrk()*
3130 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3131 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3132< *strcasestr()*
3133 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3134 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3135 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3136<
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003137 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003138 is found in a String the search for the next one starts on
3139 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003140 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003141< In a List the search continues in the next item.
3142
3143 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
3144 {start} in a String or item {start} in a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003145 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003146 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003147 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3148< result is again "4". >
3149 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3150< result is again "4". >
3151 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3152< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003153 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3154 the index is counted from the end.
3155 If {start} is out of range (> strlen({expr} for a String or
3156 > len({expr} for a List) -1 is returned.
3157
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003158 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3159 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3160 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3161 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3162
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003163matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003164 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3165 the match. Example: >
3166 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3167< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003168 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3169 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3170 do it with matchend(): >
3171 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3172 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3173< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3174
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003175 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3176 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3177< results in "7". >
3178 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3179< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003180 When {expr} is a List the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003181
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003182matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
3183 Same as match(), but return a List. The first item in the
3184 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3185 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
3186 in |:substitute|.
3187 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3188
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003189matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003190 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3191 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3192< results in "ing".
3193 When there is no match "" is returned.
3194 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3195 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3196< results in "ing". >
3197 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3198< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003199 When {expr} is a List then the matching item is returned.
3200 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003201
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003202 *max()*
3203max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3204 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3205 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3206 An empty List results in zero.
3207
3208 *min()*
3209min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3210 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3211 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3212 An empty List results in zero.
3213
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003214 *mkdir()* *E749*
3215mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3216 Create directory {name}.
3217 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3218 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3219 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3220 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3221 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3222 for others.
3223 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3224 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3225 :if exists("*mkdir")
3226<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003227 *mode()*
3228mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3229 n Normal
3230 v Visual by character
3231 V Visual by line
3232 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3233 s Select by character
3234 S Select by line
3235 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3236 i Insert
3237 R Replace
3238 c Command-line
3239 r Hit-enter prompt
3240 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3241 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3242
3243nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3244 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3245 that is not blank. Example: >
3246 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3247< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3248 below it, zero is returned.
3249 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3250
3251nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3252 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3253 value {expr}. Examples: >
3254 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3255 nr2char(32) returns " "
3256< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3257 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3258< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3259 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3260 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003261 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003262
3263prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3264 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3265 that is not blank. Example: >
3266 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3267< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3268 above it, zero is returned.
3269 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3270
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003271 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003272range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
3273 Returns a List with Numbers:
3274 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3275 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3276 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3277 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3278 producing a value past {max}).
3279 Examples: >
3280 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
3281 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3282 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
3283 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
3284<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003285 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003286readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003287 Read file {fname} and return a List, each line of the file as
3288 an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
3289 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3290 NL appears somewhere).
3291 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3292 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3293 added.
3294 - No CR characters are removed.
3295 Otherwise:
3296 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3297 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3298 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003299 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
3300 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
3301 lines of a file: >
3302 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
3303 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
3304 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003305< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
3306 are returned, or as many as there are.
3307 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003308 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
3309 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
3310 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003311 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3312 the result is an empty list.
3313 Also see |writefile()|.
3314
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003315 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3316remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3317 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3318 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
3319 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3320 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3321 remote_read() is stored there.
3322 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3323 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3324 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3325 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3326 and the result will be the empty string.
3327 Examples: >
3328 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3329 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3330<
3331
3332remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3333 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3334 This works like: >
3335 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3336< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3337 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3338 to bring itself to the foreground.
3339 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3340 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3341 Win32 console version}
3342
3343
3344remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3345 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3346 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3347 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3348 name of a variable.
3349 Returns zero if none are available.
3350 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3351 See also |clientserver|.
3352 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3353 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3354 Examples: >
3355 :let repl = ""
3356 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3357
3358remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3359 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3360 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3361 See also |clientserver|.
3362 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3363 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3364 Example: >
3365 :echo remote_read(id)
3366<
3367 *remote_send()* *E241*
3368remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003369 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3370 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3371 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003372 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3373 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3374 remote_read() is stored there.
3375 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3376 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3377 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3378 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3379 up the display.
3380 Examples: >
3381 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3382 \ remote_read(serverid)
3383
3384 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3385 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3386 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3387 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003388<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003389remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
3390 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from List {list} and
3391 return it.
3392 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3393 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3394 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3395 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3396 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003397 Example: >
3398 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003399 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003400remove({dict}, {key})
3401 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3402 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3403< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3404
3405 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003406
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003407rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3408 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3409 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3410 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3411 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
3412 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3413
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003414repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
3415 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
3416 result. Example: >
3417 :let seperator = repeat('-', 80)
3418< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003419 When {expr} is a List the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003420 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003421 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
3422< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003423
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003424
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003425resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
3426 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
3427 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
3428 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
3429 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
3430 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
3431 stopped after 100 iterations.
3432 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
3433 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
3434 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
3435 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
3436 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
3437
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003438 *reverse()*
3439reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
3440 {list}.
3441 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3442 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
3443
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003444search({pattern} [, {flags}]) *search()*
3445 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003446 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003447 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
3448 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003449 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003450 'w' wrap around the end of the file
3451 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
3452 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
3453
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003454 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
3455 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
3456 flag is used).
3457 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
3458 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003459
3460 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
3461 :let n = 1
3462 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
3463 : exe "argument " . n
3464 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
3465 : " first search to find match at start of file
3466 : normal G$
3467 : let flags = "w"
3468 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
3469 : s/foo/bar/g
3470 : let flags = "W"
3471 : endwhile
3472 : update " write the file if modified
3473 : let n = n + 1
3474 :endwhile
3475<
3476 *searchpair()*
3477searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
3478 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
3479 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
3480 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
3481 The search starts at the cursor. If a match is found, the
3482 cursor is positioned at it and the line number is returned.
3483 If no match is found 0 or -1 is returned and the cursor
3484 doesn't move. No error message is given.
3485
3486 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
3487 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
3488 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
3489 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
3490 typical use is: >
3491 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
3492< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
3493
3494 {flags} are used like with |search()|. Additionally:
3495 'n' do Not move the cursor
3496 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
3497 outer pair
3498 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
3499 the match; will only be > 1 when 'r' is used.
3500
3501 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
3502 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
3503 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
3504 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
3505 or a string.
3506 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
3507 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
3508 and -1 returned.
3509
3510 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
3511 patterns are used like it's on.
3512
3513 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
3514 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
3515 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
3516 if 1
3517 if 2
3518 endif 2
3519 endif 1
3520< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
3521 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
3522 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
3523 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
3524 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
3525 "endif 2".
3526 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
3527 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
3528 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
3529 the matching start.
3530
3531 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
3532
3533 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
3534 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
3535
3536< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
3537 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
3538 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
3539 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
3540 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
3541 match.
3542 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
3543
3544 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
3545
3546< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
3547 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
3548 highlighting recognized as strings: >
3549
3550 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
3551 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
3552<
3553server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
3554 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
3555 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
3556 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3557 Note:
3558 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003559 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003560 before calling any commands that waits for input.
3561 See also |clientserver|.
3562 Example: >
3563 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
3564<
3565serverlist() *serverlist()*
3566 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
3567 When there are no servers or the information is not available
3568 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
3569 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3570 Example: >
3571 :echo serverlist()
3572<
3573setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
3574 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
3575 {val}.
3576 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
3577 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
3578 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
3579 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3580 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
3581 Examples: >
3582 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
3583 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
3584< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3585
3586setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
3587 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
3588 {pos}. The first position is 1.
3589 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
3590 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003591 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
3592 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
3593 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
3594 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
3595 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003596 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
3597 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
3598 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
3599 line.
3600
3601setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003602 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
3603 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003604 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
3605 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003606 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
3607 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003608 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003609< When {line} is a List then line {lnum} and following lines
3610 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
3611 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
3612< This is equivalent to: >
3613 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
3614 : call setline(n, l)
3615 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003616< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
3617
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003618
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00003619setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003620 Creates a quickfix list using the items in {list}. Each item
3621 in {list} is a dictionary. Non-dictionary items in {list} are
3622 ignored. Each dictionary item can contain the following
3623 entries:
3624
3625 filename name of a file
3626 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003627 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003628 col column number
3629 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
3630 when zero: "col" is byte index
3631 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003632 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003633 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003634
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003635 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
3636 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
3637 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003638 If the "filename" entry is not present or neither the "lnum"
3639 or "pattern" entries are present, then the item will not be
3640 handled as an error line.
3641 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
3642 be used.
3643
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00003644 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
3645 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
3646 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
3647 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
3648 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
3649 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
3650
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003651 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
3652
3653 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
3654 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
3655 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
3656
3657
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003658 *setreg()*
3659setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
3660 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
3661 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
3662 then the value is appended.
3663 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
3664 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
3665 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
3666 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
3667 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
3668 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
3669 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
3670 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
3671
3672 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
3673 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
3674 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
3675 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
3676
3677 Examples: >
3678 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
3679 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
3680 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
3681
3682< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
3683 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003684 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003685 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
3686 ....
3687 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
3688
3689< You can also change the type of a register by appending
3690 nothing: >
3691 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
3692
3693setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
3694 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
3695 {val}.
3696 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
3697 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
3698 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
3699 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
3700 Examples: >
3701 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
3702 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
3703< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3704
3705simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
3706 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
3707 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
3708 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
3709 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
3710 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
3711 not removed either.
3712 Example: >
3713 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
3714< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
3715 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
3716 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
3717 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
3718 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
3719
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003720
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003721sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003722 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
3723 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3724 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
3725< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003726 Numbers sort after Strings, Lists after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003727 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003728 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
3729 When {func} is a Funcref or a function name, this function is
3730 called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
3731 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
3732 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
3733 sorts before the second one. Example: >
3734 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
3735 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
3736 endfunc
3737 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
3738
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003739split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
3740 Make a List out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or empty
3741 each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003742 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003743 removing the matched characters.
3744 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
3745 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00003746 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
3747 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003748 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003749 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003750< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003751 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00003752< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
3753 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
3754< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003755 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
3756 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
3757< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003758
3759
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003760strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
3761 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
3762 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
3763 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
3764 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
3765 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
3766 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
3767 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
3768 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
3769 Examples: >
3770 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
3771 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
3772 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
3773 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
3774 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
3775 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003776< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3777 :if exists("*strftime")
3778
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003779stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
3780 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
3781 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003782 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
3783 This can be used to find a second match: >
3784 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
3785 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
3786< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003787 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003788 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003789 See also |strridx()|.
3790 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003791 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
3792 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
3793 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003794< *strstr()* *strchr()*
3795 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
3796 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
3797
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003798 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003799string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
3800 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
3801 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003802 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003803 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003804 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003805 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003806 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003807 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003808
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003809 *strlen()*
3810strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
3811 {expr} in bytes. If you want to count the number of
3812 multi-byte characters use something like this: >
3813
3814 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
3815
3816< Composing characters are not counted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003817 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
3818 For other types an error is given.
3819 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003820
3821strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
3822 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
3823 byte {start}, with the length {len}.
3824 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
3825 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
3826 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
3827 end of the {src}. >
3828 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
3829 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
3830 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
3831 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
3832< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
3833 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
3834 strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3)
3835<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003836strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
3837 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
3838 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
3839 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
3840 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
3841 match: >
3842 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
3843 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
3844< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003845 For pattern searches use |match()|.
3846 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003847 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003848 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003849 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003850< *strrchr()*
3851 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
3852 function strrchr().
3853
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003854strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
3855 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
3856 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
3857 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
3858 echo strtrans(@a)
3859< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
3860 starting a new line.
3861
3862submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
3863 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
3864 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
3865 the whole matched text is returned.
3866 Example: >
3867 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
3868< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
3869 A line break is included as a newline character.
3870
3871substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
3872 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
3873 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
3874 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
3875 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
3876 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
3877 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
3878 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
3879 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
3880 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
3881 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
3882 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
3883 unmodified.
3884 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
3885 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
3886 Example: >
3887 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
3888< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
3889 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
3890< results in "TESTING".
3891
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003892synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003893 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003894 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003895 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
3896 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003897 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003898 line.
3899 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
3900 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
3901 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
3902 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
3903 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
3904 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
3905 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
3906
3907 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
3908 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
3909<
3910synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
3911 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
3912 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
3913 about a syntax item.
3914 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
3915 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
3916 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
3917 used (GUI, cterm or term).
3918 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
3919 {what} result
3920 "name" the name of the syntax item
3921 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
3922 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
3923 term: empty string)
3924 "bg" background color (like "fg")
3925 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
3926 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
3927 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
3928 "bold" "1" if bold
3929 "italic" "1" if italic
3930 "reverse" "1" if reverse
3931 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
3932 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003933 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003934
3935 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
3936 cursor): >
3937 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
3938<
3939synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
3940 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
3941 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
3942 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
3943 ":highlight link" are followed.
3944
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00003945system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
3946 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
3947 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
3948 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
3949 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003950 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00003951 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
3952 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
3953 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003954 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
3955 The result is a String. Example: >
3956
3957 :let files = system("ls")
3958
3959< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
3960 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
3961 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
3962 The command executed is constructed using several options:
3963 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
3964 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
3965 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
3966 concatenated commands.
3967
3968 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
3969 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3970 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
3971 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
3972
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003973
3974taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
3975 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
3976 Each list item is a dictionary with the following entries:
3977 name name of the tag.
3978 filename name of the file where the tag is
3979 defined.
3980 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
3981 the file.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003982 kind type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003983 entry depends on the language specific
3984 kind values generated by the ctags
3985 tool.
3986 static a file specific tag. Refer to
3987 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00003988 The "kind" entry is only available when using Exuberant ctags
3989 generated tags file. More entries may be present, depending
3990 on the content of the tags file: access, implementation,
3991 inherits and signature. Refer to the ctags documentation for
3992 information about these fields. For C code the fields
3993 "struct", "class" and "enum" may appear, they give the name of
3994 the entity the tag is contained in.
3995
3996 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
3997 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003998
3999 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
4000
4001 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
4002 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
4003 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
4004
4005 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
4006 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
4007 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
4008
4009
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004010tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
4011 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
4012 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
4013 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
4014 :let tmpfile = tempname()
4015 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
4016< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
4017 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
4018 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
4019 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
4020 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
4021 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
4022
4023tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
4024 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
4025 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
4026 the string).
4027
4028toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
4029 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
4030 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
4031 the string).
4032
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00004033tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
4034 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
4035 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
4036 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
4037 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
4038 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
4039 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
4040
4041 Examples: >
4042 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
4043< returns "Hello THere" >
4044 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
4045< returns "{blob}"
4046
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004047 *type()*
4048type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004049 Number: 0
4050 String: 1
4051 Funcref: 2
4052 List: 3
4053 Dictionary: 4
4054 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004055 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
4056 :if type(myvar) == type("")
4057 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
4058 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004059 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004060
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004061values({dict}) *values()*
4062 Return a List with all the values of {dict}. The List is in
4063 arbitrary order.
4064
4065
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004066virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
4067 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
4068 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
4069 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
4070 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
4071 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
4072 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
4073 set to 8, it returns 8.
4074 For the byte position use |col()|.
4075 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
4076 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
4077 The accepted positions are:
4078 . the cursor position
4079 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
4080 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
4081 plus one)
4082 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
4083 returned)
4084 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
4085 Examples: >
4086 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
4087 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
4088 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
4089< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
4090
4091visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
4092 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
4093 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
4094 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
4095 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
4096 block-wise Visual mode respectively.
4097 Example: >
4098 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
4099< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
4100 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
4101 Visual mode that was used.
4102
4103 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
4104 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
4105 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
4106 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
4107
4108 *winbufnr()*
4109winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004110 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004111 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
4112 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4113 Example: >
4114 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
4115<
4116 *wincol()*
4117wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
4118 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
4119 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
4120
4121winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
4122 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
4123 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
4124 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4125 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
4126 Examples: >
4127 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
4128<
4129 *winline()*
4130winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
4131 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
4132 the window. The first line is one.
4133
4134 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004135winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4136 window. The top window has number 1.
4137 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
4138 last window is returnd (the window count).
4139 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
4140 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
4141 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
4142 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
4143 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004144
4145 *winrestcmd()*
4146winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
4147 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
4148 are opened or closed and the current window is unchanged.
4149 Example: >
4150 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
4151 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
4152 :exe cmd
4153
4154winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
4155 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
4156 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
4157 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4158 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
4159 Examples: >
4160 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
4161 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
4162 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
4163 :endif
4164<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004165 *writefile()*
4166writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
4167 Write List {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
4168 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
4169 Number.
4170 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
4171 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
4172 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
4173 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
4174 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
4175 to writefile().
4176 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
4177 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
4178 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
4179 fails.
4180 Also see |readfile()|.
4181 To copy a file byte for byte: >
4182 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
4183 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
4184<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004185
4186 *feature-list*
4187There are three types of features:
41881. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
4189 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
4190 :if has("cindent")
41912. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
4192 Example: >
4193 :if has("gui_running")
4194< *has-patch*
41953. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
4196 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
4197 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
4198 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
4199
4200all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
4201amiga Amiga version of Vim.
4202arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
4203arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
4204autocmd Compiled with autocommands support.
4205balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
4206beos BeOS version of Vim.
4207browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
4208 work.
4209builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
4210byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
4211cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
4212clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
4213clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
4214cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
4215cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
4216cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
4217comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
4218cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
4219cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
4220compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
4221debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
4222dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
4223dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
4224diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
4225digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
4226dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
4227dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
4228dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
4229ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
4230emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
4231eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
4232 true, of course!
4233ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
4234extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
4235 |'hlsearch'|
4236farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
4237file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004238filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
4239 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004240find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
4241 |+find_in_path|.
4242fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
4243 Windows this is not present).
4244folding Compiled with |folding| support.
4245footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
4246fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
4247gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
4248gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
4249gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004250gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
4251gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00004252gui_kde Compiled with KDE GUI |KVim|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004253gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
4254gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
4255gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
4256gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
4257gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
4258gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
4259hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
4260iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
4261insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
4262 Insert mode.
4263jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
4264keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
4265langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
4266libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
4267linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
4268 support.
4269lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
4270listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
4271 and the argument list |arglist|.
4272localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
4273mac Macintosh version of Vim.
4274macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
4275menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
4276mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
4277modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
4278mouse Compiled with support mouse.
4279mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
4280mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
4281mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
4282mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
4283mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
4284mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
4285multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
4286multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
4287multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00004288mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004289netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00004290netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004291ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
4292os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
4293osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
4294path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
4295perl Compiled with Perl interface.
4296postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
4297printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004298profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004299python Compiled with Python interface.
4300qnx QNX version of Vim.
4301quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
4302rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
4303ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
4304scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
4305showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
4306signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
4307smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00004308sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004309statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
4310 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
4311sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
4312syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support.
4313syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
4314 current buffer.
4315system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
4316tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
4317 |tag-binary-search|.
4318tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
4319 |tag-old-static|.
4320tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
4321 files |tag-any-white|.
4322tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
4323terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
4324termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
4325textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
4326tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
4327 or terminfo file.
4328title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
4329toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
4330unix Unix version of Vim.
4331user_commands User-defined commands.
4332viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
4333vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
4334vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
4335virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
4336visual Compiled with Visual mode.
4337visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
4338 |blockwise-operators|.
4339vms VMS version of Vim.
4340vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
4341wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
4342wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
4343windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
4344winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
4345win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
4346win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
4347win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
4348win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
4349win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
4350writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
4351xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
4352xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
4353xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
4354xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
4355xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
4356xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
4357 xterm screen.
4358x11 Compiled with X11 support.
4359
4360 *string-match*
4361Matching a pattern in a String
4362
4363A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
4364the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
4365everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
4366like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
4367line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
4368with ".". Example: >
4369 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
4370 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
4371 aa
4372 xx
4373 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
4374 a
4375 x
4376
4377Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
4378"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
4379"\n".
4380
4381==============================================================================
43825. Defining functions *user-functions*
4383
4384New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
4385functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
4386commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
4387
4388The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
4389builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
4390avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
4391the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
4392
4393It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|.
4394
4395 *local-function*
4396A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
4397can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
4398and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
4399function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
4400instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
4401
4402 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
4403:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
4404
4405:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004406 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4407 Funcref: >
4408 :function dict.init
4409< *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004410:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004411 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
4412 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
4413 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004414
4415 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4416 Funcref: >
4417 :function dict.init(arg)
4418< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
4419 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
4420 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
4421 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
4422 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
4423 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004424 *E127* *E122*
4425 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
4426 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
4427 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
4428 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004429
4430 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
4431
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004432 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
4433 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
4434 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
4435 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
4436 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
4437 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
4438 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004439
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004440 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
4441 abort as soon as an error is detected.
4442 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
4443 will not be changed by the function.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004444
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004445 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
4446 be invoked through an entry in a Dictionary. The
4447 local variable "self" will then be set to the
4448 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004449
4450 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
4451:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
4452 by its own, without other commands.
4453
4454 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
4455:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004456 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4457 Funcref: >
4458 :delfunc dict.init
4459< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
4460 function is deleted if there are no more references to
4461 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004462 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
4463:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
4464 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
4465 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
4466 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
4467 the number 0 is returned.
4468 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
4469 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
4470
4471 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
4472 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
4473 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
4474 are executed first. This process applies to all
4475 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
4476 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
4477
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004478 *function-argument* *a:var*
4479An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
4480be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
4481 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
4482Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
4483arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
4484may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
4485as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004486can be 0). "a:000" is set to a List that contains these arguments. Note that
4487"a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
4488 *E742*
4489The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
4490However, if a List or Dictionary is used, you can changes their contents.
4491Thus you can pass a List to a function and have the function add an item to
4492it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a List or Dictionary
4493use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004494
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004495When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
4496to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
4497may be larger.
4498
4499It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
4500still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
4501until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
4502inside a function body.
4503
4504 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004505Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
4506will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
4507accessed with "g:".
4508
4509Example: >
4510 :function Table(title, ...)
4511 : echohl Title
4512 : echo a:title
4513 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004514 : echo a:0 . " items:"
4515 : for s in a:000
4516 : echon ' ' . s
4517 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004518 :endfunction
4519
4520This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004521 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
4522 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004523
4524To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
4525 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
4526 : if a:n2 == 0
4527 : return "fail"
4528 : endif
4529 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
4530 : return "ok"
4531 :endfunction
4532
4533This function can then be called with: >
4534 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
4535 :if success == "ok"
4536 : echo div
4537 :endif
4538
4539An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
4540with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
4541 :function Foo()
4542 : execute Bar()
4543 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
4544 :endfunction
4545
4546 :function Bar()
4547 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
4548 :endfunction
4549
4550The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
4551the caller to set the names.
4552
4553 *:cal* *:call* *E107*
4554:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
4555 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
4556 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
4557 used.
4558 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
4559 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
4560 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
4561 function.
4562 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
4563 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
4564 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
4565 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
4566 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
4567 this works:
4568 *function-range-example* >
4569 :function Mynumber(arg)
4570 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
4571 :endfunction
4572 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
4573<
4574 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
4575 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
4576 the range.
4577
4578 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
4579
4580 :function Cont() range
4581 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
4582 :endfunction
4583 :4,8call Cont()
4584<
4585 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
4586 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
4587
4588 *E132*
4589The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
4590option.
4591
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004592
4593AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004594 *autoload-functions*
4595When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004596only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
4597the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
4598
4599
4600Using an autocommand ~
4601
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004602This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
4603
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004604The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
4605You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
4606That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
4607again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
4608
4609Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
4610function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004611
4612 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
4613
4614The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
4615"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
4616
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004617
4618Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004619 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004620This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
4621
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004622Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
4623exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
4624like this: >
4625
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004626 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004627
4628When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
4629"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
4630"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
4631then define the function like this: >
4632
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004633 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004634 echo "Done!"
4635 endfunction
4636
4637The file name and the name used before the colon in the function must match
4638exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
4639called.
4640
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004641It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
4642a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004643
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004644 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004645
4646Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
4647
4648The name before the first colon must be at least two characters long,
4649otherwise it looks like a scope, such as "s:".
4650
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004651This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
4652
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004653 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004654
4655When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
4656be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
4657
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004658 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
4659 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004660
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00004661Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
4662defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
4663function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004664And you will get an error message every time.
4665
4666Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
4667other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
4668Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004669
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004670==============================================================================
46716. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
4672
4673Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
4674This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
4675{} like this: >
4676 my_{adjective}_variable
4677
4678When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
4679that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
4680name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
4681"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
4682"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
4683
4684One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
4685value. For example, the statement >
4686 echo my_{&background}_message
4687
4688would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
4689on the current value of 'background'.
4690
4691You can use multiple brace pairs: >
4692 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
4693..or even nest them: >
4694 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
4695where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
4696
4697However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004698variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004699 :let foo='a + b'
4700 :echo c{foo}d
4701.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
4702
4703 *curly-braces-function-names*
4704You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
4705Example: >
4706 :let func_end='whizz'
4707 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
4708
4709This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
4710
4711==============================================================================
47127. Commands *expression-commands*
4713
4714:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
4715 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
4716 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
4717 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
4718 is created.
4719
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004720:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
4721 Set a list item to the result of the expression
4722 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
4723 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
4724 the index can be repeated.
4725 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
4726
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004727 *E711* *E719*
4728:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004729 Set a sequence of items in a List to the result of the
4730 expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
4731 correct number of items.
4732 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
4733 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
4734 When the selected range of items is partly past the
4735 end of the list, items will be added.
4736
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004737 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004738:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
4739:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
4740:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
4741 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
4742 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
4743
4744
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004745:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
4746 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
4747 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004748:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
4749 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
4750 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
4751 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004752
4753:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
4754 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
4755 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
4756 must be the name of a writable register (see
4757 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
4758 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
4759 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
4760 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
4761 characterwise.
4762 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
4763 :let @/ = ""
4764< This is different from searching for an empty string,
4765 that would match everywhere.
4766
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004767:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
4768 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
4769 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
4770
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004771:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
4772 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004773 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
4774 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004775 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
4776 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
4777 value and the global value is changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004778 Example: >
4779 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004780
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004781:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
4782 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
4783 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
4784
4785:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
4786:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
4787 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
4788 {expr1}.
4789
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004790:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004791:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
4792:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
4793:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004794 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
4795 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
4796
4797:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004798:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
4799:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
4800:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004801 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
4802 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
4803
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004804:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004805 {expr1} must evaluate to a List. The first item in
4806 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
4807 {name2}, etc.
4808 The number of names must match the number of items in
4809 the List.
4810 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
4811 command as mentioned above.
4812 Example: >
4813 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004814< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
4815 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
4816 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
4817 :let x = [0, 1]
4818 :let i = 0
4819 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
4820 :echo x
4821< The result is [0, 2].
4822
4823:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
4824:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
4825:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
4826 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
4827 List item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004828
4829:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004830 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the List may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004831 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
4832 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
4833 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004834 Example: >
4835 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
4836<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004837:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
4838:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
4839:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
4840 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
4841 List item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004842 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004843:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00004844 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
4845 here: *E738*
4846 g: global variables.
4847 b: local buffer variables.
4848 w: local window variables.
4849 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004850
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004851:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
4852 variable is indicated before the value:
4853 <nothing> String
4854 # Number
4855 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004856
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004857
4858:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
4859 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
4860 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
4861 may also be a List or Dictionary item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004862 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
4863 variables.
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00004864 One or more items from a List can be removed: >
4865 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
4866 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
4867< One item from a Dictionary can be removed at a time: >
4868 :unlet dict['two']
4869 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004870
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004871:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
4872 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
4873 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
4874 A locked variable can be deleted: >
4875 :lockvar v
4876 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
4877 :unlet v
4878< *E741*
4879 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
4880 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
4881
4882 [depth] is relevant when locking a List or Dictionary.
4883 It specifies how deep the locking goes:
4884 1 Lock the List or Dictionary itself,
4885 cannot add or remove items, but can
4886 still change their values.
4887 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
4888 the items. If an item is a List or
4889 Dictionary, cannot add or remove
4890 items, but can still change the
4891 values.
4892 3 Like 2 but for the List/Dictionary in
4893 the List/Dictionary, one level deeper.
4894 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a List
4895 or Dictionary the values cannot be changed.
4896 *E743*
4897 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
4898 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
4899 loops.
4900
4901 Note that when two variables refer to the same List
4902 and you lock one of them, the List will also be locked
4903 when used through the other variable. Example: >
4904 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
4905 :let cl = l
4906 :lockvar l
4907 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
4908< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
4909 See |deepcopy()|.
4910
4911
4912:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
4913 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
4914 opposite of |:lockvar|.
4915
4916
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004917:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
4918:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
4919 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
4920
4921 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
4922 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
4923 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
4924 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
4925 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
4926 part was not executed either.
4927
4928 You can use this to remain compatible with older
4929 versions: >
4930 :if version >= 500
4931 : version-5-specific-commands
4932 :endif
4933< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
4934 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
4935 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
4936 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
4937 avoid problems: >
4938 :if version >= 600
4939 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
4940 :endif
4941<
4942 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
4943 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
4944
4945 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
4946:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
4947 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
4948 executed.
4949
4950 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
4951:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
4952 is no extra ":endif".
4953
4954:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004955 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004956:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
4957 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
4958 When an error is detected from a command inside the
4959 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004960 Example: >
4961 :let lnum = 1
4962 :while lnum <= line("$")
4963 :call FixLine(lnum)
4964 :let lnum = lnum + 1
4965 :endwhile
4966<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004967 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004968 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004969
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004970:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004971:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
4972 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004973 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004974 value of each item.
4975 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004976 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004977 Changing {list} affects what items are used. Make a
4978 copy if this is unwanted: >
4979 :for item in copy(mylist)
4980< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
4981 next item in the list, before executing the commands
4982 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
4983 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
4984 it will not be found. Thus the following example
4985 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
4986 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004987 :call remove(mylist, 0)
4988 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004989< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
4990 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
4991 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004992 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
4993 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
4994 to allow multiple item types.
4995
4996:for {var} in {string}
4997:endfo[r] Like ":for" above, but use each character in {string}
4998 as a list item.
4999 Composing characters are used as separate characters.
5000 A Number is first converted to a String.
5001
5002:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
5003:endfo[r]
5004 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
5005 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
5006 {var2}, etc. Example: >
5007 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
5008 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
5009 :endfor
5010<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005011 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005012:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
5013 to the start of the loop.
5014 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5015 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5016 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5017 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5018 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5019 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005020
5021 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005022:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
5023 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
5024 ":endfor".
5025 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5026 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5027 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5028 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5029 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5030 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005031
5032:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
5033:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
5034 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
5035 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
5036 or autocommand invocations.
5037
5038 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
5039 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
5040 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
5041 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
5042 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
5043 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
5044 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
5045 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
5046 Example: >
5047 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
5048 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
5049<
5050 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
5051 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
5052 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
5053 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
5054 processing is not terminated.
5055
5056 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
5057 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
5058 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
5059 other errors are converted to a value of the form
5060 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
5061 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
5062 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
5063 the error number.
5064 Examples: >
5065 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
5066 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
5067<
5068 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
5069:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
5070 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
5071 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
5072 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
5073 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
5074 commands are skipped.
5075 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
5076 Examples: >
5077 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
5078 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
5079 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
5080 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
5081 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
5082 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
5083 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
5084 :catch " same as /.*/
5085<
5086 Another character can be used instead of / around the
5087 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
5088 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
5089 {pattern}.
5090 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
5091 an error message because it may vary in different
5092 locales.
5093
5094 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
5095:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
5096 are executed whenever the part between the matching
5097 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
5098 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
5099 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
5100 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
5101
5102 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
5103:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
5104 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
5105 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
5106 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
5107 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
5108 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
5109 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
5110 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
5111 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
5112 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
5113 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
5114 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
5115 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
5116 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
5117 is terminated.
5118 Example: >
5119 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
5120<
5121
5122 *:ec* *:echo*
5123:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
5124 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
5125 Also see |:comment|.
5126 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
5127 cursor to the first column.
5128 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5129 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5130 Example: >
5131 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
5132< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
5133 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
5134 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
5135 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
5136 command. Example: >
5137 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
5138<
5139 *:echon*
5140:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
5141 |:comment|.
5142 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5143 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5144 Example: >
5145 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
5146<
5147 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
5148 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
5149 command: >
5150 :!echo % --> filename
5151< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
5152 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
5153< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
5154 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
5155 :echo % --> nothing
5156< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
5157 :echo "%" --> %
5158< This just echoes the '%' character. >
5159 :echo expand("%") --> filename
5160< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
5161
5162 *:echoh* *:echohl*
5163:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
5164 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
5165 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
5166 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
5167< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
5168 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
5169
5170 *:echom* *:echomsg*
5171:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
5172 message in the |message-history|.
5173 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5174 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
5175 displayed, not interpreted.
5176 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5177 Example: >
5178 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
5179<
5180 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
5181:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
5182 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
5183 script or function the line number will be added.
5184 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5185 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
5186 the message is raised as an error exception instead
5187 (see |try-echoerr|).
5188 Example: >
5189 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
5190< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
5191 And to get a beep: >
5192 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
5193<
5194 *:exe* *:execute*
5195:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
5196 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
5197 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
5198 used as the processed command, command line editing
5199 keys are not recognized.
5200 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5201 Examples: >
5202 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
5203 :execute "normal " count . "w"
5204<
5205 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
5206 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
5207 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
5208
5209< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
5210 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
5211 command: >
5212 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
5213< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
5214
5215 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005216 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
5217 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005218 :execute 'while i > 5'
5219 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
5220<
5221 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
5222 completely in the executed string: >
5223 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
5224<
5225
5226 *:comment*
5227 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
5228 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
5229 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
5230 comment. Example: >
5231 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
5232
5233==============================================================================
52348. Exception handling *exception-handling*
5235
5236The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
5237explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
5238
5239Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
5240|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
5241exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
5242
5243
5244TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
5245
5246Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
5247use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
5248a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
5249 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
5250|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
5251a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
5252be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
5253which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
5254clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
5255
5256 :try
5257 : ...
5258 : ... TRY BLOCK
5259 : ...
5260 :catch /{pattern}/
5261 : ...
5262 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5263 : ...
5264 :catch /{pattern}/
5265 : ...
5266 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5267 : ...
5268 :finally
5269 : ...
5270 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
5271 : ...
5272 :endtry
5273
5274The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
5275appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
5276from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
5277 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
5278is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
5279script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
5280 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
5281lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
5282patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
5283after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
5284executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
5285":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
5286(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
5287continues in the following line as usual.
5288 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
5289":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
5290that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
5291finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
5292the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
5293the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
5294see |try-nesting|.
5295 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
5296remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
5297not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
5298try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
5299a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
5300execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
5301exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5302 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
5303thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
5304clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
5305catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
5306following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
5307clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5308
5309The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
5310a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
5311try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
5312from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
5313sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
5314":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
5315":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
5316from the finally clause.
5317 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
5318try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
5319clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
5320":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
5321clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
5322":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
5323this pending exception or command is discarded.
5324
5325For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
5326
5327
5328NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
5329
5330Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
5331conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
5332clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
5333catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
5334of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
5335checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
5336try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
5337otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
5338nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
5339one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
5340the inner try conditional.
5341
5342When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
5343finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
5344An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
5345thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
5346implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
5347as usual.
5348
5349For examples see |throw-catch|.
5350
5351
5352EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
5353
5354Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
5355'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
5356script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
5357finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
5358a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
5359(see |debug-scripts|).
5360
5361
5362THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
5363
5364You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
5365and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
5366 :throw 4711
5367 :throw "string"
5368< *throw-expression*
5369You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
5370first, and the result is thrown: >
5371 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
5372 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
5373
5374An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
5375command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
5376The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
5377 Example: >
5378
5379 :function! Foo(arg)
5380 : try
5381 : throw a:arg
5382 : catch /foo/
5383 : endtry
5384 : return 1
5385 :endfunction
5386 :
5387 :function! Bar()
5388 : echo "in Bar"
5389 : return 4710
5390 :endfunction
5391 :
5392 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
5393
5394This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
5395executed. >
5396 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
5397however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
5398
5399Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
5400abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
5401exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
5402 Example: >
5403
5404 :if Foo("arrgh")
5405 : echo "then"
5406 :else
5407 : echo "else"
5408 :endif
5409
5410Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
5411
5412 *catch-order*
5413Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
5414commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
5415command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
5416gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
5417 Example: >
5418
5419 :function! Foo(value)
5420 : try
5421 : throw a:value
5422 : catch /^\d\+$/
5423 : echo "Number thrown"
5424 : catch /.*/
5425 : echo "String thrown"
5426 : endtry
5427 :endfunction
5428 :
5429 :call Foo(0x1267)
5430 :call Foo('string')
5431
5432The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
5433An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
5434specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
5435specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
5436
5437 : catch /.*/
5438 : echo "String thrown"
5439 : catch /^\d\+$/
5440 : echo "Number thrown"
5441
5442The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
5443never taken.
5444
5445 *throw-variables*
5446If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
5447in the variable |v:exception|: >
5448
5449 : catch /^\d\+$/
5450 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
5451
5452You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
5453|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
5454exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
5455 Example: >
5456
5457 :function! Caught()
5458 : if v:exception != ""
5459 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
5460 : else
5461 : echo 'Nothing caught'
5462 : endif
5463 :endfunction
5464 :
5465 :function! Foo()
5466 : try
5467 : try
5468 : try
5469 : throw 4711
5470 : finally
5471 : call Caught()
5472 : endtry
5473 : catch /.*/
5474 : call Caught()
5475 : throw "oops"
5476 : endtry
5477 : catch /.*/
5478 : call Caught()
5479 : finally
5480 : call Caught()
5481 : endtry
5482 :endfunction
5483 :
5484 :call Foo()
5485
5486This displays >
5487
5488 Nothing caught
5489 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
5490 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
5491 Nothing caught
5492
5493A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
5494number in the script or function where it has been used: >
5495
5496 :function! LineNumber()
5497 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
5498 :endfunction
5499 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
5500<
5501 *try-nested*
5502An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
5503a surrounding try conditional: >
5504
5505 :try
5506 : try
5507 : throw "foo"
5508 : catch /foobar/
5509 : echo "foobar"
5510 : finally
5511 : echo "inner finally"
5512 : endtry
5513 :catch /foo/
5514 : echo "foo"
5515 :endtry
5516
5517The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
5518clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
5519conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
5520
5521 *throw-from-catch*
5522You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
5523catch clause: >
5524
5525 :function! Foo()
5526 : throw "foo"
5527 :endfunction
5528 :
5529 :function! Bar()
5530 : try
5531 : call Foo()
5532 : catch /foo/
5533 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
5534 : throw "bar"
5535 : endtry
5536 :endfunction
5537 :
5538 :try
5539 : call Bar()
5540 :catch /.*/
5541 : echo "Caught" v:exception
5542 :endtry
5543
5544This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
5545
5546 *rethrow*
5547There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
5548"v:exception" instead: >
5549
5550 :function! Bar()
5551 : try
5552 : call Foo()
5553 : catch /.*/
5554 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
5555 : throw v:exception
5556 : endtry
5557 :endfunction
5558< *try-echoerr*
5559Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
5560exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
5561Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
5562denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
5563the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
5564
5565 :try
5566 : try
5567 : asdf
5568 : catch /.*/
5569 : echoerr v:exception
5570 : endtry
5571 :catch /.*/
5572 : echo v:exception
5573 :endtry
5574
5575This code displays
5576
5577 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
5578
5579
5580CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
5581
5582Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
5583user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
5584an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
5585a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
5586catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
5587a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
5588normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
5589(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
5590to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
5591clause has been executed.)
5592Example: >
5593
5594 :try
5595 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
5596 : set ts=17
5597 :
5598 : " Do the hard work here.
5599 :
5600 :finally
5601 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
5602 : unlet s:saved_ts
5603 :endtry
5604
5605This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
5606changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
5607that function or script part.
5608
5609 *break-finally*
5610Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
5611a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
5612 Example: >
5613
5614 :let first = 1
5615 :while 1
5616 : try
5617 : if first
5618 : echo "first"
5619 : let first = 0
5620 : continue
5621 : else
5622 : throw "second"
5623 : endif
5624 : catch /.*/
5625 : echo v:exception
5626 : break
5627 : finally
5628 : echo "cleanup"
5629 : endtry
5630 : echo "still in while"
5631 :endwhile
5632 :echo "end"
5633
5634This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
5635
5636 :function! Foo()
5637 : try
5638 : return 4711
5639 : finally
5640 : echo "cleanup\n"
5641 : endtry
5642 : echo "Foo still active"
5643 :endfunction
5644 :
5645 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
5646
5647This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
5648extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
5649return value.)
5650
5651 *except-from-finally*
5652Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
5653a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
5654cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
5655exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
5656 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
5657working correctly: >
5658
5659 :try
5660 : try
5661 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
5662 : while 1
5663 : endwhile
5664 : finally
5665 : unlet novar
5666 : endtry
5667 :catch /novar/
5668 :endtry
5669 :echo "Script still running"
5670 :sleep 1
5671
5672If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
5673think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
5674|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
5675
5676
5677CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
5678
5679If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
5680watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
5681presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
5682exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
5683the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
5684the error exception is.
5685 Error exceptions have the following format: >
5686
5687 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
5688or >
5689 Vim:{errmsg}
5690
5691{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
5692the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
5693when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
5694a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
5695a space.
5696
5697Examples:
5698
5699The command >
5700 :unlet novar
5701normally produces the error message >
5702 E108: No such variable: "novar"
5703which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5704 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
5705
5706The command >
5707 :dwim
5708normally produces the error message >
5709 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
5710which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5711 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
5712
5713You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
5714 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
5715or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
5716 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
5717
5718Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
5719 :function nofunc
5720and >
5721 :delfunction nofunc
5722both produce the error message >
5723 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5724which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5725 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5726or >
5727 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5728respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
5729command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
5730 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
5731
5732Some commands like >
5733 :let x = novar
5734produce multiple error messages, here: >
5735 E121: Undefined variable: novar
5736 E15: Invalid expression: novar
5737Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
5738one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
5739 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
5740
5741You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
5742 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
5743
5744You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
5745 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
5746
5747You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
5748 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
5749<
5750 *catch-text*
5751NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
5752 :catch /No such variable/
5753only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
5754a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
5755cite the message text in a comment: >
5756 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
5757
5758
5759IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
5760
5761You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
5762
5763 :try
5764 : write
5765 :catch
5766 :endtry
5767
5768But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
5769catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
5770be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
5771
5772 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
5773
5774There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
5775writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
5776then hide the error from the user.
5777 It is much better to use >
5778
5779 :try
5780 : write
5781 :catch /^Vim(write):/
5782 :endtry
5783
5784which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
5785intentionally.
5786
5787For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
5788even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
5789command: >
5790 :silent! nunmap k
5791This works also when a try conditional is active.
5792
5793
5794CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
5795
5796When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
5797the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
5798script is not terminated, then.
5799 Example: >
5800
5801 :function! TASK1()
5802 : sleep 10
5803 :endfunction
5804
5805 :function! TASK2()
5806 : sleep 20
5807 :endfunction
5808
5809 :while 1
5810 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
5811 : try
5812 : if command == ""
5813 : continue
5814 : elseif command == "END"
5815 : break
5816 : elseif command == "TASK1"
5817 : call TASK1()
5818 : elseif command == "TASK2"
5819 : call TASK2()
5820 : else
5821 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
5822 : continue
5823 : endif
5824 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
5825 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
5826 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
5827 : endtry
5828 :endwhile
5829
5830You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
5831a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
5832
5833For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
5834your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
5835command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
5836
5837
5838CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
5839
5840The commands >
5841
5842 :catch /.*/
5843 :catch //
5844 :catch
5845
5846catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
5847explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
5848a script in order to catch unexpected things.
5849 Example: >
5850
5851 :try
5852 :
5853 : " do the hard work here
5854 :
5855 :catch /MyException/
5856 :
5857 : " handle known problem
5858 :
5859 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
5860 : echo "Script interrupted"
5861 :catch /.*/
5862 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
5863 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
5864 :endtry
5865 :" end of script
5866
5867Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
5868strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
5869specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
5870 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
5871by pressing CTRL-C: >
5872
5873 :while 1
5874 : try
5875 : sleep 1
5876 : catch
5877 : endtry
5878 :endwhile
5879
5880
5881EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
5882
5883Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
5884
5885 :autocmd User x try
5886 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
5887 :autocmd User x catch
5888 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
5889 :autocmd User x endtry
5890 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
5891 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
5892 :
5893 :try
5894 : doautocmd User x
5895 :catch
5896 : echo v:exception
5897 :endtry
5898
5899This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
5900
5901 *except-autocmd-Pre*
5902For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
5903command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
5904of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
5905abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
5906 Example: >
5907
5908 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
5909 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
5910 :
5911 :try
5912 : write
5913 :catch
5914 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
5915 :endtry
5916
5917Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
5918you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
5919autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
5920script displays: >
5921
5922 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
5923<
5924 *except-autocmd-Post*
5925For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
5926command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
5927an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
5928is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
5929 Example: >
5930
5931 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
5932 :
5933 :try
5934 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5935 :catch
5936 : echo v:exception
5937 :endtry
5938
5939This just displays: >
5940
5941 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
5942
5943If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
5944fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
5945 Example: >
5946
5947 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
5948 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
5949 :
5950 :try
5951 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5952 :catch
5953 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5954 :endtry
5955<
5956You can also use ":silent!": >
5957
5958 :let x = "ok"
5959 :let v:errmsg = ""
5960 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
5961 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
5962 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
5963 :try
5964 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5965 :catch
5966 :endtry
5967 :echo x
5968
5969This displays "after fail".
5970
5971If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
5972autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
5973
5974 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
5975 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
5976 :
5977 :try
5978 : write
5979 :catch
5980 : echo v:exception
5981 :endtry
5982<
5983 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
5984For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
5985autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
5986of the command.
5987 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
5988had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
5989some way. >
5990
5991 :if !exists("cnt")
5992 : let cnt = 0
5993 :
5994 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
5995 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
5996 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
5997 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
5998 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
5999 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
6000 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
6001 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6002 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6003 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
6004 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6005 :endif
6006 :
6007 :try
6008 : write
6009 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
6010 : if &modified
6011 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
6012 : else
6013 : echo "Error after writing"
6014 : endif
6015 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6016 : echo "Error on writing"
6017 :endtry
6018
6019When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
6020first >
6021 File successfully written!
6022then >
6023 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
6024then >
6025 Error after writing
6026etc.
6027
6028 *except-autocmd-ill*
6029You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
6030The following code is ill-formed: >
6031
6032 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
6033 :
6034 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
6035 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
6036 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
6037 :
6038 :write
6039
6040
6041EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
6042
6043Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
6044pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
6045similar things in Vim.
6046 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
6047class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
6048string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
6049 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
6050it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
6051for an error when writing "myfile".
6052 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
6053base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
6054parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
6055 Example: >
6056
6057 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
6058 : if a:a < 0
6059 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
6060 : endif
6061 :endfunction
6062 :
6063 :function! Add(a, b)
6064 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
6065 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
6066 : let c = a:a + a:b
6067 : if c < 0
6068 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
6069 : endif
6070 : return c
6071 :endfunction
6072 :
6073 :function! Div(a, b)
6074 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
6075 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
6076 : if (a:b == 0)
6077 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
6078 : endif
6079 : return a:a / a:b
6080 :endfunction
6081 :
6082 :function! Write(file)
6083 : try
6084 : execute "write" a:file
6085 : catch /^Vim(write):/
6086 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
6087 : endtry
6088 :endfunction
6089 :
6090 :try
6091 :
6092 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
6093 :
6094 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
6095 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6096 : echo "Range error in" function
6097 :
6098 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
6099 : echo "Math error"
6100 :
6101 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
6102 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
6103 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6104 : if file !~ '^/'
6105 : let file = dir . "/" . file
6106 : endif
6107 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
6108 :
6109 :catch /^EXCEPT/
6110 : echo "Unspecified error"
6111 :
6112 :endtry
6113
6114The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
6115a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
6116exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
6117 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
6118failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
6119
6120
6121PECULIARITIES
6122 *except-compat*
6123The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
6124exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
6125and/or a catch clause.
6126
6127In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
6128continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
6129after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
6130functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
6131or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
6132(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
6133
6134This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
6135immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
6136conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
6137be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
6138termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
6139catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
6140by specifying a finally clause.)
6141
6142When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
6143behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
6144scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
6145
6146However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
6147commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
6148conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
6149script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
6150error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
6151messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
6152|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
6153not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
6154where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
6155error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
6156scripts.
6157
6158 *except-syntax-err*
6159Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
6160the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
6161clauses, however, is executed.
6162 Example: >
6163
6164 :try
6165 : try
6166 : throw 4711
6167 : catch /\(/
6168 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
6169 : catch
6170 : echo "inner catch-all"
6171 : finally
6172 : echo "inner finally"
6173 : endtry
6174 :catch
6175 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
6176 : finally
6177 : echo "outer finally"
6178 :endtry
6179
6180This displays: >
6181 inner finally
6182 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
6183 outer finally
6184The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
6185
6186 *except-single-line*
6187The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
6188a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
6189"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
6190 Example: >
6191 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
6192raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
6193argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
6194error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
6195displayed.
6196
6197 *except-several-errors*
6198When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
6199usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
6200 Example: >
6201 echo novar
6202causes >
6203 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6204 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6205The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6206 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
6207< *except-syntax-error*
6208But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
6209the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
6210 Example: >
6211 unlet novar #
6212causes >
6213 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6214 E488: Trailing characters
6215The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6216 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
6217This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
6218not intended by the user. Example: >
6219 try
6220 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
6221 catch /.*/
6222 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
6223 endtry
6224This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
6225a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
6226
6227==============================================================================
62289. Examples *eval-examples*
6229
6230Printing in Hex ~
6231>
6232 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
6233 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
6234 : let n = a:nr
6235 : let r = ""
6236 : while n
6237 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
6238 : let n = n / 16
6239 : endwhile
6240 : return r
6241 :endfunc
6242
6243 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
6244 :" character Hex string.
6245 :func String2Hex(str)
6246 : let out = ''
6247 : let ix = 0
6248 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
6249 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
6250 : let ix = ix + 1
6251 : endwhile
6252 : return out
6253 :endfunc
6254
6255Example of its use: >
6256 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
6257result: "20" >
6258 :echo String2Hex("32")
6259result: "3332"
6260
6261
6262Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
6263
6264Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
6265":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
6266platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
6267function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
6268with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
6269>
6270 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
6271 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
6272 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
6273 : return -1
6274 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
6275 : return 1
6276 : else
6277 : return 0
6278 : endif
6279 :endfunction
6280
6281 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
6282 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
6283 : if (a:start >= a:end)
6284 : return
6285 : endif
6286 : let partition = a:start - 1
6287 : let middle = partition
6288 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
6289 : let i = a:start
6290 : while (i <= a:end)
6291 : let str = getline(i)
6292 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
6293 : if (result <= 0)
6294 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
6295 : let partition = partition + 1
6296 : if (result == 0)
6297 : let middle = partition
6298 : endif
6299 : if (i != partition)
6300 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6301 : call setline(i, str2)
6302 : call setline(partition, str)
6303 : endif
6304 : endif
6305 : let i = i + 1
6306 : endwhile
6307
6308 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
6309 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
6310 : " the end of the partition.
6311 : if (middle != partition)
6312 : let str = getline(middle)
6313 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6314 : call setline(middle, str2)
6315 : call setline(partition, str)
6316 : endif
6317 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
6318 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
6319 :endfunc
6320
6321 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
6322 :" function that will compare two lines.
6323 :func! Sort(cmp) range
6324 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
6325 :endfunc
6326
6327 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
6328 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
6329<
6330 *sscanf*
6331There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
6332line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
6333how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
6334"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
6335 :" Set up the match bit
6336 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
6337 :"get the part matching the whole expression
6338 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
6339 :"get each item out of the match
6340 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
6341 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
6342 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
6343
6344The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
6345"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
6346
6347==============================================================================
634810. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
6349
6350When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
6351evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
6352to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
6353recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
6354and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
6355only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
6356recognized.
6357
6358Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
6359missing: >
6360
6361 :if 1
6362 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
6363 :else
6364 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
6365 :endif
6366
6367==============================================================================
636811. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
6369
6370The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
6371options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
6372these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
6373these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
6374a tags file is executed.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006375The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006376
6377These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
6378 - changing the buffer text
6379 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
6380 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
6381 - executing a shell command
6382 - reading or writing a file
6383 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006384This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
6385
6386 *:san* *:sandbox*
6387:sandbox {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
6388 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
6389 'foldexpr'.
6390
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006391
6392 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: