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Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.1. Last change: 2007 Sep 25
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00003112. Textlock |textlock|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000032
33{Vi does not have any of these commands}
34
35==============================================================================
361. Variables *variables*
37
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000039 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000040There are five types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000042Number A 32 bit signed number.
43 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
44
45String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
46 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
47
48Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
49 Example: function("strlen")
50
51List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
52 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000053
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000054Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
55 value. |Dictionary|
56 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
57
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000058The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
59are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000060
61Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
62the Number. Examples: >
63 Number 123 --> String "123"
64 Number 0 --> String "0"
65 Number -1 --> String "-1"
66
67Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
68to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
69the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
70 String "456" --> Number 456
71 String "6bar" --> Number 6
72 String "foo" --> Number 0
73 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
74 String "0100" --> Number 64
75 String "-8" --> Number -8
76 String "+8" --> Number 0
77
78To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
79 :echo "0100" + 0
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +000080< 64 ~
81
82To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different
83base, use |str2nr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000084
85For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
86
87Note that in the command >
88 :if "foo"
89"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
90use strlen(): >
91 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000092< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
93List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000094
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000095 *E706*
96You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
97to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000098equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000099 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000100 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000101 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000102
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000103
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001041.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000105 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000106A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000107in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
108around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000109
110 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
111 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000112< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000113A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:", "t:" or "b:". You
114cannot have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000115
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000116A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
117Dictionary entry. Example: >
118 :function dict.init() dict
119 : let self.val = 0
120 :endfunction
121
122The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
123function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
124
125A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
126 :call Fn()
127 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000128
129The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000130 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000131
132You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
133arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000134 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000135
136
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001371.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000138 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000139A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
140can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
141position in the sequence.
142
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143
144List creation ~
145 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000146A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000147Examples: >
148 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
149 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000150
151An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000152List of Lists: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000153 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000154
155An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
156
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000157
158List index ~
159 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000160An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000161after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
162 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000163 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000164
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000165When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000166 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000167<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000168A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
169the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000170 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
171
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000172To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000173is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000174 :echo get(mylist, idx)
175 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
176
177
178List concatenation ~
179
180Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
181 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000182 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000183
184To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
185it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
186
187
188Sublist ~
189
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000190A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
191separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000192 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000193
194Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000195similar to -1. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000196 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
197 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
198 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000199
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000200If the first index is beyond the last item of the List or the second item is
201before the first item, the result is an empty list. There is no error
202message.
203
204If the second index is equal to or greater than the length of the list the
205length minus one is used: >
Bram Moolenaar9e54a0e2006-04-14 20:42:25 +0000206 :let mylist = [0, 1, 2, 3]
207 :echo mylist[2:8] " result: [2, 3]
208
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000209NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
210using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
211mylist[s : e].
212
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000213
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000214List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000215 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000216When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
217variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
218change "bb": >
219 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
220 :let bb = aa
221 :call add(aa, 4)
222 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000223< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000224
225Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
226works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000227a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000228 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
229 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000230 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000231 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
232 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000233< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000234 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000235< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000236
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000237To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000238copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000239
240The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000241List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000242the same value. >
243 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
244 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
245 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000246< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000247 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000248< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000249
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000250Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
251same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000252exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
253different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
254variables. Example: >
255 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000256< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000257 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000258< 0
259
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000260Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
261can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a string: >
262
263 :let a = 5
264 :let b = "5"
265 echo a == b
266< 1 >
267 echo [a] == [b]
268< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000269
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000270
271List unpack ~
272
273To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
274square brackets, like list items: >
275 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
276
277When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
278this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
279and a variable name: >
280 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
281
282This works like: >
283 :let var1 = mylist[0]
284 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000285 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000286
287Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
288empty list then.
289
290
291List modification ~
292 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000293To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000294 :let list[4] = "four"
295 :let listlist[0][3] = item
296
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000297To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000298modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000299 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
300
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000301Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
302examples: >
303 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
304 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
305 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000306 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000307 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
308 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000309 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000310 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000311 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000312 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000313
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000314Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000315 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
316 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
317
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000318
319For loop ~
320
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000321The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
322to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000323 :for item in mylist
324 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000325 :endfor
326
327This works like: >
328 :let index = 0
329 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000330 : let item = mylist[index]
331 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000332 : let index = index + 1
333 :endwhile
334
335Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000336results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000337the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000338
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000339If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000340function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000341
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000342Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
343requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
344 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
345 : call Doit(lnum, col)
346 :endfor
347
348This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
349must remain the same to avoid an error.
350
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000351It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000352 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
353 : call Doit(i, j)
354 : if !empty(rest)
355 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
356 : endif
357 :endfor
358
359
360List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000361 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000362Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000363 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000364 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000365 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
366 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
367 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000368 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
369 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000370 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
371 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000372 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
373 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000374 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
375 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000376
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000377Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
378example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
379 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
380
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003821.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000383 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000384A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000385entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
386ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000387
388
389Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000390 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000391A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000392braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
393only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000394 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
395 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000396< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000397A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
398String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000399entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
400Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000401
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000402A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000403nested Dictionary: >
404 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
405
406An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
407
408
409Accessing entries ~
410
411The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
412 :let val = mydict["one"]
413 :let mydict["four"] = 4
414
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000415You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000416
417For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
418form can be used |expr-entry|: >
419 :let val = mydict.one
420 :let mydict.four = 4
421
422Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
423key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000424 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000425
426
427Dictionary to List conversion ~
428
429You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
430turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
431
432Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
433 :for key in keys(mydict)
434 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
435 :endfor
436
437The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
438 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
439
440To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
441 :for v in values(mydict)
442 : echo "value: " . v
443 :endfor
444
445If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000446a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000447 :for [key, value] in items(mydict)
448 : echo key . ': ' . value
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000449 :endfor
450
451
452Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000453 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000454Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
455Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
456Dictionary: >
457 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
458 :let adict = onedict
459 :let adict['a'] = 11
460 :echo onedict['a']
461 11
462
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000463Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
464more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000465
466
467Dictionary modification ~
468 *dict-modification*
469To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
470use |:let| this way: >
471 :let dict[4] = "four"
472 :let dict['one'] = item
473
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000474Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
475Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
476 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
477 :unlet dict.aaa
478 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000479
480Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000481 :call extend(adict, bdict)
482This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
483in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000484Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
485expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
486adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000487
488Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000489 :call filter(dict, 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000490This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000491
492
493Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000494 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000495When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
496special way with a dictionary. Example: >
497 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000498 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000499 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000500 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
501 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000502
503This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
504Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
505the function was invoked from.
506
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000507It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
508Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
509
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000510 *numbered-function* *anonymous-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000511To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
512assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000513 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
514 :function mydict.len() dict
515 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000516 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000517 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000518
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000519The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
520that references this function. The function can only be used through a
521|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
522remaining that refers to it.
523
524It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000525
526
527Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000528 *E715*
529Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000530 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
531 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
532 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
533 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
534 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
535 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
536 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
537 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000538
539
5401.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000541 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000542If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
543function.
544
545When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
546start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
547stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
548
549When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
550start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
551stored in the session file |session-file|.
552
553variable name can be stored where ~
554my_var_6 not
555My_Var_6 session file
556MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
557
558
559It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
560|curly-braces-names|.
561
562==============================================================================
5632. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
564
565Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
566
567|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
568
569|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
570
571|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
572
573|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
574 expr5 != expr5 not equal
575 expr5 > expr5 greater than
576 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
577 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
578 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
579 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
580 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
581
582 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
583 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
584 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
585 matching case
586
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000587 expr5 is expr5 same |List| instance
588 expr5 isnot expr5 different |List| instance
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000589
590|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000591 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
592 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
593
594|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
595 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
596 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
597
598|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
599 - expr7 unary minus
600 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000601
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000602
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000603|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a |List|
604 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a |List|
605 expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary|
606 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with |Funcref| variable
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000607
608|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000609 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000610 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000611 [expr1, ...] |List|
612 {expr1: expr1, ...} |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000613 &option option value
614 (expr1) nested expression
615 variable internal variable
616 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
617 $VAR environment variable
618 @r contents of register 'r'
619 function(expr1, ...) function call
620 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
621
622
623".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
624Example: >
625 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
626
627All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
628
629
630expr1 *expr1* *E109*
631-----
632
633expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
634
635The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
636non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
637otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
638Example: >
639 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
640
641Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
642other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
643Example: >
644 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
645
646To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
647 :echo lnum == 1
648 :\ ? "top"
649 :\ : lnum == 1000
650 :\ ? "last"
651 :\ : lnum
652
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000653You should always put a space before the ':', otherwise it can be mistaken for
654use in a variable such as "a:1".
655
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000656
657expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
658---------------
659
660 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
661The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
662are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
663
664 input output ~
665n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
666zero zero zero zero
667zero non-zero non-zero zero
668non-zero zero non-zero zero
669non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
670
671The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
672
673 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
674
675Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
676
677 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
678
679Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
680arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
681
682 let a = 1
683 echo a || b
684
685This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
686so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
687
688 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
689
690This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
691only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
692
693
694expr4 *expr4*
695-----
696
697expr5 {cmp} expr5
698
699Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
700if it evaluates to true.
701
702 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
703 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
704 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
705 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
706 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
707 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000708 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000709 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
710equal == ==# ==?
711not equal != !=# !=?
712greater than > ># >?
713greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
714smaller than < <# <?
715smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
716regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
717regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000718same instance is
719different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000720
721Examples:
722"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
723"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
724"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
725
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000726 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000727A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
728"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
729Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000730
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000731 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000732A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
733equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000734recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
735
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000736 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000737A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
738equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000739
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000740When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| this checks if the expressions are
741referring to the same |List| instance. A copy of a |List| is different from
742the original |List|. When using "is" without a |List| it is equivalent to
743using "equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000744different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
745is false.
746
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000747When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
748and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
749because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
750
751When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
752results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
753necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
754
755When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000756'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp(): case matters.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000757
758When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000759'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp(): case is ignored.
760
761'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000762
763The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
764argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
765This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
766matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
767portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
768single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
769Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
770(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
771can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
772 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
773 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
774
775
776expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
777---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000778expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000779expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
780expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000781
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +0000782For |Lists| only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000783result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000784
785expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
786expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
787expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000788
789For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
790
791Note the difference between "+" and ".":
792 "123" + "456" = 579
793 "123" . "456" = "123456"
794
795When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
796When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
797
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000798None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000799
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000800
801expr7 *expr7*
802-----
803! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
804- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
805+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
806
807For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
808For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
809For '+' the number is unchanged.
810
811A String will be converted to a Number first.
812
813These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
814 !-1 == 0
815 !!8 == 1
816 --9 == 9
817
818
819expr8 *expr8*
820-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000821expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000822
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000823If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
824expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000825Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000826
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000827Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
828text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
829cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000830 :let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000831
832If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000833String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
834compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
835
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000836If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000837for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
838error. Example: >
839 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
840
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000841Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
842|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
843error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000844
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000845
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000846expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000847
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000848If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
849from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000850expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
851encodings.
852
853If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
854string minus one is used.
855
856A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
857the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
858
859If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
860expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
861
862Examples: >
863 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
864 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
865 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
866 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
867
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000868If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
869the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
870just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000871 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
872 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
873 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
874
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000875Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
876error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000877
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000878
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000879expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000880
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000881If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
882name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
883expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000884
885The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
886but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
887
888There must not be white space before or after the dot.
889
890Examples: >
891 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
892 :echo dict.one
893 :echo dict .2
894
895Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
896always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
897
898
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000899expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000900
901When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
902
903
904
905 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000906number
907------
908number number constant *expr-number*
909
910Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
911
912
913string *expr-string* *E114*
914------
915"string" string constant *expr-quote*
916
917Note that double quotes are used.
918
919A string constant accepts these special characters:
920\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
921\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
922\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
923\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
924\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
925\X.. same as \x..
926\X. same as \x.
927\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
928 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
929\U.... same as \u....
930\b backspace <BS>
931\e escape <Esc>
932\f formfeed <FF>
933\n newline <NL>
934\r return <CR>
935\t tab <Tab>
936\\ backslash
937\" double quote
938\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
939
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000940Note that "\xff" is stored as the byte 255, which may be invalid in some
941encodings. Use "\u00ff" to store character 255 according to the current value
942of 'encoding'.
943
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000944Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
945
946
947literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
948---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000949'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000950
951Note that single quotes are used.
952
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000953This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000954meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000955
956Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
957to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
958 if a =~ "\\s*"
959 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000960
961
962option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
963------
964&option option value, local value if possible
965&g:option global option value
966&l:option local option value
967
968Examples: >
969 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
970 if &insertmode
971
972Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
973and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
974anyway.
975
976
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000977register *expr-register* *@r*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000978--------
979@r contents of register 'r'
980
981The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
982Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +0000983register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
984registers.
985
986When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
987evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000988
989
990nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
991-------
992(expr1) nested expression
993
994
995environment variable *expr-env*
996--------------------
997$VAR environment variable
998
999The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
1000result is an empty string.
1001 *expr-env-expand*
1002Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
1003expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
1004are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
1005the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
1006fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
1007does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
1008 :echo $version
1009 :echo expand("$version")
1010The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
1011variable (if your shell supports it).
1012
1013
1014internal variable *expr-variable*
1015-----------------
1016variable internal variable
1017See below |internal-variables|.
1018
1019
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001020function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001021-------------
1022function(expr1, ...) function call
1023See below |functions|.
1024
1025
1026==============================================================================
10273. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1028 *E461*
1029An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1030cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1031|curly-braces-names|.
1032
1033An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001034An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1035|:unlet|.
1036Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1037been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001038
1039There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1040specified by what is prepended:
1041
1042 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1043|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1044|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001045|tabpage-variable| t: Local to the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001046|global-variable| g: Global.
1047|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1048|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1049|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1050|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1051
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001052The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1053delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001054 :for k in keys(s:)
1055 : unlet s:[k]
1056 :endfor
1057<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001058 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1059A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1060Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1061This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1062|:bdelete|.
1063
1064One local buffer variable is predefined:
1065 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1066b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1067 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1068 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1069 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1070 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1071 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1072 : call My_Update()
1073 :endif
1074<
1075 *window-variable* *w:var*
1076A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1077is deleted when the window is closed.
1078
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001079 *tabpage-variable* *t:var*
1080A variable name that is preceded with "t:" is local to the current tab page,
1081It is deleted when the tab page is closed. {not available when compiled
1082without the +windows feature}
1083
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001084 *global-variable* *g:var*
1085Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1086access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1087place if you like.
1088
1089 *local-variable* *l:var*
1090Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001091But you can also prepend "l:" if you like. However, without prepending "l:"
1092you may run into reserved variable names. For example "count". By itself it
1093refers to "v:count". Using "l:count" you can have a local variable with the
1094same name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001095
1096 *script-variable* *s:var*
1097In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1098accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1099
1100They can be used in:
1101- commands executed while the script is sourced
1102- functions defined in the script
1103- autocommands defined in the script
1104- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1105 defined in the script (recursively)
1106- user defined commands defined in the script
1107Thus not in:
1108- other scripts sourced from this one
1109- mappings
1110- etc.
1111
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001112Script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1113Take this example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001114
1115 let s:counter = 0
1116 function MyCounter()
1117 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1118 echo s:counter
1119 endfunction
1120 command Tick call MyCounter()
1121
1122You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1123that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1124"Tick" was defined is used.
1125
1126Another example that does the same: >
1127
1128 let s:counter = 0
1129 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1130
1131When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001132script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001133defined.
1134
1135The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1136function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1137
1138 let s:counter = 0
1139 function StartCounting(incr)
1140 if a:incr
1141 function MyCounter()
1142 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1143 endfunction
1144 else
1145 function MyCounter()
1146 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1147 endfunction
1148 endif
1149 endfunction
1150
1151This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1152when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1153called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1154
1155When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1156They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1157maintain a counter: >
1158
1159 if !exists("s:counter")
1160 let s:counter = 1
1161 echo "script executed for the first time"
1162 else
1163 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1164 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1165 endif
1166
1167Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1168variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1169
1170
1171Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1172
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001173 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1174v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1175 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1176 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1177
1178 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1179v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1180 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1181
1182 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1183v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1184 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1185
1186 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001187v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1188 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1189 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1190 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001191 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1192 highlighted text is used.
1193 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1194
1195 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1196v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1197 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1198
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001199 *v:char* *char-variable*
1200v:char Argument for evaluating 'formatexpr'.
1201
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001202 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1203v:charconvert_from
1204 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1205 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1206
1207 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1208v:charconvert_to
1209 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1210 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1211
1212 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1213v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1214 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1215 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1216 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1217 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1218 possible to append this variable directly after the
1219 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1220 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1221 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1222 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1223 in 'printexpr'.
1224
1225 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1226v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1227 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1228 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1229 can be used.
1230
1231 *v:count* *count-variable*
1232v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1233 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1234 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1235< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1236 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001237 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001238 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1239
1240 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1241v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1242 used.
1243
1244 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1245v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1246 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1247 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1248 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1249 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1250 command.
1251 See |multi-lang|.
1252
1253 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1254v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1255 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1256 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1257 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1258 Example: >
1259 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1260<
1261 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1262v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1263 Example: >
1264 :let v:errmsg = ""
1265 :silent! next
1266 :if v:errmsg != ""
1267 : ... handle error
1268< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1269
1270 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1271v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1272 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1273 Example: >
1274 :try
1275 : throw "oops"
1276 :catch /.*/
1277 : echo "caught" v:exception
1278 :endtry
1279< Output: "caught oops".
1280
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001281 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1282v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1283 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1284 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1285 deleted file no longer exists
1286 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1287 changed and buffer is modified
1288 changed file contents has changed
1289 mode mode of file changed
1290 time only file timestamp changed
1291
1292 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1293v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1294 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1295 do with the affected buffer:
1296 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1297 the file was deleted).
1298 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1299 was no autocommand. Except that when
1300 only the timestamp changed nothing
1301 will happen.
1302 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1303 everything that needs to be done.
1304 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1305 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1306
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001307 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001308v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001309 option used for ~
1310 'charconvert' file to be converted
1311 'diffexpr' original file
1312 'patchexpr' original file
1313 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001314 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001315
1316 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1317v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1318 evaluating:
1319 option used for ~
1320 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1321 'diffexpr' output of diff
1322 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1323 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1324 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1325 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1326 file and different from v:fname_in.
1327
1328 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1329v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1330 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1331
1332 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1333v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1334 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1335
1336 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1337v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1338 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001339 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001340
1341 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1342v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001343 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001344
1345 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1346v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001347 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001348
1349 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1350v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001351 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001352
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001353 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1354v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1355 events. Values:
1356 i Insert mode
1357 r Replace mode
1358 v Virtual Replace mode
1359
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001360 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001361v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001362 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1363 Read-only.
1364
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001365 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1366v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1367 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1368 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1369 The value is system dependent.
1370 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1371 command.
1372 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1373 in a different language than what is used for character
1374 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1375
1376 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1377v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1378 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1379 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1380 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1381 command. See |multi-lang|.
1382
1383 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001384v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
Bram Moolenaar57657d82006-04-21 22:12:41 +00001385 expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel' and
1386 'guitabtooltip'. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1387 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001388
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00001389 *v:mouse_win* *mouse_win-variable*
1390v:mouse_win Window number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1391 First window has number 1, like with |winnr()|. The value is
1392 zero when there was no mouse button click.
1393
1394 *v:mouse_lnum* *mouse_lnum-variable*
1395v:mouse_lnum Line number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1396 This is the text line number, not the screen line number. The
1397 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1398
1399 *v:mouse_col* *mouse_col-variable*
1400v:mouse_col Column number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1401 This is the screen column number, like with |virtcol()|. The
1402 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1403
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001404 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1405v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1406 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1407 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1408 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1409< Read-only.
1410
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001411 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1412v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1413 See |profiling|.
1414
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001415 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1416v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1417 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1418 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1419 Read-only.
1420
1421 *v:register* *register-variable*
1422v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1423 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1424
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001425 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1426v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1427 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1428 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1429 typed command.
1430 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1431 hit-enter prompt.
1432
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001433 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1434v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1435 Read-only.
1436
1437 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1438v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1439 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1440 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1441 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1442 executed. Read-only.
1443 Example: >
1444 :!mv foo bar
1445 :if v:shell_error
1446 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1447 :endif
1448< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1449
1450 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1451v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1452
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001453 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1454v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1455 the swap file found. Read-only.
1456
1457 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1458v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1459 for handling an existing swap file:
1460 'o' Open read-only
1461 'e' Edit anyway
1462 'r' Recover
1463 'd' Delete swapfile
1464 'q' Quit
1465 'a' Abort
1466 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
1467 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1468 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1469
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001470 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001471v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001472 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
1473 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
1474 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001475 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001476
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001477 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1478v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1479 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1480 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1481 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1482 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1483 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1484 terminal.
1485 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1486 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1487 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1488 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1489 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1490
1491 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1492v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1493 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1494 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1495 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1496
1497 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1498v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1499 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1500 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1501 Example: >
1502 :try
1503 : throw "oops"
1504 :catch /.*/
1505 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1506 :endtry
1507< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1508
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001509 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001510v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
1511 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001512 |filter()|. Read-only.
1513
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001514 *v:version* *version-variable*
1515v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1516 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1517 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1518 compatibility.
1519 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1520 if has("patch123")
1521< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1522 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1523 completely different.
1524
1525 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1526v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1527
1528==============================================================================
15294. Builtin Functions *functions*
1530
1531See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1532
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001533(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001534
1535USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1536
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001537add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001538append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001539append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001540argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001541argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001542argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001543argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001544browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1545 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001546browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001547bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001548buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1549bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001550bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1551bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1552bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1553byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001554byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001555call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1556 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001557changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001558char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001559cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001560clearmatches() None clear all matches
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001561col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00001562complete({startcol}, {matches}) String set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001563complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
1564complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001565confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1566 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001567copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001568count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1569 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001570cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1571 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001572cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {coladd}])
1573 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {coladd}
1574cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001575deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001576delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1577did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001578diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1579diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001580empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001581escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001582eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001583eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001584executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1585exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001586extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
1587 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001588expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00001589feedkeys( {string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001590filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001591filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001592filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1593 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001594finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001595 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001596findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001597 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001598fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001599foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1600foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001601foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001602foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001603foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001604foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001605function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00001606garbagecollect( [at_exit]) none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001607get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001608get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001609getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1610 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001611getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001612getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1613getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001614getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1615getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001616getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001617getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001618getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1619getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001620getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001621getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001622getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001623getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1624getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001625getloclist({nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001626getmatches() List list of current matches
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001627getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001628getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001629getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001630getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001631gettabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {name})
1632 any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001633getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1634getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001635getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001636glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1637globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1638has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001639has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00001640haslocaldir() Number TRUE if current window executed |:lcd|
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001641hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1642 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001643histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1644histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1645histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1646histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1647hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1648hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1649hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001650iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1651indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001652index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1653 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001654input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1655 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001656inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001657inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001658inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1659inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001660inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001661insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001662isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001663islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001664items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001665join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001666keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001667len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1668libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001669libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1670line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1671line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001672lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001673localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001674map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001675maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1676 String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1677mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1678 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001679match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001680 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001681matchadd( {group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
1682 Number highlight {pattern} with {group}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001683matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001684matchdelete( {id}) Number delete match identified by {id}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001685matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001686 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001687matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1688 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001689matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1690 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001691max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00001692min({list}) Number minimum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001693mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1694 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001695mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001696nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1697nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001698pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001699prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00001700printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001701pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001702range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1703 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001704readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1705 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00001706reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
1707reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001708remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1709 String send expression
1710remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1711remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1712 Number check for reply string
1713remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1714remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1715 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001716remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001717remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001718rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1719repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1720resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001721reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001722search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001723searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
1724 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001725searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001726 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001727searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001728 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001729searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001730 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001731server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1732 Number send reply string
1733serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1734setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1735setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1736setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001737setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1738 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001739setmatches( {list}) Number restore a list of matches
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001740setpos( {expr}, {list}) none set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001741setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001742setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001743settabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window
1744 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001745setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00001746shellescape( {string}) String escape {string} for use as shell
1747 command argument
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001748simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001749sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001750soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001751spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001752spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1753 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001754split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001755 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001756str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert string to number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001757strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001758stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1759 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001760string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001761strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1762strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1763 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001764strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1765 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001766strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001767submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001768substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1769 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001770synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001771synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1772 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1773synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001774system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001775tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1776tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1777tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1778 Number number of current window in tab page
1779taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00001780tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001781tempname() String name for a temporary file
1782tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1783toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001784tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1785 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001786type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001787values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001788virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1789visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1790winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1791wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1792winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1793winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001794winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001795winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00001796winrestview({dict}) None restore view of current window
1797winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001798winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001799writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1800 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001801
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001802add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001803 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
1804 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001805 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1806 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001807< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001808 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001809 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001810
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001811
1812append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001813 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
1814 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001815 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1816 the current buffer.
1817 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001818 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1819 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001820 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001821 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001822<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001823 *argc()*
1824argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1825 current window. See |arglist|.
1826
1827 *argidx()*
1828argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1829 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1830
1831 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001832argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001833 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1834 Example: >
1835 :let i = 0
1836 :while i < argc()
1837 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1838 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1839 : let i = i + 1
1840 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001841< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
1842 returned.
1843
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001844 *browse()*
1845browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1846 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1847 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1848 The input fields are:
1849 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1850 {title} title for the requester
1851 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1852 {default} default file name
1853 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1854 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1855
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001856 *browsedir()*
1857browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1858 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1859 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1860 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1861 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1862 to be used.
1863 The input fields are:
1864 {title} title for the requester
1865 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1866 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1867 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1868
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001869bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1870 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1871 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001872 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001873 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001874 exactly. The name can be:
1875 - Relative to the current directory.
1876 - A full path.
1877 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1878 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001879 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1880 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1881 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1882 long name to be able to find them.
1883 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1884 file name.
1885 *buffer_exists()*
1886 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1887
1888buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1889 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1890 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001891 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001892
1893bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1894 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1895 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001896 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001897
1898bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1899 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1900 ":ls" command.
1901 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1902 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1903 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1904 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1905 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1906 match an empty string is returned.
1907 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1908 alternate buffer.
1909 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001910 or middle of the buffer name is accepted. If you only want a
1911 full match then put "^" at the start and "$" at the end of the
1912 pattern.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001913 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1914 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1915 buffers are searched for.
1916 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1917 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1918 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1919< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1920 string is returned. >
1921 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1922 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1923 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1924 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1925< *buffer_name()*
1926 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1927
1928 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001929bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
1930 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001931 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001932 above.
1933 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
1934 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
1935 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001936 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1937 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1938< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1939 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1940 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1941 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1942 *buffer_number()*
1943 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1944 *last_buffer_nr()*
1945 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1946
1947bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1948 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1949 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1950 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1951 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1952
1953 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1954
1955< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1956 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001957 Only deals with the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001958
1959
1960byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1961 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1962 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1963 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1964 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1965 one.
1966 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1967 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1968 feature}
1969
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001970byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1971 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1972 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1973 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1974 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1975 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1976 Example : >
1977 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1978< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1979 same: >
1980 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1981 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1982< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1983 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1984 is returned.
1985
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001986call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001987 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001988 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001989 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001990 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1991 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001992 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1993 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001994
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001995changenr() *changenr()*
1996 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
1997 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
1998 with the |:undo| command.
1999 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
2000 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
2001 one less than the number of the undone change.
2002
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002003char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
2004 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
2005 char2nr(" ") returns 32
2006 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
2007< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002008 char2nr("á") returns 225
2009 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002010< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002011
2012cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
2013 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
2014 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
2015 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
2016 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
2017 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
2018 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00002019 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002020
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00002021clearmatches() *clearmatches()*
2022 Clears all matches previously defined by |matchadd()| and the
2023 |:match| commands.
2024
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002025 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00002026col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002027 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2028 . the cursor position
2029 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
2030 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
2031 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2032 returned)
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002033 Additionally {expr} can be [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line
2034 and column number. Most useful when the column is "$", to get
2035 the las column of a specific line. When "lnum" or "col" is
2036 out of range then col() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002037 To get the line number use |line()|. To get both use
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002038 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002039 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
2040 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2041 Examples: >
2042 col(".") column of cursor
2043 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
2044 col("'t") column of mark t
2045 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
2046< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002047 For an uppercase mark the column may actually be in another
2048 buffer.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002049 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
2050 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
2051 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
2052 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
2053 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
2054 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
2055 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
2056<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002057
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002058complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
2059 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2060 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002061 with CTRL-R = |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O or
2062 with an expression mapping.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002063 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2064 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2065 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2066 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2067 match.
2068 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2069 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2070 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
2071 inserting anything that would completion to stop.
2072 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2073 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2074 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2075 Example: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002076 inoremap <F5> <C-R>=ListMonths()<CR>
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002077
2078 func! ListMonths()
2079 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2080 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2081 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2082 return ''
2083 endfunc
2084< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2085 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2086
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002087complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2088 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2089 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2090 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2091 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2092 the list.
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002093 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
2094 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002095
2096complete_check() *complete_check()*
2097 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2098 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2099 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2100 zero otherwise.
2101 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2102 'completefunc' option.
2103
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002104 *confirm()*
2105confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2106 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2107 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2108 choice this is 1.
2109 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2110 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
2111 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2112 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2113 used (and translated).
2114 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2115 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
2116 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2117 by '\n', e.g. >
2118 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2119< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2120 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2121 not need to be the first letter: >
2122 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2123< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2124 the default shortcut key.
2125 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2126 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2127 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2128 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
2129 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
2130 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
2131 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
2132 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
2133 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2134 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2135 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2136
2137 An example: >
2138 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2139 :if choice == 0
2140 : echo "make up your mind!"
2141 :elseif choice == 3
2142 : echo "tasteful"
2143 :else
2144 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2145 :endif
2146< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2147 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
2148 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
2149 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2150 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2151 the horizontal layout is always used.
2152
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002153 *copy()*
2154copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2155 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002156 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2157 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002158 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002159 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002160 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002161
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002162count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002163 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002164 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002165 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002166 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002167 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2168
2169
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002170 *cscope_connection()*
2171cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2172 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2173 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2174 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2175 if there are no cscope connections;
2176 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2177
2178 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2179 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2180
2181 {num} Description of existence check
2182 ----- ------------------------------
2183 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2184 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2185 {dbpath}.
2186 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2187 {dbpath}.
2188 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2189 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2190 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2191 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2192
2193 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2194
2195 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2196
2197 # pid database name prepend path
2198 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2199<
2200 Invocation Return Val ~
2201 ---------- ---------- >
2202 cscope_connection() 1
2203 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2204 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2205 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2206 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2207 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2208 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2209 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2210<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002211cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2212cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002213 Positions the cursor at the column (byte count) {col} in the
2214 line {lnum}. The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002215 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002216 with two or three items {lnum}, {col} and {off}. This is like
2217 the return value of |getpos()|, but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002218 Does not change the jumplist.
2219 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2220 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2221 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002222 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002223 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2224 line.
2225 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002226 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2227 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00002228 position within a <Tab> or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002229
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002230
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002231deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002232 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2233 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002234 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2235 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
2236 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002237 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002238 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2239 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2240 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2241 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2242 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2243 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002244 *E724*
2245 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002246 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2247 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002248 Also see |copy()|.
2249
2250delete({fname}) *delete()*
2251 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002252 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2253 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002254 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002255
2256 *did_filetype()*
2257did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2258 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2259 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2260 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2261 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2262 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2263 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2264 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2265 file.
2266
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002267diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2268 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2269 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2270 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2271 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2272 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2273 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2274 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2275
2276diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2277 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2278 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2279 diff change zero is returned.
2280 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2281 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2282 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2283 line.
2284 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2285 syntax information about the highlighting.
2286
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002287empty({expr}) *empty()*
2288 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002289 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
2290 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2291 For a long |List| this is much faster then comparing the
2292 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002293
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002294escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2295 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2296 backslash. Example: >
2297 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2298< results in: >
2299 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002300
2301< *eval()*
2302eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2303 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2304 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002305 Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002306
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002307eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2308 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2309 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2310 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2311 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2312
2313executable({expr}) *executable()*
2314 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2315 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002316 arguments.
2317 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2318 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2319 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2320 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2321 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2322 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2323 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2324 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2325 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2326 extension.
2327 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2328 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002329 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2330 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2331 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002332 The result is a Number:
2333 1 exists
2334 0 does not exist
2335 -1 not implemented on this system
2336
2337 *exists()*
2338exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2339 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2340 which contains one of these:
2341 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2342 not if it really works)
2343 +option-name Vim option that works.
2344 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2345 done by comparing with an empty
2346 string)
2347 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2348 or user defined function (see
2349 |user-functions|).
2350 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002351 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002352 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2353 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
2354 that this may cause functions to be
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002355 invoked cause an error message for an
2356 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002357 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2358 command or command modifier |:command|.
2359 Returns:
2360 1 for match with start of a command
2361 2 full match with a command
2362 3 matches several user commands
2363 To check for a supported command
2364 always check the return value to be 2.
Bram Moolenaar14716812006-05-04 21:54:08 +00002365 :2match The |:2match| command.
2366 :3match The |:3match| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002367 #event autocommand defined for this event
2368 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2369 pattern (the pattern is taken
2370 literally and compared to the
2371 autocommand patterns character by
2372 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002373 #group autocommand group exists
2374 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2375 event.
2376 #group#event#pattern
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002377 autocommand defined for this group,
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002378 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002379 ##event autocommand for this event is
2380 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002381 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2382
2383 Examples: >
2384 exists("&shortname")
2385 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2386 exists("*strftime")
2387 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2388 exists("bufcount")
2389 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002390 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002391 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002392 exists("#filetypeindent")
2393 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2394 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002395 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002396< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2397 name.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002398 There must be no extra characters after the name, although in
2399 a few cases this is ignored. That may become more strict in
2400 the future, thus don't count on it!
2401 Working example: >
2402 exists(":make")
2403< NOT working example: >
2404 exists(":make install")
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00002405
2406< Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2407 variable itself. For example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002408 exists(bufcount)
2409< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00002410 but gets the value of "bufcount", and checks if that exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002411
2412expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2413 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2414 The result is a String.
2415
2416 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2417 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2418 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2419
2420 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2421 for a non-existing file is not included.
2422
2423 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2424 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2425 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2426
2427 % current file name
2428 # alternate file name
2429 #n alternate file name n
2430 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2431 <afile> autocmd file name
2432 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2433 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2434 <sfile> sourced script file name
2435 <cword> word under the cursor
2436 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2437 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2438 message |server2client()|
2439 Modifiers:
2440 :p expand to full path
2441 :h head (last path component removed)
2442 :t tail (last path component only)
2443 :r root (one extension removed)
2444 :e extension only
2445
2446 Example: >
2447 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2448< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2449 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2450 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2451< Use this: >
2452 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2453< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2454 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2455 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2456 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2457 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2458<
2459 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2460 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2461 to modify normal file names.
2462
2463 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2464 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2465 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2466 '/' added.
2467
2468 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2469 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2470 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2471 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002472 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2473 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2474 files in the current directory and below: >
2475 :echo expand("**/README")
2476<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002477 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2478 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2479 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2480 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2481 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2482 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2483 "$FOOBAR".
2484
2485 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2486 getting the raw output of an external command.
2487
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002488extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002489 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
2490 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002491
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002492 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002493 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2494 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2495 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2496 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002497 Examples: >
2498 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2499 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002500< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2501 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002502 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002503<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002504 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002505 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2506 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2507 used to decide what to do:
2508 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2509 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002510 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002511 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2512
2513 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2514 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2515 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2516 Returns {expr1}.
2517
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002518
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002519feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) *feedkeys()*
2520 Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002521 come from a mapping or were typed by the user. They are added
2522 to the end of the typeahead buffer, thus if a mapping is still
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002523 being executed these characters come after them.
2524 The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
2525 {string}.
2526 To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
2527 and "\..." notation |expr-quote|. For example,
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00002528 feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the <Enter> key. But
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002529 feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
2530 If {mode} is absent, keys are remapped.
2531 {mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00002532 'm' Remap keys. This is default.
2533 'n' Do not remap keys.
2534 't' Handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
2535 if coming from a mapping. This matters for undo,
2536 opening folds, etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002537 Return value is always 0.
2538
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002539filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2540 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2541 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2542 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2543 expression, which is used as a String.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002544 If you don't care about the file being readable you can use
2545 |glob()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002546 *file_readable()*
2547 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2548
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002549
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002550filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2551 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2552 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2553 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2554 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2555
2556
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002557filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002558 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002559 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002560 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002561 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002562 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002563 Examples: >
2564 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2565< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2566 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2567< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2568 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002569< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002570
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002571 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2572 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2573 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2574
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002575 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2576 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002577 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002578
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002579< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002580 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2581 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002582
2583
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002584finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar5b6b1ca2007-03-27 08:19:43 +00002585 Find directory {name} in {path}. Supports both downwards and
2586 upwards recursive directory searches. See |file-searching|
2587 for the syntax of {path}.
2588 Returns the path of the first found match. When the found
2589 directory is below the current directory a relative path is
2590 returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002591 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2592 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002593 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00002594 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002595 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002596 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2597
2598findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2599 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002600 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
2601 Example: >
2602 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002603< Searches from the directory of the current file upwards until
2604 it finds the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002605
2606fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2607 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2608 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2609 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2610 Example: >
2611 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2612< results in: >
2613 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2614< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2615 |expand()| first then.
2616
2617foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2618 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2619 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2620 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2621
2622foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2623 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2624 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2625 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2626
2627foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2628 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2629 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2630 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2631 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2632 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2633 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2634 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2635 previous line is usually available.
2636
2637 *foldtext()*
2638foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2639 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2640 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2641 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2642 The returned string looks like this: >
2643 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2644< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2645 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2646 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2647 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2648 options is removed.
2649 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2650
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002651foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2652 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2653 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2654 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2655 returned.
2656 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2657 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2658 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2659 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2660
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002661 *foreground()*
2662foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2663 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2664 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2665 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2666 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2667 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2668 Win32 console version}
2669
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002670
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002671function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002672 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002673 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2674
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002675
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00002676garbagecollect([at_exit]) *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002677 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002678 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2679 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2680 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2681 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2682 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002683 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
2684 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
2685 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00002686 When the optional "at_exit" argument is one, garbage
2687 collection will also be done when exiting Vim, if it wasn't
2688 done before. This is useful when checking for memory leaks.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002689
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002690get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002691 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002692 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2693 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002694get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002695 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002696 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2697 {default} is omitted.
2698
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002699 *getbufline()*
2700getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002701 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2702 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
2703 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002704
2705 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2706
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002707 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2708 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002709
2710 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002711 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002712
2713 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2714 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002715 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002716 returned.
2717
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002718 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002719 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002720
2721 Example: >
2722 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002723
2724getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2725 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2726 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2727 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002728 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2729 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2730 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002731 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2732 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2733 returned, there is no error message.
2734 Examples: >
2735 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2736 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2737<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002738getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002739 Get a single character from the user or input stream.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002740 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2741 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002742 Return zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002743 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002744 not consumed. Return zero if no character available.
2745
2746 Without {expr} and when {expr} is 0 a whole character or
2747 special key is returned. If it is an 8-bit character, the
2748 result is a number. Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2749 Otherwise a String is returned with the encoded character.
2750 For a special key it's a sequence of bytes starting with 0x80
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00002751 (decimal: 128). This is the same value as the string
2752 "\<Key>", e.g., "\<Left>". The returned value is also a
2753 String when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used that is
2754 not included in the character.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002755
2756 When {expr} is 1 only the first byte is returned. For a
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00002757 one-byte character it is the character itself as a number.
2758 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002759
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00002760 When the user clicks a mouse button, the mouse event will be
2761 returned. The position can then be found in |v:mouse_col|,
2762 |v:mouse_lnum| and |v:mouse_win|. This example positions the
2763 mouse as it would normally happen: >
2764 let c = getchar()
2765 if c == "\<LeftMouse>" && v:mouse_win > 0
2766 exe v:mouse_win . "wincmd w"
2767 exe v:mouse_lnum
2768 exe "normal " . v:mouse_col . "|"
2769 endif
2770<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002771 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2772 user that a character has to be typed.
2773 There is no mapping for the character.
2774 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2775 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2776 sequence. Examples: >
2777 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2778 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2779< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2780 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2781 :function FindChar()
2782 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2783 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2784 : normal l
2785 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2786 : break
2787 : endif
2788 : endwhile
2789 :endfunction
2790
2791getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2792 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2793 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2794 These values are added together:
2795 2 shift
2796 4 control
2797 8 alt (meta)
2798 16 mouse double click
2799 32 mouse triple click
2800 64 mouse quadruple click
2801 128 Macintosh only: command
2802 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2803 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2804 with no modifier.
2805
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002806getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2807 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2808 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2809 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2810 Example: >
2811 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002812< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002813
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002814getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002815 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2816 byte count. The first column is 1.
2817 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2818 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002819 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2820
2821getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
2822 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
2823 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00002824 : normal Ex command
2825 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
2826 / forward search command
2827 ? backward search command
2828 @ |input()| command
2829 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002830 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2831 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
2832 otherwise.
2833 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002834
2835 *getcwd()*
2836getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2837 working directory.
2838
2839getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2840 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2841 given file {fname}.
2842 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2843 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard827ada2007-06-19 15:19:55 +00002844 If the size of {fname} is too big to fit in a Number then -2
2845 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002846
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002847getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2848 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2849 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2850 |hl-Normal|.
2851 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2852 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2853 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2854 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00002855 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002856 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2857 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002858 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2859 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002860
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002861getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2862 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2863 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2864 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2865 empty string is returned.
2866 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2867 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2868 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2869 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2870 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2871 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2872< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2873 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002874
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002875getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2876 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2877 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2878 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2879 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2880 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2881
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002882getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2883 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2884 file of the given file {fname}.
2885 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2886 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2887 results:
2888 Normal file "file"
2889 Directory "dir"
2890 Symbolic link "link"
2891 Block device "bdev"
2892 Character device "cdev"
2893 Socket "socket"
2894 FIFO "fifo"
2895 All other "other"
2896 Example: >
2897 getftype("/home")
2898< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2899 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2900 "file" are returned.
2901
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002902 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002903getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2904 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2905 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002906 getline(1)
2907< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2908 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2909 To get the line under the cursor: >
2910 getline(".")
2911< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2912 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2913
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002914 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
2915 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002916 including line {end}.
2917 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2918 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002919 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002920 Example: >
2921 :let start = line('.')
2922 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2923 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2924
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002925< To get lines from another buffer see |getbufline()|
2926
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00002927getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
2928 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
2929 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
2930 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002931 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
2932 returned. Otherwise, same as getqflist().
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002933
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00002934getmatches() *getmatches()*
2935 Returns a |List| with all matches previously defined by
2936 |matchadd()| and the |:match| commands. |getmatches()| is
2937 useful in combination with |setmatches()|, as |setmatches()|
2938 can restore a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|.
2939 Example: >
2940 :echo getmatches()
2941< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
2942 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
2943 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
2944 :let m = getmatches()
2945 :call clearmatches()
2946 :echo getmatches()
2947< [] >
2948 :call setmatches(m)
2949 :echo getmatches()
2950< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
2951 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
2952 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
2953 :unlet m
2954<
2955
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002956getqflist() *getqflist()*
2957 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2958 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2959 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2960 bufname() to get the name
2961 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2962 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002963 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2964 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002965 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00002966 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002967 text description of the error
2968 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2969 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2970
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002971 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00002972 returned. Quickfix list entries with non-existing buffer
2973 number are returned with "bufnr" set to zero.
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002974
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002975 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2976 do something with them: >
2977 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2978 :for d in getqflist()
2979 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2980 :endfor
2981
2982
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002983getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002984 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002985 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002986 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2987< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002988 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002989 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2990 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2991 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002992 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2993
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002994
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002995getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2996 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2997 The value will be one of:
2998 "v" for |characterwise| text
2999 "V" for |linewise| text
3000 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
3001 0 for an empty or unknown register
3002 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
3003 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3004
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003005gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}) *gettabwinvar()*
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003006 Get the value of window-local variable {varname} in window
3007 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
3008 When {varname} starts with "&" get the value of a window-local
3009 option.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003010 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
3011 use |getwinvar()|.
3012 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
3013 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
3014 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
3015 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003016 When {varname} is empty a dictionary with all window-local
3017 variables is returned.
3018 Note that {varname} must be the name without "w:".
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003019 Examples: >
3020 :let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
3021 :echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00003022<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003023 *getwinposx()*
3024getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
3025 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
3026 -1 if the information is not available.
3027
3028 *getwinposy()*
3029getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
3030 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
3031 information is not available.
3032
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003033getwinvar({winnr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
3034 Like |gettabwinvar()| for the current tabpage.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003035 Examples: >
3036 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
3037 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
3038<
3039 *glob()*
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003040glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. See |wildcards| for the
3041 use of special characters.
3042 The result is a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003043 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
3044 characters.
3045 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
3046 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
3047
3048 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
3049 any external command. Example: >
3050 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
3051 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
3052< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
3053 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
3054
3055 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
3056 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
3057
3058globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
3059 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
3060 the results. Example: >
3061 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
3062< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
3063 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
3064 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
3065 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
3066 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
3067 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
3068 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
3069 error message.
3070 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
3071 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
3072
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003073 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
3074 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
3075 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
3076 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
3077<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003078 *has()*
3079has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
3080 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
3081 string. See |feature-list| below.
3082 Also see |exists()|.
3083
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003084
3085has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003086 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
3087 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003088
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00003089haslocaldir() *haslocaldir()*
3090 The result is a Number, which is 1 when the current
3091 window has set a local path via |:lcd|, and 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003092
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003093hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003094 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
3095 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
3096 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
3097 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003098 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00003099 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
3100 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003101 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
3102 buffer are checked for a match.
3103 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
3104 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
3105 n Normal mode
3106 v Visual mode
3107 o Operator-pending mode
3108 i Insert mode
3109 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
3110 c Command-line mode
3111 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
3112
3113 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
3114 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
3115 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
3116 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
3117 :endif
3118< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
3119 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
3120
3121histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
3122 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
3123 one of: *hist-names*
3124 "cmd" or ":" command line history
3125 "search" or "/" search pattern history
3126 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
3127 "input" or "@" input line history
3128 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
3129 shifted to become the newest entry.
3130 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
3131 otherwise 0 is returned.
3132
3133 Example: >
3134 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
3135 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
3136< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3137
3138histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003139 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003140 for the possible values of {history}.
3141
3142 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
3143 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
3144 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
3145 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
3146 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
3147 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
3148 if it exists.
3149
3150 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
3151 otherwise 0 is returned.
3152
3153 Examples:
3154 Clear expression register history: >
3155 :call histdel("expr")
3156<
3157 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
3158 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
3159<
3160 The following three are equivalent: >
3161 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
3162 :call histdel("search", -1)
3163 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
3164<
3165 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
3166 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
3167 :call histdel("search", -1)
3168 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
3169
3170histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
3171 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
3172 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
3173 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
3174 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
3175 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
3176
3177 Examples:
3178 Redo the second last search from history. >
3179 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
3180
3181< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
3182 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
3183 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
3184<
3185histnr({history}) *histnr()*
3186 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
3187 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
3188 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
3189
3190 Example: >
3191 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
3192<
3193hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
3194 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
3195 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
3196 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
3197 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
3198 item.
3199 *highlight_exists()*
3200 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
3201
3202 *hlID()*
3203hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
3204 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
3205 zero is returned.
3206 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
3207 group. For example, to get the background color of the
3208 "Comment" group: >
3209 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
3210< *highlightID()*
3211 Obsolete name: highlightID().
3212
3213hostname() *hostname()*
3214 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003215 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003216 256 characters long are truncated.
3217
3218iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
3219 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
3220 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
3221 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
3222 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
3223 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
3224 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
3225 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
3226 can be done.
3227 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
3228 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
3229 UTF-8 and use: >
3230 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
3231< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
3232 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
3233 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
3234 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
3235
3236 *indent()*
3237indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
3238 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
3239 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
3240 |getline()|.
3241 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
3242
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003243
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003244index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003245 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003246 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003247 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
3248 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003249 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
3250 case must match.
3251 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
3252 Example: >
3253 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003254 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003255
3256
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003257input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003258 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
3259 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
3260 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003261 prompt to start a new line.
3262 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3263 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
3264 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
3265 for lines typed for input().
3266 Example: >
3267 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3268 : echo "Cheers!"
3269 :endif
3270<
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003271 If the optional {text} is present and not empty, this is used
3272 for the default reply, as if the user typed this. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003273 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3274
3275< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3276 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
3277 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
3278 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
3279 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
3280 more information. Example: >
3281 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3282<
3283 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3284 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003285 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3286 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3287 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3288 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3289 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3290 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3291 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3292
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003293 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003294 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3295 :function GetFoo()
3296 : call inputsave()
3297 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3298 : call inputrestore()
3299 :endfunction
3300
3301inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
3302 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
3303 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
3304 Example: >
3305 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3306 :if n != ""
3307 : let &sw = n
3308 :endif
3309< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3310 omitted an empty string is returned.
3311 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3312 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003313 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003314
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003315inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003316 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
3317 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
3318 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003319 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
3320 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
3321 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3322 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3323 is returned.
3324 Make sure {textlist} has less then 'lines' entries, otherwise
3325 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003326 the start of the string. And put a prompt in the first item.
3327 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003328 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3329 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3330
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003331inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
3332 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
3333 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3334 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3335 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3336
3337inputsave() *inputsave()*
3338 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3339 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3340 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3341 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3342 many inputrestore() calls.
3343 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3344
3345inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3346 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3347 two exceptions:
3348 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3349 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3350 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3351 |history| stack.
3352 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3353 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003354 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003355
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003356insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003357 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003358 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
3359 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
3360 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3361 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003362 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003363 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3364 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3365 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003366< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003367 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003368 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003369
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003370isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3371 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3372 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3373 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3374 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3375
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003376islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003377 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3378 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003379 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3380 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003381 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3382 :lockvar 1 alist
3383 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3384 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3385
3386< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003387 message. Use |exists()| to check for existence.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003388
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003389items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003390 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3391 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3392 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3393 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003394
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003395
3396join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3397 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3398 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3399 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3400 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3401 add it there too: >
3402 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003403< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003404 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3405 The opposite function is |split()|.
3406
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003407keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003408 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003409 arbitrary order.
3410
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003411 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003412len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3413 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3414 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003415 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003416 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003417 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3418 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003419 Otherwise an error is given.
3420
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003421 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3422libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3423 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3424 with single argument {argument}.
3425 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3426 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3427 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3428 limited.
3429 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3430 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3431 to Vim.
3432 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3433 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3434 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3435 null-terminated string.
3436 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3437
3438 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3439 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3440 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3441 very probably crash.
3442
3443 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3444 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3445 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3446 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3447 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3448 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3449 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3450 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3451 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3452 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3453
3454 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
3455 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
3456 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3457 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3458 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3459 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3460 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3461 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3462 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3463 feature is present}
3464 Examples: >
3465 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
3466 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
3467<
3468 *libcallnr()*
3469libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3470 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3471 int instead of a string.
3472 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3473 feature is present}
3474 Example (not very useful...): >
3475 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3476 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3477<
3478 *line()*
3479line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3480 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3481 . the cursor position
3482 $ the last line in the current buffer
3483 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3484 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003485 w0 first line visible in current window
3486 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003487 Note that a mark in another file can be used. The line number
3488 then applies to another buffer.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003489 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
3490 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003491 Examples: >
3492 line(".") line number of the cursor
3493 line("'t") line number of mark t
3494 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3495< *last-position-jump*
3496 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3497 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3498 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003499
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003500line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3501 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3502 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3503 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3504 line returns 1.
3505 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3506 below the last line: >
3507 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3508< This is the file size plus one.
3509 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3510 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3511 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3512
3513lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3514 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3515 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3516 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3517 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3518 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3519 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3520
3521localtime() *localtime()*
3522 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3523 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3524
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003525
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003526map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003527 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003528 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3529 {string}.
3530 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003531 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003532 Example: >
3533 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003534< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003535
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003536 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003537 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003538 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3539 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003540
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003541 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3542 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003543 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003544
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003545< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003546 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3547 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003548
3549
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003550maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *maparg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003551 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3552 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003553 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003554 "n" Normal
3555 "v" Visual
3556 "o" Operator-pending
3557 "i" Insert
3558 "c" Cmd-line
3559 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3560 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003561 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003562 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3563 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003564 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3565 command. The returned String has special characters
3566 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3567 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3568 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00003569 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
3570 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
3571 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
3572
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003573
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003574mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003575 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3576 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3577 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003578 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3579 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003580 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3581 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3582
3583 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3584 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3585 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3586 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3587 mapcheck("b") no no no
3588
3589 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3590 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3591 mapping for {name} exactly.
3592 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3593 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3594 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3595 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3596 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3597 then the global mappings.
3598 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3599 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3600 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3601 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3602 :endif
3603< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3604 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3605
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003606match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003607 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
3608 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003609 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003610 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3611 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3612 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003613 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003614 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3615 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003616 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003617 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003618< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003619 *strpbrk()*
3620 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3621 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3622< *strcasestr()*
3623 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3624 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3625 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3626<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003627 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003628 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003629 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003630 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003631 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3632< result is again "4". >
3633 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3634< result is again "4". >
3635 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3636< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003637 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003638 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
3639 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
3640 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
3641 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003642 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3643 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003644 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
3645 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003646
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003647 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003648 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003649 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
3650 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
3651< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003652 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
3653 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003654
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003655 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3656 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3657 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3658 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3659
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003660 *matchadd()* *E798* *E799* *E801*
3661matchadd({group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
3662 Defines a pattern to be highlighted in the current window (a
3663 "match"). It will be highlighted with {group}. Returns an
3664 identification number (ID), which can be used to delete the
3665 match using |matchdelete()|.
3666
3667 The optional {priority} argument assigns a priority to the
3668 match. A match with a high priority will have its
3669 highlighting overrule that of a match with a lower priority.
3670 A priority is specified as an integer (negative numbers are no
3671 exception). If the {priority} argument is not specified, the
3672 default priority is 10. The priority of 'hlsearch' is zero,
3673 hence all matches with a priority greater than zero will
3674 overrule it. Syntax highlighting (see 'syntax') is a separate
3675 mechanism, and regardless of the chosen priority a match will
3676 always overrule syntax highlighting.
3677
3678 The optional {id} argument allows the request for a specific
3679 match ID. If a specified ID is already taken, an error
3680 message will appear and the match will not be added. An ID
3681 is specified as a positive integer (zero excluded). IDs 1, 2
3682 and 3 are reserved for |:match|, |:2match| and |:3match|,
3683 respectively. If the {id} argument is not specified,
3684 |matchadd()| automatically chooses a free ID.
3685
3686 The number of matches is not limited, as it is the case with
3687 the |:match| commands.
3688
3689 Example: >
3690 :highlight MyGroup ctermbg=green guibg=green
3691 :let m = matchadd("MyGroup", "TODO")
3692< Deletion of the pattern: >
3693 :call matchdelete(m)
3694
3695< A list of matches defined by |matchadd()| and |:match| are
3696 available from |getmatches()|. All matches can be deleted in
3697 one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003698
3699matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003700 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003701 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
3702 Return a |List| with two elements:
3703 The name of the highlight group used
3704 The pattern used.
3705 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
3706 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003707 This is useful to save and restore a |:match|.
3708 Highlighting matches using the |:match| commands are limited
3709 to three matches. |matchadd()| does not have this limitation.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003710
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003711matchdelete({id}) *matchdelete()* *E802* *E803*
3712 Deletes a match with ID {id} previously defined by |matchadd()|
3713 or one of the |:match| commands. Returns 0 if succesfull,
3714 otherwise -1. See example for |matchadd()|. All matches can
3715 be deleted in one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003716
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003717matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003718 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3719 the match. Example: >
3720 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3721< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003722 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3723 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3724 do it with matchend(): >
3725 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3726 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3727< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3728
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003729 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3730 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3731< results in "7". >
3732 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3733< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003734 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003735
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003736matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003737 Same as match(), but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003738 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3739 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00003740 in |:substitute|. When an optional submatch didn't match an
3741 empty string is used. Example: >
3742 echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
3743< Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003744 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3745
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003746matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003747 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3748 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3749< results in "ing".
3750 When there is no match "" is returned.
3751 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3752 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3753< results in "ing". >
3754 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3755< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003756 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003757 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003758
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003759 *max()*
3760max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3761 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3762 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003763 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003764
3765 *min()*
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00003766min({list}) Return the minimum value of all items in {list}.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003767 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3768 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003769 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003770
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003771 *mkdir()* *E739*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003772mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3773 Create directory {name}.
3774 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3775 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3776 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3777 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3778 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3779 for others.
3780 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3781 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3782 :if exists("*mkdir")
3783<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003784 *mode()*
3785mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3786 n Normal
3787 v Visual by character
3788 V Visual by line
3789 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3790 s Select by character
3791 S Select by line
3792 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3793 i Insert
3794 R Replace
3795 c Command-line
3796 r Hit-enter prompt
3797 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3798 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3799
3800nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3801 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3802 that is not blank. Example: >
3803 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3804< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3805 below it, zero is returned.
3806 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3807
3808nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3809 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3810 value {expr}. Examples: >
3811 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3812 nr2char(32) returns " "
3813< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3814 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3815< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3816 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3817 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003818 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003819
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003820 *getpos()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003821getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
3822 see |line()|.
3823 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
3824 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
3825 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
3826 is the buffer number of the mark.
3827 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
3828 column is 1.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003829 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
3830 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00003831 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003832 character.
3833 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
3834 let save_cursor = getpos(".")
3835 MoveTheCursorAround
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00003836 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003837< Also see |setpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003838
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003839pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
3840 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
3841 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
3842 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
3843 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
3844 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
3845< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
3846 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
3847
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003848prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3849 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3850 that is not blank. Example: >
3851 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3852< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3853 above it, zero is returned.
3854 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3855
3856
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003857printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
3858 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
3859 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003860 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003861< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003862 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003863
3864 Often used items are:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003865 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003866 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
3867 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003868 %c single byte
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003869 %d decimal number
3870 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
3871 %x hex number
3872 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
3873 %X hex number using upper case letters
3874 %o octal number
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003875 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003876
3877 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
3878 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
3879 the result.
3880
3881 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003882 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003883
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003884 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003885
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003886 flags
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003887 Zero or more of the following flags:
3888
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003889 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
3890 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
3891 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
3892 of the number is increased to force the first
3893 character of the output string to a zero (except
3894 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
3895 precision of zero).
3896 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
3897 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
3898 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003899
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003900 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
3901 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
3902 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
3903 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
3904 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003905
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003906 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
3907 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
3908 The converted value is padded on the right with
3909 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
3910 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003911
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003912 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
3913 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003914
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003915 + A sign must always be placed before a number
3916 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
3917 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003918
3919 field-width
3920 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003921 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
3922 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
3923 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
3924 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003925
3926 .precision
3927 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
3928 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
3929 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
3930 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
3931 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003932 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003933
3934 type
3935 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
3936 be applied, see below.
3937
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003938 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
3939 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
3940 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
3941 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
3942 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
3943 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003944 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003945< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003946 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003947
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003948 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003949
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003950 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
3951 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
3952 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
3953 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003954 conversions.
3955 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
3956 digits that must appear; if the converted value
3957 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
3958 zeros.
3959 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
3960 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
3961 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
3962 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
3963
3964 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
3965 resulting character is written.
3966
3967 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
3968 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
3969 specified are used.
3970
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003971 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
3972 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003973
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003974 Each argument can be Number or String and is converted
3975 automatically to fit the conversion specifier. Any other
3976 argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003977
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00003978 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003979 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
3980 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003981 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003982
3983
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003984pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
3985 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
3986 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00003987 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
3988 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003989
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003990 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003991range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003992 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003993 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3994 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3995 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3996 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3997 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003998 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
3999 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
4000 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004001 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004002 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004003 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
4004 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004005 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00004006 range(0) " []
4007 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004008<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004009 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004010readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004011 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
4012 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004013 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
4014 NL appears somewhere).
4015 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
4016 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
4017 added.
4018 - No CR characters are removed.
4019 Otherwise:
4020 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
4021 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
4022 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004023 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
4024 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
4025 lines of a file: >
4026 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
4027 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
4028 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004029< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
4030 are returned, or as many as there are.
4031 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004032 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
4033 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
4034 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004035 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
4036 the result is an empty list.
4037 Also see |writefile()|.
4038
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004039reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
4040 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
4041 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
4042 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
4043 Without an argument it returns the current time.
4044 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
4045 specified in the argument.
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004046 With two arguments it returns the time passed between {start}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004047 and {end}.
4048 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
4049 reltime().
4050 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
4051
4052reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
4053 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
4054 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
4055 microseconds. Example: >
4056 let start = reltime()
4057 call MyFunction()
4058 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
4059< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
4060 The accuracy depends on the system.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004061 Leading spaces are used to make the string align nicely. You
4062 can use split() to remove it. >
4063 echo split(reltimestr(reltime(start)))[0]
4064< Also see |profiling|.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004065 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
4066
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004067 *remote_expr()* *E449*
4068remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
4069 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
4070 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004071 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
4072 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
4073 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004074 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
4075 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
4076 remote_read() is stored there.
4077 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4078 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4079 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4080 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
4081 and the result will be the empty string.
4082 Examples: >
4083 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
4084 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
4085<
4086
4087remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
4088 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
4089 This works like: >
4090 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
4091< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
4092 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
4093 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004094 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
4095 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004096 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4097 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
4098 Win32 console version}
4099
4100
4101remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
4102 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
4103 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
4104 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
4105 name of a variable.
4106 Returns zero if none are available.
4107 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
4108 See also |clientserver|.
4109 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4110 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4111 Examples: >
4112 :let repl = ""
4113 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
4114
4115remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
4116 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
4117 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
4118 See also |clientserver|.
4119 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4120 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4121 Example: >
4122 :echo remote_read(id)
4123<
4124 *remote_send()* *E241*
4125remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004126 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
4127 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
4128 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004129 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
4130 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
4131 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004132 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4133 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4134 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4135 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
4136 up the display.
4137 Examples: >
4138 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
4139 \ remote_read(serverid)
4140
4141 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
4142 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
4143 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
4144 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004145<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004146remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004147 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004148 return it.
4149 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
4150 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
4151 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
4152 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
4153 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004154 Example: >
4155 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004156 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004157remove({dict}, {key})
4158 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
4159 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
4160< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
4161
4162 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004163
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004164rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
4165 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
4166 should also work to move files across file systems. The
4167 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
4168 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
4169 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4170
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004171repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
4172 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
4173 result. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004174 :let separator = repeat('-', 80)
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004175< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004176 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004177 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004178 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
4179< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004180
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004181
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004182resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
4183 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
4184 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
4185 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
4186 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
4187 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
4188 stopped after 100 iterations.
4189 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
4190 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
4191 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
4192 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
4193 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
4194
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004195 *reverse()*
4196reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
4197 {list}.
4198 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4199 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
4200
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004201search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004202 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004203 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004204
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004205 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
4206 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004207 'c' accept a match at the cursor position
4208 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004209 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004210 'p' return number of matching sub-pattern (see below)
4211 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004212 'w' wrap around the end of the file
4213 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
4214 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
4215
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00004216 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
4217 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
4218 flag.
4219
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004220 'ignorecase', 'smartcase' and 'magic' are used.
4221
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004222 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
4223 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
4224 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
4225 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
4226 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
4227< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
4228 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
4229
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004230 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
4231 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004232 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
4233 *search()-sub-match*
4234 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
4235 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
4236 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004237 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004238
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004239 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
4240 flag is used.
4241
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004242 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
4243 :let n = 1
4244 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
4245 : exe "argument " . n
4246 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
4247 : " first search to find match at start of file
4248 : normal G$
4249 : let flags = "w"
4250 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
4251 : s/foo/bar/g
4252 : let flags = "W"
4253 : endwhile
4254 : update " write the file if modified
4255 : let n = n + 1
4256 :endwhile
4257<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004258 Example for using some flags: >
4259 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
4260< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
4261 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
4262 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
4263 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
4264 line:
4265 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
4266 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
4267 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
4268 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
4269 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
4270
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004271
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004272searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
4273 Search for the declaration of {name}.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004274
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004275 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
4276 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
4277 first match in the function.
4278
4279 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
4280 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
4281 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
4282
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004283 Moves the cursor to the found match.
4284 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4285 Example: >
4286 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
4287 echo getline('.')
4288 endif
4289<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004290 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004291searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004292 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
4293 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
4294 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004295 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
4296 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
4297 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
4298 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
4299 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
4300 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004301
4302 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
4303 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
4304 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
4305 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
4306 typical use is: >
4307 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
4308< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
4309
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004310 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
4311 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004312 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
4313 outer pair
4314 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004315 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004316
4317 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
4318 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
4319 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
4320 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
4321 or a string.
4322 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
4323 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
4324 and -1 returned.
4325
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004326 For {stopline} see |search()|.
4327
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004328 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
4329 patterns are used like it's on.
4330
4331 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
4332 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
4333 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
4334 if 1
4335 if 2
4336 endif 2
4337 endif 1
4338< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
4339 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
4340 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
4341 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
4342 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
4343 "endif 2".
4344 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
4345 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
4346 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
4347 the matching start.
4348
4349 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
4350
4351 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
4352 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
4353
4354< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
4355 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
4356 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
4357 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
4358 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
4359 match.
4360 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
4361
4362 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
4363
4364< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
4365 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
4366 highlighting recognized as strings: >
4367
4368 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
4369 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
4370<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004371 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004372searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004373 Same as searchpair(), but returns a |List| with the line and
4374 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4375 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004376 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4377 returns [0, 0].
4378>
4379 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
4380<
4381 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
4382
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004383searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *searchpos()*
4384 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004385 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4386 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
4387 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4388 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004389 Example: >
4390 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
4391
4392< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
4393 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
4394 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
4395< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
4396 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
4397
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004398server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
4399 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
4400 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
4401 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4402 Note:
4403 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004404 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004405 before calling any commands that waits for input.
4406 See also |clientserver|.
4407 Example: >
4408 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
4409<
4410serverlist() *serverlist()*
4411 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
4412 When there are no servers or the information is not available
4413 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
4414 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4415 Example: >
4416 :echo serverlist()
4417<
4418setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
4419 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
4420 {val}.
4421 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
4422 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
4423 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
4424 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
4425 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
4426 Examples: >
4427 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
4428 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
4429< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4430
4431setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
4432 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
4433 {pos}. The first position is 1.
4434 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
4435 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004436 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
4437 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
4438 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
4439 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
4440 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004441 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
4442 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
4443 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
4444 line.
4445
4446setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004447 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
4448 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004449 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
4450 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004451 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
4452 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004453 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004454< When {line} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004455 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
4456 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
4457< This is equivalent to: >
4458 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
4459 : call setline(n, l)
4460 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004461< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
4462
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004463setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
4464 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
4465 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004466 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
4467 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004468 Otherwise, same as |setqflist()|.
4469 Also see |location-list|.
4470
4471setmatches({list}) *setmatches()*
4472 Restores a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|. Returns 0
4473 if succesfull, otherwise -1. All current matches are cleared
4474 before the list is restored. See example for |getmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004475
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004476 *setpos()*
4477setpos({expr}, {list})
4478 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
4479 . the cursor
4480 'x mark x
4481
4482 {list} must be a |List| with four numbers:
4483 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4484
4485 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004486 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004487 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
4488 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
4489 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004490 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004491
4492 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4493 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark.
4494
4495 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
4496 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00004497 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004498 character.
4499
4500 Also see |getpos()|
4501
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004502 This does not restore the preferred column for moving
4503 vertically. See |winrestview()| for that.
4504
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004505
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004506setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004507 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
4508 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
4509 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
4510 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004511
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004512 bufnr buffer number; must be the number of a valid
4513 buffer
4514 filename name of a file; only used when "bufnr" is not
4515 present or it is invalid.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004516 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004517 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004518 col column number
4519 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004520 when zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004521 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004522 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004523 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004524
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004525 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
4526 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
4527 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004528 If the "filename" and "bufnr" entries are not present or
4529 neither the "lnum" or "pattern" entries are present, then the
4530 item will not be handled as an error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004531 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
4532 be used.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004533 Note that the list is not exactly the same as what
4534 |getqflist()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004535
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004536 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
4537 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
4538 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
4539 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
4540 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
4541 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
4542
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004543 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
4544
4545 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
4546 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
4547 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
4548
4549
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004550 *setreg()*
4551setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
4552 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
4553 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
4554 then the value is appended.
4555 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
4556 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
4557 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
4558 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
4559 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
4560 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
4561 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00004562 in the longest line (counting a <Tab> as 1 character).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004563
4564 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
4565 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
4566 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
4567 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4568
4569 Examples: >
4570 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
4571 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
4572 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
4573
4574< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
4575 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004576 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004577 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
4578 ....
4579 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
4580
4581< You can also change the type of a register by appending
4582 nothing: >
4583 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
4584
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004585settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabwinvar()*
4586 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
4587 {val}.
4588 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
4589 use |setwinvar()|.
4590 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004591 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
4592 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
4593 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
4594 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004595 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
4596 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
4597 Examples: >
4598 :call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
4599 :call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
4600< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4601
4602setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
4603 Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004604 Examples: >
4605 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
4606 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004607
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00004608shellescape({string}) *shellescape()*
4609 Escape {string} for use as shell command argument.
4610 On MS-Windows and MS-DOS, when 'shellslash' is not set, it
4611 will enclose {string} double quotes and double all double
4612 quotes within {string}.
4613 For other systems, it will enclose {string} in single quotes
4614 and replace all "'" with "'\''".
4615 Example: >
4616 :echo shellescape('c:\program files\vim')
4617< results in:
4618 "c:\program files\vim" ~
4619 Example usage: >
4620 :call system("chmod +x -- " . shellescape(expand("%")))
4621
4622
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004623simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
4624 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
4625 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
4626 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
4627 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
4628 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
4629 not removed either.
4630 Example: >
4631 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
4632< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
4633 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
4634 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
4635 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
4636 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
4637
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004638
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004639sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004640 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
4641 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4642 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
4643< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004644 Numbers sort after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004645 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004646 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004647 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
4648 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004649 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
4650 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
4651 sorts before the second one. Example: >
4652 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
4653 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
4654 endfunc
4655 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004656<
4657
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004658 *soundfold()*
4659soundfold({word})
4660 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
4661 language in 'spellang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004662 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
4663 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004664 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
4665 the method can be quite slow.
4666
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004667 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004668spellbadword([{sentence}])
4669 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
4670 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
4671 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
4672 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
4673
4674 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
4675 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
4676 result is an empty string.
4677
4678 The return value is a list with two items:
4679 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
4680 - The type of the spelling error:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004681 "bad" spelling mistake
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004682 "rare" rare word
4683 "local" word only valid in another region
4684 "caps" word should start with Capital
4685 Example: >
4686 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
4687< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
4688
4689 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
4690 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
4691 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004692
4693 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004694spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004695 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004696 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
4697 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
4698
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004699 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
4700 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
4701 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
4702
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004703 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
4704 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00004705 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
4706 replace a line.
4707
4708 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004709 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
4710 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004711
4712 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004713 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
4714 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004715
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004716
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004717split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004718 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
4719 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
4720 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004721 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004722 removing the matched characters.
4723 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
4724 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00004725 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
4726 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004727 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004728 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004729< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004730 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00004731< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
4732 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
4733< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004734 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
4735 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
4736< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004737
4738
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004739str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
4740 Convert string {expr} to a number.
4741 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 8, 10 or 16.
4742 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
4743 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
4744 with the default String to Number conversion.
4745 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
4746 different base the result will be zero.
4747 Text after the number is silently ignored.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004748
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004749
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004750strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
4751 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
4752 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
4753 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
4754 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
4755 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
4756 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
4757 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
4758 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
4759 Examples: >
4760 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
4761 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
4762 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
4763 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
4764 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
4765 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004766< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4767 :if exists("*strftime")
4768
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004769stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
4770 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4771 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004772 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
4773 This can be used to find a second match: >
4774 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
4775 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
4776< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004777 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004778 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004779 See also |strridx()|.
4780 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004781 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
4782 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
4783 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004784< *strstr()* *strchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004785 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
4786 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
4787
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004788 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004789string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
4790 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
4791 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004792 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004793 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004794 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004795 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004796 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004797 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004798 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004799 Also see |strtrans()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004800
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004801 *strlen()*
4802strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004803 {expr} in bytes.
4804 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
4805 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004806
4807 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004808<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004809 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
4810 For other types an error is given.
4811 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004812
4813strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
4814 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004815 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004816 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
4817 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
4818 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
4819 end of the {src}. >
4820 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
4821 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
4822 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
4823 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
4824< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
4825 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00004826 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004827<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004828strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
4829 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4830 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
4831 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
4832 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
4833 match: >
4834 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
4835 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
4836< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004837 For pattern searches use |match()|.
4838 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004839 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004840 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004841 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004842< *strrchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004843 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
4844 function strrchr().
4845
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004846strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
4847 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
4848 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
4849 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
4850 echo strtrans(@a)
4851< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
4852 starting a new line.
4853
4854submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
4855 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
4856 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
4857 the whole matched text is returned.
4858 Example: >
4859 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
4860< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
4861 A line break is included as a newline character.
4862
4863substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
4864 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
4865 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
4866 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
4867 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
4868 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004869 'ignorecase' is still relevant. 'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004870 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
4871 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
4872 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
4873 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
4874 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
4875 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
4876 unmodified.
4877 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
4878 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
4879 Example: >
4880 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
4881< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
4882 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
4883< results in "TESTING".
4884
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004885synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004886 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004887 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004888 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
4889 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004890
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004891 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004892 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
4893
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004894 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
4895 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
4896 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
4897 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
4898 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
4899 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
4900 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
4901
4902 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
4903 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
4904<
4905synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
4906 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
4907 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
4908 about a syntax item.
4909 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
4910 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
4911 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
4912 used (GUI, cterm or term).
4913 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
4914 {what} result
4915 "name" the name of the syntax item
4916 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
4917 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
4918 term: empty string)
4919 "bg" background color (like "fg")
4920 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
4921 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
4922 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
4923 "bold" "1" if bold
4924 "italic" "1" if italic
4925 "reverse" "1" if reverse
4926 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
4927 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004928 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004929
4930 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
4931 cursor): >
4932 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
4933<
4934synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
4935 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
4936 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
4937 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
4938 ":highlight link" are followed.
4939
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004940system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
4941 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
4942 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
4943 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
4944 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004945 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004946 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
4947 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
4948 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004949 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
4950 The result is a String. Example: >
4951
4952 :let files = system("ls")
4953
4954< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
4955 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
4956 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
4957 The command executed is constructed using several options:
4958 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
4959 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
4960 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
4961 concatenated commands.
4962
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004963 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
4964 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
4965
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004966 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
4967 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00004968
4969 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
4970 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
4971 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004972 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
4973 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
4974
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004975
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004976tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004977 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004978 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
4979 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
4980 omitted the current tab page is used.
4981 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
4982 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
4983 tablist = []
4984 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
4985 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
4986 endfor
4987< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
4988
4989
4990tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004991 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4992 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
4993 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
4994 page is returned (the tab page count).
4995 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
4996
4997
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004998tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
4999 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {arg}.
5000 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
5001 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
5002 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
5003 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
5004 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
5005 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
5006 Useful examples: >
5007 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
5008 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
5009< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
5010
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00005011 *tagfiles()*
5012tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
5013 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
5014
5015
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005016taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
5017 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00005018 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
5019 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005020 name Name of the tag.
5021 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005022 defined. It is either relative to the
5023 current directory or a full path.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005024 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
5025 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005026 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005027 entry depends on the language specific
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005028 kind values. Only available when
5029 using a tags file generated by
5030 Exuberant ctags or hdrtag.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005031 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005032 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005033 More entries may be present, depending on the content of the
5034 tags file: access, implementation, inherits and signature.
5035 Refer to the ctags documentation for information about these
5036 fields. For C code the fields "struct", "class" and "enum"
5037 may appear, they give the name of the entity the tag is
5038 contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005039
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00005040 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
5041 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005042
5043 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
5044
5045 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
5046 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
5047 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
5048
5049 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
5050 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
5051 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
5052
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005053tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
5054 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
5055 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
5056 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
5057 :let tmpfile = tempname()
5058 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
5059< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
5060 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
5061 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
5062 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
5063 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
5064 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
5065
5066tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
5067 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
5068 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
5069 the string).
5070
5071toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
5072 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
5073 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
5074 the string).
5075
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00005076tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
5077 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
5078 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
5079 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
5080 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
5081 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
5082 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
5083
5084 Examples: >
5085 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
5086< returns "Hello THere" >
5087 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
5088< returns "{blob}"
5089
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005090 *type()*
5091type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005092 Number: 0
5093 String: 1
5094 Funcref: 2
5095 List: 3
5096 Dictionary: 4
5097 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005098 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
5099 :if type(myvar) == type("")
5100 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
5101 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005102 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005103
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005104values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005105 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
5106 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005107
5108
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005109virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
5110 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
5111 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
5112 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
5113 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
5114 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
5115 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
5116 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00005117 For the byte position use |col()|.
5118 For the use of {expr} see |col()|.
5119 When 'virtualedit' is used {expr} can be [lnum, col, off], where
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005120 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005121 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005122 character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005123 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
5124 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
5125 The accepted positions are:
5126 . the cursor position
5127 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
5128 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
5129 plus one)
5130 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
5131 returned)
5132 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
5133 Examples: >
5134 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
5135 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
5136 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
5137< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005138 A more advanced example that echoes the maximum length of
5139 all lines: >
5140 echo max(map(range(1, line('$')), "virtcol([v:val, '$'])"))
5141
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005142
5143visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
5144 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005145 used in the current buffer. Initially it returns an empty
5146 string, but once Visual mode has been used, it returns "v",
5147 "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a single CTRL-V character) for
5148 character-wise, line-wise, or block-wise Visual mode
5149 respectively.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005150 Example: >
5151 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
5152< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
5153 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
5154 Visual mode that was used.
5155
5156 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
5157 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
5158 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
5159 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
5160
5161 *winbufnr()*
5162winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005163 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005164 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
5165 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5166 Example: >
5167 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
5168<
5169 *wincol()*
5170wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
5171 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
5172 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
5173
5174winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
5175 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
5176 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
5177 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5178 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
5179 Examples: >
5180 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
5181<
5182 *winline()*
5183winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
5184 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
5185 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00005186 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
5187 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005188
5189 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005190winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
5191 window. The top window has number 1.
5192 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00005193 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005194 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
5195 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005196 If there is no previous window or it is in another tab page 0
5197 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005198 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
5199 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005200 Also see |tabpagewinnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005201
5202 *winrestcmd()*
5203winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
5204 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005205 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
5206 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005207 Example: >
5208 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
5209 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
5210 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005211<
5212 *winrestview()*
5213winrestview({dict})
5214 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
5215 the view of the current window.
5216 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
5217 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
5218
5219 *winsaveview()*
5220winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
5221 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
5222 restore the view.
5223 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
5224 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
5225 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005226 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
5227 not opened when moving around.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005228 The return value includes:
5229 lnum cursor line number
5230 col cursor column
5231 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
5232 curswant column for vertical movement
5233 topline first line in the window
5234 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
5235 leftcol first column displayed
5236 skipcol columns skipped
5237 Note that no option values are saved.
5238
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005239
5240winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
5241 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
5242 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
5243 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5244 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
5245 Examples: >
5246 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
5247 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
5248 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
5249 :endif
5250<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005251 *writefile()*
5252writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005253 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005254 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
5255 Number.
5256 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
5257 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
5258 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
5259 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
5260 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
5261 to writefile().
5262 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
5263 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
5264 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
5265 fails.
5266 Also see |readfile()|.
5267 To copy a file byte for byte: >
5268 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
5269 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
5270<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005271
5272 *feature-list*
5273There are three types of features:
52741. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
5275 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
5276 :if has("cindent")
52772. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
5278 Example: >
5279 :if has("gui_running")
5280< *has-patch*
52813. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
5282 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
5283 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
5284 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005285< Note that it's possible for patch 147 to be omitted even though 148 is
5286 included.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005287
5288all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
5289amiga Amiga version of Vim.
5290arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
5291arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00005292autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005293balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00005294balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005295beos BeOS version of Vim.
5296browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
5297 work.
5298builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
5299byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
5300cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
5301clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
5302clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
5303cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
5304cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
5305cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
5306comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
5307cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
5308cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
5309compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
5310debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
5311dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
5312dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
5313diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
5314digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
5315dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
5316dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
5317dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
5318ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
5319emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
5320eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
5321 true, of course!
5322ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
5323extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
5324 |'hlsearch'|
5325farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
5326file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005327filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
5328 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005329find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
5330 |+find_in_path|.
5331fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
5332 Windows this is not present).
5333folding Compiled with |folding| support.
5334footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
5335fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
5336gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
5337gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
5338gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005339gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
5340gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
5341gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
5342gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
5343gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
5344gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
5345gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
5346gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
5347hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
5348iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
5349insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
5350 Insert mode.
5351jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
5352keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
5353langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
5354libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
5355linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
5356 support.
5357lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
5358listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
5359 and the argument list |arglist|.
5360localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
5361mac Macintosh version of Vim.
5362macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
5363menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
5364mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
5365modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
5366mouse Compiled with support mouse.
5367mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
5368mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
5369mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
5370mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
5371mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
5372mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
5373multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
5374multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
5375multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00005376mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005377netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00005378netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005379ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
5380os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
5381osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
5382path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
5383perl Compiled with Perl interface.
5384postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
5385printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005386profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005387python Compiled with Python interface.
5388qnx QNX version of Vim.
5389quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00005390reltime Compiled with |reltime()| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005391rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
5392ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
5393scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
5394showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
5395signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
5396smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00005397sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005398statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
5399 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
5400sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00005401spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
5402syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005403syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
5404 current buffer.
5405system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
5406tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
5407 |tag-binary-search|.
5408tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
5409 |tag-old-static|.
5410tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
5411 files |tag-any-white|.
5412tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
5413terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
5414termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
5415textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
5416tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
5417 or terminfo file.
5418title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
5419toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
5420unix Unix version of Vim.
5421user_commands User-defined commands.
5422viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
5423vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
5424vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
5425virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
5426visual Compiled with Visual mode.
5427visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
5428 |blockwise-operators|.
5429vms VMS version of Vim.
5430vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
5431wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
5432wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
5433windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
5434winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
5435win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
5436win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
5437win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
5438win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
5439win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
5440writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
5441xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
5442xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
5443xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
5444xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
5445xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
5446xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
5447 xterm screen.
5448x11 Compiled with X11 support.
5449
5450 *string-match*
5451Matching a pattern in a String
5452
5453A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
5454the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
5455everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
5456like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
5457line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
5458with ".". Example: >
5459 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
5460 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
5461 aa
5462 xx
5463 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
5464 a
5465 x
5466
5467Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
5468"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
5469"\n".
5470
5471==============================================================================
54725. Defining functions *user-functions*
5473
5474New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
5475functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
5476commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
5477
5478The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
5479builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
5480avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
5481the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
5482
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005483It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
5484|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005485
5486 *local-function*
5487A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
5488can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
5489and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
5490function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
5491instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
5492
5493 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
5494:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
5495
5496:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005497 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5498 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005499 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005500
5501:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
5502 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
5503 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005504<
5505 *:function-verbose*
5506When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
5507last defined. Example: >
5508
5509 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
5510 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
5511 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
5512<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00005513See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005514
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005515 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005516:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005517 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
5518 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
5519 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005520
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005521 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5522 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005523 :function dict.init(arg)
5524< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
5525 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
5526 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
5527 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
5528 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
5529 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005530 *E127* *E122*
5531 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
5532 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
5533 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
5534 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005535
5536 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
5537
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005538 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
5539 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
5540 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
5541 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
5542 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
5543 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
5544 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005545
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005546 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
5547 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005548
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005549 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005550 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005551 local variable "self" will then be set to the
5552 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005553
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00005554 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
5555 will not be changed by the function.
5556
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005557 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
5558:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
5559 by its own, without other commands.
5560
5561 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
5562:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005563 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5564 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005565 :delfunc dict.init
5566< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
5567 function is deleted if there are no more references to
5568 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005569 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
5570:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
5571 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
5572 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
5573 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
5574 the number 0 is returned.
5575 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
5576 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
5577
5578 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
5579 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
5580 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
5581 are executed first. This process applies to all
5582 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
5583 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
5584
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005585 *function-argument* *a:var*
5586An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
5587be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005588 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740* *...*
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005589Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
5590arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
5591may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
5592as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005593can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
5594that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005595 *E742*
5596The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005597However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can changes their contents.
5598Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
5599it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
5600|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005601
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005602When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
5603to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
5604may be larger.
5605
5606It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
5607still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
5608until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
5609inside a function body.
5610
5611 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005612Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
5613will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
5614accessed with "g:".
5615
5616Example: >
5617 :function Table(title, ...)
5618 : echohl Title
5619 : echo a:title
5620 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005621 : echo a:0 . " items:"
5622 : for s in a:000
5623 : echon ' ' . s
5624 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005625 :endfunction
5626
5627This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005628 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
5629 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005630
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005631To return more than one value, return a |List|: >
5632 :function Compute(n1, n2)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005633 : if a:n2 == 0
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005634 : return ["fail", 0]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005635 : endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005636 : return ["ok", a:n1 / a:n2]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005637 :endfunction
5638
5639This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005640 :let [success, div] = Compute(102, 6)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005641 :if success == "ok"
5642 : echo div
5643 :endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005644<
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00005645 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005646:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
5647 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
5648 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005649 used. The returned value is discarded.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005650 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
5651 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
5652 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
5653 function.
5654 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
5655 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
5656 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
5657 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
5658 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
5659 this works:
5660 *function-range-example* >
5661 :function Mynumber(arg)
5662 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
5663 :endfunction
5664 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
5665<
5666 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
5667 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
5668 the range.
5669
5670 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
5671
5672 :function Cont() range
5673 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
5674 :endfunction
5675 :4,8call Cont()
5676<
5677 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
5678 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
5679
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005680 When the function returns a composite value it can be further
5681 dereferenced, but the range will not be used then. Example: >
5682 :4,8call GetDict().method()
5683< Here GetDict() gets the range but method() does not.
5684
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005685 *E132*
5686The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
5687option.
5688
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005689
5690AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005691 *autoload-functions*
5692When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005693only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
5694the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
5695
5696
5697Using an autocommand ~
5698
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005699This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
5700
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005701The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
5702You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
5703That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
5704again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
5705
5706Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
5707function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005708
5709 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
5710
5711The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
5712"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
5713
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005714
5715Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005716 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005717This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
5718
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005719Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
5720exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
5721like this: >
5722
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005723 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005724
5725When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
5726"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
5727"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
5728then define the function like this: >
5729
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005730 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005731 echo "Done!"
5732 endfunction
5733
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00005734The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005735exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
5736called.
5737
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005738It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
5739a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005740
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005741 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005742
5743Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
5744
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005745This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
5746
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005747 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005748
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00005749However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
5750for an unknown variable.
5751
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005752When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
5753be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
5754
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005755 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
5756 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005757
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00005758Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
5759defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
5760function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005761And you will get an error message every time.
5762
5763Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
5764other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
5765Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005766
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005767Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
5768|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
5769
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005770==============================================================================
57716. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
5772
5773Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
5774This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
5775{} like this: >
5776 my_{adjective}_variable
5777
5778When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
5779that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
5780name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
5781"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
5782"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
5783
5784One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
5785value. For example, the statement >
5786 echo my_{&background}_message
5787
5788would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
5789on the current value of 'background'.
5790
5791You can use multiple brace pairs: >
5792 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
5793..or even nest them: >
5794 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
5795where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
5796
5797However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005798variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005799 :let foo='a + b'
5800 :echo c{foo}d
5801.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
5802
5803 *curly-braces-function-names*
5804You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
5805Example: >
5806 :let func_end='whizz'
5807 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
5808
5809This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
5810
5811==============================================================================
58127. Commands *expression-commands*
5813
5814:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
5815 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
5816 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
5817 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
5818 is created.
5819
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005820:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
5821 Set a list item to the result of the expression
5822 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
5823 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
5824 the index can be repeated.
5825 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
5826
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005827 *E711* *E719*
5828:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005829 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
5830 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005831 correct number of items.
5832 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
5833 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
5834 When the selected range of items is partly past the
5835 end of the list, items will be added.
5836
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005837 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005838:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
5839:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
5840:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
5841 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
5842 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
5843
5844
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005845:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
5846 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
5847 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005848:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
5849 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
5850 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
5851 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005852
5853:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
5854 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
5855 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
5856 must be the name of a writable register (see
5857 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
5858 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
5859 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
5860 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
5861 characterwise.
5862 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
5863 :let @/ = ""
5864< This is different from searching for an empty string,
5865 that would match everywhere.
5866
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005867:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
5868 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
5869 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
5870
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005871:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-&*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005872 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005873 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
5874 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005875 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
5876 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00005877 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005878 Example: >
5879 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005880
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005881:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
5882 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
5883 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
5884
5885:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
5886:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
5887 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
5888 {expr1}.
5889
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005890:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005891:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5892:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
5893:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005894 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
5895 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
5896
5897:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005898:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5899:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
5900:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005901 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
5902 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
5903
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005904:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005905 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005906 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
5907 {name2}, etc.
5908 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005909 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005910 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
5911 command as mentioned above.
5912 Example: >
5913 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005914< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
5915 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
5916 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
5917 :let x = [0, 1]
5918 :let i = 0
5919 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
5920 :echo x
5921< The result is [0, 2].
5922
5923:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
5924:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
5925:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
5926 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005927 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005928
5929:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005930 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005931 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
5932 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
5933 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005934 Example: >
5935 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
5936<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005937:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
5938:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
5939:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
5940 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005941 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005942 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005943:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005944 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
5945 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00005946 g: global variables
5947 b: local buffer variables
5948 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00005949 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00005950 s: script-local variables
5951 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005952 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005953
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005954:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
5955 variable is indicated before the value:
5956 <nothing> String
5957 # Number
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005958 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005959
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005960
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005961:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108* *E795*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005962 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
5963 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005964 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005965 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
5966 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005967 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005968 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
5969 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005970< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005971 :unlet dict['two']
5972 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005973
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005974:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
5975 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
5976 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
5977 A locked variable can be deleted: >
5978 :lockvar v
5979 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
5980 :unlet v
5981< *E741*
5982 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
5983 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
5984
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005985 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
5986 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
5987 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005988 cannot add or remove items, but can
5989 still change their values.
5990 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005991 the items. If an item is a |List| or
5992 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005993 items, but can still change the
5994 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005995 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
5996 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
5997 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
5998 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
5999 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006000 *E743*
6001 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
6002 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
6003 loops.
6004
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006005 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
6006 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00006007 locked when used through the other variable.
6008 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006009 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
6010 :let cl = l
6011 :lockvar l
6012 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
6013< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
6014 See |deepcopy()|.
6015
6016
6017:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
6018 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
6019 opposite of |:lockvar|.
6020
6021
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006022:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
6023:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6024 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6025
6026 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
6027 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
6028 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
6029 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
6030 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
6031 part was not executed either.
6032
6033 You can use this to remain compatible with older
6034 versions: >
6035 :if version >= 500
6036 : version-5-specific-commands
6037 :endif
6038< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
6039 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
6040 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
6041 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
6042 avoid problems: >
6043 :if version >= 600
6044 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
6045 :endif
6046<
6047 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
6048 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
6049
6050 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
6051:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6052 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
6053 executed.
6054
6055 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
6056:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
6057 is no extra ":endif".
6058
6059:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006060 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006061:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
6062 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6063 When an error is detected from a command inside the
6064 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006065 Example: >
6066 :let lnum = 1
6067 :while lnum <= line("$")
6068 :call FixLine(lnum)
6069 :let lnum = lnum + 1
6070 :endwhile
6071<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006072 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006073 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006074
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006075:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006076:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
6077 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006078 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006079 value of each item.
6080 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006081 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00006082 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
6083 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006084 :for item in copy(mylist)
6085< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
6086 next item in the list, before executing the commands
6087 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
6088 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
6089 it will not be found. Thus the following example
6090 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
6091 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006092 :call remove(mylist, 0)
6093 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006094< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
6095 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
6096 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006097 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
6098 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
6099 to allow multiple item types.
6100
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006101:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
6102:endfo[r]
6103 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
6104 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
6105 {var2}, etc. Example: >
6106 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
6107 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
6108 :endfor
6109<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006110 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006111:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
6112 to the start of the loop.
6113 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6114 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6115 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6116 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6117 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6118 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006119
6120 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006121:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
6122 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
6123 ":endfor".
6124 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6125 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6126 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6127 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6128 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6129 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006130
6131:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
6132:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
6133 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
6134 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
6135 or autocommand invocations.
6136
6137 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
6138 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
6139 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
6140 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
6141 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
6142 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
6143 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
6144 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
6145 Example: >
6146 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
6147 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
6148<
6149 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
6150 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
6151 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
6152 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
6153 processing is not terminated.
6154
6155 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
6156 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
6157 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
6158 other errors are converted to a value of the form
6159 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
6160 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
6161 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
6162 the error number.
6163 Examples: >
6164 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
6165 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
6166<
6167 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
6168:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
6169 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
6170 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
6171 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
6172 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
6173 commands are skipped.
6174 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
6175 Examples: >
6176 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
6177 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
6178 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
6179 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
6180 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
6181 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
6182 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
6183 :catch " same as /.*/
6184<
6185 Another character can be used instead of / around the
6186 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
6187 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
6188 {pattern}.
6189 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
6190 an error message because it may vary in different
6191 locales.
6192
6193 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
6194:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
6195 are executed whenever the part between the matching
6196 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
6197 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
6198 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
6199 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
6200
6201 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
6202:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
6203 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
6204 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
6205 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
6206 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
6207 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
6208 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
6209 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
6210 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
6211 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
6212 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
6213 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
6214 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
6215 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
6216 is terminated.
6217 Example: >
6218 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
6219<
6220
6221 *:ec* *:echo*
6222:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
6223 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
6224 Also see |:comment|.
6225 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
6226 cursor to the first column.
6227 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6228 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6229 Example: >
6230 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006231< *:echo-redraw*
6232 A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
6233 And since Vim mostly postpones redrawing until it's
6234 finished with a sequence of commands this happens
6235 quite often. To avoid that a command from before the
6236 ":echo" causes a redraw afterwards (redraws are often
6237 postponed until you type something), force a redraw
6238 with the |:redraw| command. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006239 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
6240<
6241 *:echon*
6242:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
6243 |:comment|.
6244 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6245 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6246 Example: >
6247 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
6248<
6249 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
6250 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
6251 command: >
6252 :!echo % --> filename
6253< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
6254 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
6255< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
6256 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
6257 :echo % --> nothing
6258< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
6259 :echo "%" --> %
6260< This just echoes the '%' character. >
6261 :echo expand("%") --> filename
6262< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
6263
6264 *:echoh* *:echohl*
6265:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
6266 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
6267 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
6268 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
6269< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
6270 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
6271
6272 *:echom* *:echomsg*
6273:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
6274 message in the |message-history|.
6275 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6276 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
6277 displayed, not interpreted.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006278 The parsing works slightly different from |:echo|,
6279 more like |:execute|. All the expressions are first
6280 evaluated and concatenated before echoing anything.
6281 The expressions must evaluate to a Number or String, a
6282 Dictionary or List causes an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006283 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6284 Example: >
6285 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006286< See |:echo-redraw| to avoid the message disappearing
6287 when the screen is redrawn.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006288 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
6289:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
6290 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
6291 script or function the line number will be added.
6292 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6293 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
6294 the message is raised as an error exception instead
6295 (see |try-echoerr|).
6296 Example: >
6297 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
6298< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
6299 And to get a beep: >
6300 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
6301<
6302 *:exe* *:execute*
6303:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
6304 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
6305 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
6306 used as the processed command, command line editing
6307 keys are not recognized.
6308 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6309 Examples: >
6310 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
6311 :execute "normal " count . "w"
6312<
6313 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
6314 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
6315 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
6316
6317< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
6318 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
6319 command: >
6320 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
6321< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
6322
6323 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006324 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
6325 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006326 :execute 'while i > 5'
6327 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
6328<
6329 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
6330 completely in the executed string: >
6331 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
6332<
6333
6334 *:comment*
6335 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
6336 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
6337 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
6338 comment. Example: >
6339 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
6340
6341==============================================================================
63428. Exception handling *exception-handling*
6343
6344The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
6345explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
6346
6347Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
6348|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
6349exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
6350
6351
6352TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
6353
6354Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
6355use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
6356a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
6357 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
6358|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
6359a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
6360be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
6361which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
6362clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
6363
6364 :try
6365 : ...
6366 : ... TRY BLOCK
6367 : ...
6368 :catch /{pattern}/
6369 : ...
6370 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6371 : ...
6372 :catch /{pattern}/
6373 : ...
6374 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6375 : ...
6376 :finally
6377 : ...
6378 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
6379 : ...
6380 :endtry
6381
6382The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
6383appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
6384from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
6385 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
6386is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
6387script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
6388 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
6389lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
6390patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
6391after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
6392executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
6393":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
6394(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
6395continues in the following line as usual.
6396 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
6397":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
6398that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
6399finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
6400the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
6401the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
6402see |try-nesting|.
6403 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
6404remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
6405not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
6406try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
6407a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
6408execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
6409exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6410 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
6411thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
6412clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
6413catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
6414following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
6415clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6416
6417The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
6418a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
6419try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
6420from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
6421sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
6422":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
6423":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
6424from the finally clause.
6425 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
6426try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
6427clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
6428":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
6429clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
6430":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
6431this pending exception or command is discarded.
6432
6433For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
6434
6435
6436NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
6437
6438Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
6439conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
6440clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
6441catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
6442of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
6443checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
6444try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
6445otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
6446nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
6447one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
6448the inner try conditional.
6449
6450When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
6451finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
6452An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
6453thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
6454implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
6455as usual.
6456
6457For examples see |throw-catch|.
6458
6459
6460EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
6461
6462Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
6463'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
6464script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
6465finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
6466a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
6467(see |debug-scripts|).
6468
6469
6470THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
6471
6472You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
6473and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
6474 :throw 4711
6475 :throw "string"
6476< *throw-expression*
6477You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
6478first, and the result is thrown: >
6479 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
6480 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
6481
6482An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
6483command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
6484The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
6485 Example: >
6486
6487 :function! Foo(arg)
6488 : try
6489 : throw a:arg
6490 : catch /foo/
6491 : endtry
6492 : return 1
6493 :endfunction
6494 :
6495 :function! Bar()
6496 : echo "in Bar"
6497 : return 4710
6498 :endfunction
6499 :
6500 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
6501
6502This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
6503executed. >
6504 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
6505however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
6506
6507Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
6508abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
6509exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
6510 Example: >
6511
6512 :if Foo("arrgh")
6513 : echo "then"
6514 :else
6515 : echo "else"
6516 :endif
6517
6518Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
6519
6520 *catch-order*
6521Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
6522commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
6523command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
6524gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
6525 Example: >
6526
6527 :function! Foo(value)
6528 : try
6529 : throw a:value
6530 : catch /^\d\+$/
6531 : echo "Number thrown"
6532 : catch /.*/
6533 : echo "String thrown"
6534 : endtry
6535 :endfunction
6536 :
6537 :call Foo(0x1267)
6538 :call Foo('string')
6539
6540The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
6541An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
6542specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
6543specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
6544
6545 : catch /.*/
6546 : echo "String thrown"
6547 : catch /^\d\+$/
6548 : echo "Number thrown"
6549
6550The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
6551never taken.
6552
6553 *throw-variables*
6554If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
6555in the variable |v:exception|: >
6556
6557 : catch /^\d\+$/
6558 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
6559
6560You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
6561|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
6562exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
6563 Example: >
6564
6565 :function! Caught()
6566 : if v:exception != ""
6567 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
6568 : else
6569 : echo 'Nothing caught'
6570 : endif
6571 :endfunction
6572 :
6573 :function! Foo()
6574 : try
6575 : try
6576 : try
6577 : throw 4711
6578 : finally
6579 : call Caught()
6580 : endtry
6581 : catch /.*/
6582 : call Caught()
6583 : throw "oops"
6584 : endtry
6585 : catch /.*/
6586 : call Caught()
6587 : finally
6588 : call Caught()
6589 : endtry
6590 :endfunction
6591 :
6592 :call Foo()
6593
6594This displays >
6595
6596 Nothing caught
6597 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
6598 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
6599 Nothing caught
6600
6601A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
6602number in the script or function where it has been used: >
6603
6604 :function! LineNumber()
6605 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
6606 :endfunction
6607 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
6608<
6609 *try-nested*
6610An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
6611a surrounding try conditional: >
6612
6613 :try
6614 : try
6615 : throw "foo"
6616 : catch /foobar/
6617 : echo "foobar"
6618 : finally
6619 : echo "inner finally"
6620 : endtry
6621 :catch /foo/
6622 : echo "foo"
6623 :endtry
6624
6625The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
6626clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
6627conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
6628
6629 *throw-from-catch*
6630You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
6631catch clause: >
6632
6633 :function! Foo()
6634 : throw "foo"
6635 :endfunction
6636 :
6637 :function! Bar()
6638 : try
6639 : call Foo()
6640 : catch /foo/
6641 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
6642 : throw "bar"
6643 : endtry
6644 :endfunction
6645 :
6646 :try
6647 : call Bar()
6648 :catch /.*/
6649 : echo "Caught" v:exception
6650 :endtry
6651
6652This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
6653
6654 *rethrow*
6655There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
6656"v:exception" instead: >
6657
6658 :function! Bar()
6659 : try
6660 : call Foo()
6661 : catch /.*/
6662 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
6663 : throw v:exception
6664 : endtry
6665 :endfunction
6666< *try-echoerr*
6667Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
6668exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
6669Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
6670denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
6671the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
6672
6673 :try
6674 : try
6675 : asdf
6676 : catch /.*/
6677 : echoerr v:exception
6678 : endtry
6679 :catch /.*/
6680 : echo v:exception
6681 :endtry
6682
6683This code displays
6684
6685 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
6686
6687
6688CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
6689
6690Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
6691user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
6692an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
6693a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
6694catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
6695a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
6696normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
6697(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
6698to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
6699clause has been executed.)
6700Example: >
6701
6702 :try
6703 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
6704 : set ts=17
6705 :
6706 : " Do the hard work here.
6707 :
6708 :finally
6709 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
6710 : unlet s:saved_ts
6711 :endtry
6712
6713This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
6714changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
6715that function or script part.
6716
6717 *break-finally*
6718Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
6719a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
6720 Example: >
6721
6722 :let first = 1
6723 :while 1
6724 : try
6725 : if first
6726 : echo "first"
6727 : let first = 0
6728 : continue
6729 : else
6730 : throw "second"
6731 : endif
6732 : catch /.*/
6733 : echo v:exception
6734 : break
6735 : finally
6736 : echo "cleanup"
6737 : endtry
6738 : echo "still in while"
6739 :endwhile
6740 :echo "end"
6741
6742This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
6743
6744 :function! Foo()
6745 : try
6746 : return 4711
6747 : finally
6748 : echo "cleanup\n"
6749 : endtry
6750 : echo "Foo still active"
6751 :endfunction
6752 :
6753 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
6754
6755This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
6756extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
6757return value.)
6758
6759 *except-from-finally*
6760Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
6761a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
6762cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
6763exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
6764 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
6765working correctly: >
6766
6767 :try
6768 : try
6769 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
6770 : while 1
6771 : endwhile
6772 : finally
6773 : unlet novar
6774 : endtry
6775 :catch /novar/
6776 :endtry
6777 :echo "Script still running"
6778 :sleep 1
6779
6780If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
6781think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
6782|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
6783
6784
6785CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
6786
6787If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
6788watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
6789presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
6790exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
6791the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
6792the error exception is.
6793 Error exceptions have the following format: >
6794
6795 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
6796or >
6797 Vim:{errmsg}
6798
6799{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
6800the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
6801when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
6802a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
6803a space.
6804
6805Examples:
6806
6807The command >
6808 :unlet novar
6809normally produces the error message >
6810 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6811which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6812 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
6813
6814The command >
6815 :dwim
6816normally produces the error message >
6817 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6818which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6819 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6820
6821You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
6822 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
6823or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
6824 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
6825
6826Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
6827 :function nofunc
6828and >
6829 :delfunction nofunc
6830both produce the error message >
6831 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6832which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6833 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6834or >
6835 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6836respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
6837command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
6838 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
6839
6840Some commands like >
6841 :let x = novar
6842produce multiple error messages, here: >
6843 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6844 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6845Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
6846one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
6847 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
6848
6849You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
6850 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
6851
6852You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
6853 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
6854
6855You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
6856 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
6857<
6858 *catch-text*
6859NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
6860 :catch /No such variable/
6861only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
6862a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
6863cite the message text in a comment: >
6864 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
6865
6866
6867IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
6868
6869You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
6870
6871 :try
6872 : write
6873 :catch
6874 :endtry
6875
6876But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
6877catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
6878be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
6879
6880 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
6881
6882There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
6883writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
6884then hide the error from the user.
6885 It is much better to use >
6886
6887 :try
6888 : write
6889 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6890 :endtry
6891
6892which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
6893intentionally.
6894
6895For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
6896even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
6897command: >
6898 :silent! nunmap k
6899This works also when a try conditional is active.
6900
6901
6902CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
6903
6904When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
6905the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
6906script is not terminated, then.
6907 Example: >
6908
6909 :function! TASK1()
6910 : sleep 10
6911 :endfunction
6912
6913 :function! TASK2()
6914 : sleep 20
6915 :endfunction
6916
6917 :while 1
6918 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
6919 : try
6920 : if command == ""
6921 : continue
6922 : elseif command == "END"
6923 : break
6924 : elseif command == "TASK1"
6925 : call TASK1()
6926 : elseif command == "TASK2"
6927 : call TASK2()
6928 : else
6929 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
6930 : continue
6931 : endif
6932 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6933 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
6934 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
6935 : endtry
6936 :endwhile
6937
6938You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
6939a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
6940
6941For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
6942your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
6943command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
6944
6945
6946CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
6947
6948The commands >
6949
6950 :catch /.*/
6951 :catch //
6952 :catch
6953
6954catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
6955explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
6956a script in order to catch unexpected things.
6957 Example: >
6958
6959 :try
6960 :
6961 : " do the hard work here
6962 :
6963 :catch /MyException/
6964 :
6965 : " handle known problem
6966 :
6967 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6968 : echo "Script interrupted"
6969 :catch /.*/
6970 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
6971 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
6972 :endtry
6973 :" end of script
6974
6975Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
6976strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
6977specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
6978 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
6979by pressing CTRL-C: >
6980
6981 :while 1
6982 : try
6983 : sleep 1
6984 : catch
6985 : endtry
6986 :endwhile
6987
6988
6989EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
6990
6991Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
6992
6993 :autocmd User x try
6994 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
6995 :autocmd User x catch
6996 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
6997 :autocmd User x endtry
6998 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
6999 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
7000 :
7001 :try
7002 : doautocmd User x
7003 :catch
7004 : echo v:exception
7005 :endtry
7006
7007This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
7008
7009 *except-autocmd-Pre*
7010For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
7011command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
7012of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
7013abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
7014 Example: >
7015
7016 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
7017 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
7018 :
7019 :try
7020 : write
7021 :catch
7022 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
7023 :endtry
7024
7025Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
7026you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
7027autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
7028script displays: >
7029
7030 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
7031<
7032 *except-autocmd-Post*
7033For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
7034command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
7035an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
7036is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
7037 Example: >
7038
7039 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
7040 :
7041 :try
7042 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7043 :catch
7044 : echo v:exception
7045 :endtry
7046
7047This just displays: >
7048
7049 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
7050
7051If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
7052fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
7053 Example: >
7054
7055 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
7056 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
7057 :
7058 :try
7059 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7060 :catch
7061 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7062 :endtry
7063<
7064You can also use ":silent!": >
7065
7066 :let x = "ok"
7067 :let v:errmsg = ""
7068 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
7069 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
7070 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
7071 :try
7072 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7073 :catch
7074 :endtry
7075 :echo x
7076
7077This displays "after fail".
7078
7079If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
7080autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
7081
7082 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
7083 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
7084 :
7085 :try
7086 : write
7087 :catch
7088 : echo v:exception
7089 :endtry
7090<
7091 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
7092For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
7093autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
7094of the command.
7095 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
7096had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
7097some way. >
7098
7099 :if !exists("cnt")
7100 : let cnt = 0
7101 :
7102 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
7103 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
7104 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
7105 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7106 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7107 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
7108 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
7109 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7110 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7111 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
7112 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7113 :endif
7114 :
7115 :try
7116 : write
7117 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
7118 : if &modified
7119 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
7120 : else
7121 : echo "Error after writing"
7122 : endif
7123 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7124 : echo "Error on writing"
7125 :endtry
7126
7127When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
7128first >
7129 File successfully written!
7130then >
7131 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
7132then >
7133 Error after writing
7134etc.
7135
7136 *except-autocmd-ill*
7137You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
7138The following code is ill-formed: >
7139
7140 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
7141 :
7142 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
7143 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
7144 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
7145 :
7146 :write
7147
7148
7149EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
7150
7151Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
7152pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
7153similar things in Vim.
7154 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
7155class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
7156string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
7157 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
7158it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
7159for an error when writing "myfile".
7160 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
7161base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
7162parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
7163 Example: >
7164
7165 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
7166 : if a:a < 0
7167 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
7168 : endif
7169 :endfunction
7170 :
7171 :function! Add(a, b)
7172 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
7173 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
7174 : let c = a:a + a:b
7175 : if c < 0
7176 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
7177 : endif
7178 : return c
7179 :endfunction
7180 :
7181 :function! Div(a, b)
7182 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
7183 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
7184 : if (a:b == 0)
7185 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
7186 : endif
7187 : return a:a / a:b
7188 :endfunction
7189 :
7190 :function! Write(file)
7191 : try
7192 : execute "write" a:file
7193 : catch /^Vim(write):/
7194 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
7195 : endtry
7196 :endfunction
7197 :
7198 :try
7199 :
7200 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
7201 :
7202 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
7203 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
7204 : echo "Range error in" function
7205 :
7206 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
7207 : echo "Math error"
7208 :
7209 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
7210 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
7211 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
7212 : if file !~ '^/'
7213 : let file = dir . "/" . file
7214 : endif
7215 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
7216 :
7217 :catch /^EXCEPT/
7218 : echo "Unspecified error"
7219 :
7220 :endtry
7221
7222The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
7223a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
7224exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
7225 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
7226failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
7227
7228
7229PECULIARITIES
7230 *except-compat*
7231The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
7232exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
7233and/or a catch clause.
7234
7235In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
7236continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
7237after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
7238functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
7239or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
7240(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
7241
7242This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
7243immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
7244conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
7245be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
7246termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
7247catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
7248by specifying a finally clause.)
7249
7250When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
7251behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
7252scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
7253
7254However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
7255commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
7256conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
7257script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
7258error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
7259messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
7260|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
7261not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
7262where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
7263error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
7264scripts.
7265
7266 *except-syntax-err*
7267Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
7268the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
7269clauses, however, is executed.
7270 Example: >
7271
7272 :try
7273 : try
7274 : throw 4711
7275 : catch /\(/
7276 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
7277 : catch
7278 : echo "inner catch-all"
7279 : finally
7280 : echo "inner finally"
7281 : endtry
7282 :catch
7283 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
7284 : finally
7285 : echo "outer finally"
7286 :endtry
7287
7288This displays: >
7289 inner finally
7290 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
7291 outer finally
7292The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
7293
7294 *except-single-line*
7295The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
7296a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
7297"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
7298 Example: >
7299 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
7300raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
7301argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
7302error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
7303displayed.
7304
7305 *except-several-errors*
7306When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
7307usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
7308 Example: >
7309 echo novar
7310causes >
7311 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7312 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7313The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7314 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
7315< *except-syntax-error*
7316But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
7317the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
7318 Example: >
7319 unlet novar #
7320causes >
7321 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7322 E488: Trailing characters
7323The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7324 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
7325This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
7326not intended by the user. Example: >
7327 try
7328 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
7329 catch /.*/
7330 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
7331 endtry
7332This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
7333a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
7334
7335==============================================================================
73369. Examples *eval-examples*
7337
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007338Printing in Binary ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007339>
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007340 :" The function Nr2Bin() returns the Hex string of a number.
7341 :func Nr2Bin(nr)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007342 : let n = a:nr
7343 : let r = ""
7344 : while n
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007345 : let r = '01'[n % 2] . r
7346 : let n = n / 2
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007347 : endwhile
7348 : return r
7349 :endfunc
7350
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007351 :" The function String2Bin() converts each character in a string to a
7352 :" binary string, separated with dashes.
7353 :func String2Bin(str)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007354 : let out = ''
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007355 : for ix in range(strlen(a:str))
7356 : let out = out . '-' . Nr2Bin(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
7357 : endfor
7358 : return out[1:]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007359 :endfunc
7360
7361Example of its use: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007362 :echo Nr2Bin(32)
7363result: "100000" >
7364 :echo String2Bin("32")
7365result: "110011-110010"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007366
7367
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007368Sorting lines ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007369
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007370This example sorts lines with a specific compare function. >
7371
7372 :func SortBuffer()
7373 : let lines = getline(1, '$')
7374 : call sort(lines, function("Strcmp"))
7375 : call setline(1, lines)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007376 :endfunction
7377
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007378As a one-liner: >
7379 :call setline(1, sort(getline(1, '$'), function("Strcmp")))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007380
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007381
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007382scanf() replacement ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007383 *sscanf*
7384There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
7385line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
7386how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
7387"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
7388 :" Set up the match bit
7389 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
7390 :"get the part matching the whole expression
7391 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
7392 :"get each item out of the match
7393 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
7394 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
7395 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
7396
7397The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
7398"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
7399
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007400
7401getting the scriptnames in a Dictionary ~
7402 *scriptnames-dictionary*
7403The |:scriptnames| command can be used to get a list of all script files that
7404have been sourced. There is no equivalent function or variable for this
7405(because it's rarely needed). In case you need to manipulate the list this
7406code can be used: >
7407 " Get the output of ":scriptnames" in the scriptnames_output variable.
7408 let scriptnames_output = ''
7409 redir => scriptnames_output
7410 silent scriptnames
7411 redir END
7412
7413 " Split the output into lines and parse each line. Add an entry to the
7414 " "scripts" dictionary.
7415 let scripts = {}
7416 for line in split(scriptnames_output, "\n")
7417 " Only do non-blank lines.
7418 if line =~ '\S'
7419 " Get the first number in the line.
7420 let nr = matchstr(line, '\d\+')
7421 " Get the file name, remove the script number " 123: ".
7422 let name = substitute(line, '.\+:\s*', '', '')
7423 " Add an item to the Dictionary
7424 let scripts[nr] = name
7425 endif
7426 endfor
7427 unlet scriptnames_output
7428
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007429==============================================================================
743010. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
7431
7432When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
7433evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
7434to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
7435recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
7436and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
7437only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
7438recognized.
7439
7440Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
7441missing: >
7442
7443 :if 1
7444 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
7445 :else
7446 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
7447 :endif
7448
7449==============================================================================
745011. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
7451
7452The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
7453options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
7454these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
7455these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00007456a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007457The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007458
7459These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
7460 - changing the buffer text
7461 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
7462 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007463 - setting certain v: variables (see |v:var|) *E794*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007464 - executing a shell command
7465 - reading or writing a file
7466 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00007467 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007468This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
7469
7470 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00007471:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007472 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
7473 'foldexpr'.
7474
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007475 *sandbox-option*
7476A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00007477have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007478restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
7479location. Insecure in this context are:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00007480- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directory
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007481- while executing in the sandbox
7482- value coming from a modeline
7483
7484Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
7485option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
7486
7487==============================================================================
748812. Textlock *textlock*
7489
7490In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
7491to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
7492is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
7493actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
7494happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
7495
7496This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
7497 - changing the buffer text
7498 - jumping to another buffer or window
7499 - editing another file
7500 - closing a window or quitting Vim
7501 - etc.
7502
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007503
7504 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: