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Bram Moolenaar14716812006-05-04 21:54:08 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0g. Last change: 2006 May 04
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 Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +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 Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000447 :for entry in items(mydict)
448 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
449 :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 Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +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
653
654expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
655---------------
656
657 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
658The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
659are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
660
661 input output ~
662n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
663zero zero zero zero
664zero non-zero non-zero zero
665non-zero zero non-zero zero
666non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
667
668The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
669
670 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
671
672Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
673
674 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
675
676Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
677arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
678
679 let a = 1
680 echo a || b
681
682This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
683so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
684
685 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
686
687This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
688only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
689
690
691expr4 *expr4*
692-----
693
694expr5 {cmp} expr5
695
696Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
697if it evaluates to true.
698
699 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
700 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
701 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
702 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
703 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
704 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000705 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000706 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
707equal == ==# ==?
708not equal != !=# !=?
709greater than > ># >?
710greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
711smaller than < <# <?
712smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
713regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
714regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000715same instance is
716different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000717
718Examples:
719"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
720"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
721"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
722
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000723 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000724A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
725"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
726Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000727
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000728 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000729A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
730equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000731recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
732
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000733 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000734A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
735equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000736
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000737When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| this checks if the expressions are
738referring to the same |List| instance. A copy of a |List| is different from
739the original |List|. When using "is" without a |List| it is equivalent to
740using "equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000741different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
742is false.
743
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000744When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
745and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
746because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
747
748When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
749results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
750necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
751
752When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
753'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
754
755When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
756'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
757
758The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
759argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
760This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
761matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
762portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
763single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
764Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
765(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
766can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
767 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
768 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
769
770
771expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
772---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000773expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000774expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
775expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000776
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +0000777For |Lists| only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000778result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000779
780expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
781expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
782expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000783
784For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
785
786Note the difference between "+" and ".":
787 "123" + "456" = 579
788 "123" . "456" = "123456"
789
790When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
791When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
792
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000793None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000794
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000795
796expr7 *expr7*
797-----
798! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
799- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
800+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
801
802For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
803For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
804For '+' the number is unchanged.
805
806A String will be converted to a Number first.
807
808These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
809 !-1 == 0
810 !!8 == 1
811 --9 == 9
812
813
814expr8 *expr8*
815-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000816expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000817
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000818If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
819expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000820Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000821
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000822Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
823text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
824cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000825 :let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000826
827If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000828String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
829compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
830
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000831If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000832for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
833error. Example: >
834 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
835
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000836Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
837|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
838error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000839
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000840
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000841expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000842
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000843If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
844from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000845expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
846encodings.
847
848If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
849string minus one is used.
850
851A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
852the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
853
854If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
855expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
856
857Examples: >
858 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
859 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
860 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
861 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
862
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000863If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
864the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
865just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000866 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
867 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
868 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
869
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000870Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
871error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000872
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000873
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000874expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000875
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000876If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
877name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
878expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000879
880The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
881but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
882
883There must not be white space before or after the dot.
884
885Examples: >
886 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
887 :echo dict.one
888 :echo dict .2
889
890Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
891always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
892
893
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000894expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000895
896When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
897
898
899
900 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000901number
902------
903number number constant *expr-number*
904
905Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
906
907
908string *expr-string* *E114*
909------
910"string" string constant *expr-quote*
911
912Note that double quotes are used.
913
914A string constant accepts these special characters:
915\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
916\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
917\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
918\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
919\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
920\X.. same as \x..
921\X. same as \x.
922\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
923 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
924\U.... same as \u....
925\b backspace <BS>
926\e escape <Esc>
927\f formfeed <FF>
928\n newline <NL>
929\r return <CR>
930\t tab <Tab>
931\\ backslash
932\" double quote
933\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
934
935Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
936
937
938literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
939---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000940'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000941
942Note that single quotes are used.
943
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000944This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000945meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000946
947Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
948to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
949 if a =~ "\\s*"
950 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000951
952
953option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
954------
955&option option value, local value if possible
956&g:option global option value
957&l:option local option value
958
959Examples: >
960 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
961 if &insertmode
962
963Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
964and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
965anyway.
966
967
968register *expr-register*
969--------
970@r contents of register 'r'
971
972The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
973Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +0000974register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
975registers.
976
977When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
978evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000979
980
981nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
982-------
983(expr1) nested expression
984
985
986environment variable *expr-env*
987--------------------
988$VAR environment variable
989
990The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
991result is an empty string.
992 *expr-env-expand*
993Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
994expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
995are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
996the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
997fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
998does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
999 :echo $version
1000 :echo expand("$version")
1001The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
1002variable (if your shell supports it).
1003
1004
1005internal variable *expr-variable*
1006-----------------
1007variable internal variable
1008See below |internal-variables|.
1009
1010
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001011function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001012-------------
1013function(expr1, ...) function call
1014See below |functions|.
1015
1016
1017==============================================================================
10183. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1019 *E461*
1020An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1021cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1022|curly-braces-names|.
1023
1024An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001025An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1026|:unlet|.
1027Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1028been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001029
1030There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1031specified by what is prepended:
1032
1033 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1034|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1035|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001036|tabpage-variable| t: Local to the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001037|global-variable| g: Global.
1038|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1039|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1040|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1041|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1042
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001043The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1044delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001045 :for k in keys(s:)
1046 : unlet s:[k]
1047 :endfor
1048<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001049 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1050A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1051Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1052This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1053|:bdelete|.
1054
1055One local buffer variable is predefined:
1056 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1057b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1058 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1059 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1060 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1061 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1062 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1063 : call My_Update()
1064 :endif
1065<
1066 *window-variable* *w:var*
1067A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1068is deleted when the window is closed.
1069
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001070 *tabpage-variable* *t:var*
1071A variable name that is preceded with "t:" is local to the current tab page,
1072It is deleted when the tab page is closed. {not available when compiled
1073without the +windows feature}
1074
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001075 *global-variable* *g:var*
1076Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1077access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1078place if you like.
1079
1080 *local-variable* *l:var*
1081Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1082But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1083
1084 *script-variable* *s:var*
1085In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1086accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1087
1088They can be used in:
1089- commands executed while the script is sourced
1090- functions defined in the script
1091- autocommands defined in the script
1092- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1093 defined in the script (recursively)
1094- user defined commands defined in the script
1095Thus not in:
1096- other scripts sourced from this one
1097- mappings
1098- etc.
1099
1100script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1101Take this example:
1102
1103 let s:counter = 0
1104 function MyCounter()
1105 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1106 echo s:counter
1107 endfunction
1108 command Tick call MyCounter()
1109
1110You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1111that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1112"Tick" was defined is used.
1113
1114Another example that does the same: >
1115
1116 let s:counter = 0
1117 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1118
1119When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001120script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001121defined.
1122
1123The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1124function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1125
1126 let s:counter = 0
1127 function StartCounting(incr)
1128 if a:incr
1129 function MyCounter()
1130 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1131 endfunction
1132 else
1133 function MyCounter()
1134 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1135 endfunction
1136 endif
1137 endfunction
1138
1139This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1140when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1141called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1142
1143When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1144They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1145maintain a counter: >
1146
1147 if !exists("s:counter")
1148 let s:counter = 1
1149 echo "script executed for the first time"
1150 else
1151 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1152 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1153 endif
1154
1155Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1156variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1157
1158
1159Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1160
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001161 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1162v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1163 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1164 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1165
1166 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1167v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1168 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1169
1170 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1171v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1172 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1173
1174 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001175v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1176 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1177 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1178 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001179 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1180 highlighted text is used.
1181 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1182
1183 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1184v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1185 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1186
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001187 *v:char* *char-variable*
1188v:char Argument for evaluating 'formatexpr'.
1189
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001190 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1191v:charconvert_from
1192 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1193 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1194
1195 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1196v:charconvert_to
1197 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1198 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1199
1200 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1201v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1202 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1203 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1204 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1205 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1206 possible to append this variable directly after the
1207 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1208 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1209 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1210 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1211 in 'printexpr'.
1212
1213 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1214v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1215 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1216 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1217 can be used.
1218
1219 *v:count* *count-variable*
1220v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1221 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1222 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1223< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1224 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001225 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001226 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1227
1228 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1229v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1230 used.
1231
1232 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1233v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1234 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1235 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1236 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1237 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1238 command.
1239 See |multi-lang|.
1240
1241 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1242v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1243 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1244 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1245 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1246 Example: >
1247 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1248<
1249 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1250v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1251 Example: >
1252 :let v:errmsg = ""
1253 :silent! next
1254 :if v:errmsg != ""
1255 : ... handle error
1256< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1257
1258 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1259v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1260 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1261 Example: >
1262 :try
1263 : throw "oops"
1264 :catch /.*/
1265 : echo "caught" v:exception
1266 :endtry
1267< Output: "caught oops".
1268
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001269 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1270v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1271 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1272 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1273 deleted file no longer exists
1274 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1275 changed and buffer is modified
1276 changed file contents has changed
1277 mode mode of file changed
1278 time only file timestamp changed
1279
1280 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1281v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1282 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1283 do with the affected buffer:
1284 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1285 the file was deleted).
1286 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1287 was no autocommand. Except that when
1288 only the timestamp changed nothing
1289 will happen.
1290 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1291 everything that needs to be done.
1292 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1293 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1294
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001295 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001296v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001297 option used for ~
1298 'charconvert' file to be converted
1299 'diffexpr' original file
1300 'patchexpr' original file
1301 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001302 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001303
1304 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1305v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1306 evaluating:
1307 option used for ~
1308 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1309 'diffexpr' output of diff
1310 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1311 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1312 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1313 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1314 file and different from v:fname_in.
1315
1316 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1317v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1318 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1319
1320 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1321v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1322 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1323
1324 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1325v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1326 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001327 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001328
1329 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1330v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001331 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001332
1333 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1334v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001335 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001336
1337 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1338v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001339 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001340
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001341 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1342v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1343 events. Values:
1344 i Insert mode
1345 r Replace mode
1346 v Virtual Replace mode
1347
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001348 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001349v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001350 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1351 Read-only.
1352
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001353 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1354v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1355 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1356 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1357 The value is system dependent.
1358 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1359 command.
1360 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1361 in a different language than what is used for character
1362 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1363
1364 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1365v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1366 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1367 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1368 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1369 command. See |multi-lang|.
1370
1371 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001372v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
Bram Moolenaar57657d82006-04-21 22:12:41 +00001373 expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel' and
1374 'guitabtooltip'. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1375 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001376
1377 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1378v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1379 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1380 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1381 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1382< Read-only.
1383
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001384 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1385v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1386 See |profiling|.
1387
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001388 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1389v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1390 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1391 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1392 Read-only.
1393
1394 *v:register* *register-variable*
1395v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1396 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1397
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001398 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1399v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1400 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1401 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1402 typed command.
1403 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1404 hit-enter prompt.
1405
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001406 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1407v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1408 Read-only.
1409
1410 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1411v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1412 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1413 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1414 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1415 executed. Read-only.
1416 Example: >
1417 :!mv foo bar
1418 :if v:shell_error
1419 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1420 :endif
1421< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1422
1423 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1424v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1425
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001426 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1427v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1428 the swap file found. Read-only.
1429
1430 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1431v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1432 for handling an existing swap file:
1433 'o' Open read-only
1434 'e' Edit anyway
1435 'r' Recover
1436 'd' Delete swapfile
1437 'q' Quit
1438 'a' Abort
1439 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
1440 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1441 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1442
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001443 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001444v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001445 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
1446 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
1447 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001448 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001449
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001450 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1451v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1452 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1453 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1454 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1455 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1456 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1457 terminal.
1458 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1459 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1460 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1461 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1462 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1463
1464 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1465v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1466 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1467 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1468 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1469
1470 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1471v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1472 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1473 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1474 Example: >
1475 :try
1476 : throw "oops"
1477 :catch /.*/
1478 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1479 :endtry
1480< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1481
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001482 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001483v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
1484 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001485 |filter()|. Read-only.
1486
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001487 *v:version* *version-variable*
1488v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1489 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1490 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1491 compatibility.
1492 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1493 if has("patch123")
1494< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1495 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1496 completely different.
1497
1498 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1499v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1500
1501==============================================================================
15024. Builtin Functions *functions*
1503
1504See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1505
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001506(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001507
1508USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1509
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001510add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001511append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001512append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001513argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001514argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001515argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001516argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001517browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1518 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001519browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001520bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001521buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1522bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001523bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1524bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1525bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1526byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001527byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001528call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1529 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001530changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001531char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001532cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001533col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00001534complete({startcol}, {matches}) String set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001535complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
1536complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001537confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1538 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001539copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001540count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1541 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001542cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1543 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001544cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {coladd}])
1545 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {coladd}
1546cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001547deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001548delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1549did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001550diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1551diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001552empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001553escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001554eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001555eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001556executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1557exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001558extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
1559 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001560expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00001561feedkeys( {string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001562filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001563filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001564filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1565 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001566finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001567 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001568findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001569 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001570fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001571foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1572foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001573foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001574foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001575foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001576foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001577function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001578garbagecollect() none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001579get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001580get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001581getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1582 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001583getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001584getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1585getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001586getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1587getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001588getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001589getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001590getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1591getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001592getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001593getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001594getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001595getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1596getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001597getloclist({nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001598getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001599getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001600getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001601getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001602gettabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {name})
1603 any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001604getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1605getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001606getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001607glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1608globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1609has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001610has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001611hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1612 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001613histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1614histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1615histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1616histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1617hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1618hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1619hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001620iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1621indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001622index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1623 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001624input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1625 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001626inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001627inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001628inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1629inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001630inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001631insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001632isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001633islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001634items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001635join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001636keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001637len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1638libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001639libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1640line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1641line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001642lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001643localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001644map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001645maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1646 String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1647mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1648 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001649match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001650 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001651matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001652matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001653 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001654matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1655 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001656matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1657 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001658max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1659min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001660mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1661 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001662mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001663nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1664nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001665pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001666prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00001667printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001668pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001669range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1670 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001671readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1672 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00001673reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
1674reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001675remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1676 String send expression
1677remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1678remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1679 Number check for reply string
1680remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1681remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1682 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001683remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001684remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001685rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1686repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1687resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001688reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001689search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001690searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
1691 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001692searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001693 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001694searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001695 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001696searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001697 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001698server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1699 Number send reply string
1700serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1701setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1702setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1703setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001704setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1705 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001706setpos( {expr}, {list}) none set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001707setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001708setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001709settabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window
1710 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001711setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001712simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001713sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001714soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001715spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001716spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1717 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001718split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001719 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001720str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert string to number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001721strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001722stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1723 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001724string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001725strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1726strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1727 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001728strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1729 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001730strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001731submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001732substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1733 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001734synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001735synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1736 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1737synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001738system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001739tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1740tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1741tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1742 Number number of current window in tab page
1743taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00001744tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001745tempname() String name for a temporary file
1746tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1747toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001748tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1749 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001750type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001751values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001752virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1753visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1754winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1755wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1756winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1757winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001758winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001759winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00001760winrestview({dict}) None restore view of current window
1761winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001762winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001763writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1764 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001765
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001766add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001767 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
1768 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001769 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1770 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001771< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001772 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001773 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001774
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001775
1776append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001777 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
1778 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001779 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1780 the current buffer.
1781 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001782 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1783 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001784 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001785 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001786<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001787 *argc()*
1788argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1789 current window. See |arglist|.
1790
1791 *argidx()*
1792argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1793 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1794
1795 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001796argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001797 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1798 Example: >
1799 :let i = 0
1800 :while i < argc()
1801 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1802 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1803 : let i = i + 1
1804 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001805< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
1806 returned.
1807
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001808 *browse()*
1809browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1810 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1811 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1812 The input fields are:
1813 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1814 {title} title for the requester
1815 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1816 {default} default file name
1817 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1818 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1819
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001820 *browsedir()*
1821browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1822 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1823 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1824 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1825 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1826 to be used.
1827 The input fields are:
1828 {title} title for the requester
1829 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1830 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1831 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1832
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001833bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1834 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1835 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001836 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001837 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001838 exactly. The name can be:
1839 - Relative to the current directory.
1840 - A full path.
1841 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1842 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001843 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1844 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1845 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1846 long name to be able to find them.
1847 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1848 file name.
1849 *buffer_exists()*
1850 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1851
1852buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1853 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1854 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001855 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001856
1857bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1858 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1859 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001860 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001861
1862bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1863 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1864 ":ls" command.
1865 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1866 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1867 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1868 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1869 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1870 match an empty string is returned.
1871 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1872 alternate buffer.
1873 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1874 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1875 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1876 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1877 buffers are searched for.
1878 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1879 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1880 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1881< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1882 string is returned. >
1883 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1884 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1885 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1886 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1887< *buffer_name()*
1888 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1889
1890 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001891bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
1892 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001893 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001894 above.
1895 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
1896 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
1897 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001898 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1899 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1900< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1901 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1902 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1903 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1904 *buffer_number()*
1905 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1906 *last_buffer_nr()*
1907 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1908
1909bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1910 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1911 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1912 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1913 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1914
1915 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1916
1917< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1918 |:wincmd|.
1919
1920
1921byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1922 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1923 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1924 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1925 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1926 one.
1927 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1928 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1929 feature}
1930
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001931byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1932 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1933 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1934 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1935 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1936 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1937 Example : >
1938 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1939< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1940 same: >
1941 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1942 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1943< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1944 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1945 is returned.
1946
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001947call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001948 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001949 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001950 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001951 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1952 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001953 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1954 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001955
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001956changenr() *changenr()*
1957 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
1958 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
1959 with the |:undo| command.
1960 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
1961 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
1962 one less than the number of the undone change.
1963
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001964char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1965 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1966 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1967 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1968< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00001969 char2nr("?") returns 225
1970 char2nr("?"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001971< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001972
1973cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1974 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1975 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1976 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1977 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1978 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1979 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00001980 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001981
1982 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001983col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001984 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1985 . the cursor position
1986 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1987 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1988 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1989 returned)
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001990 To get the line number use |col()|. To get both use
1991 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001992 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1993 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1994 Examples: >
1995 col(".") column of cursor
1996 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1997 col("'t") column of mark t
1998 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1999< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
2000 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
2001 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
2002 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
2003 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
2004 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
2005 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
2006 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
2007<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002008
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002009complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
2010 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2011 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
2012 with an expression argument |:map-<expr>| or CTRL-R =
2013 |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O.
2014 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2015 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2016 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2017 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2018 match.
2019 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2020 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2021 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
2022 inserting anything that would completion to stop.
2023 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2024 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2025 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2026 Example: >
2027 inoremap <expr> <F5> ListMonths()
2028
2029 func! ListMonths()
2030 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2031 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2032 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2033 return ''
2034 endfunc
2035< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2036 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2037
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002038complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2039 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2040 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2041 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2042 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2043 the list.
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002044 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
2045 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002046
2047complete_check() *complete_check()*
2048 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2049 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2050 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2051 zero otherwise.
2052 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2053 'completefunc' option.
2054
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002055 *confirm()*
2056confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2057 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2058 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2059 choice this is 1.
2060 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2061 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
2062 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2063 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2064 used (and translated).
2065 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2066 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
2067 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2068 by '\n', e.g. >
2069 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2070< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2071 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2072 not need to be the first letter: >
2073 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2074< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2075 the default shortcut key.
2076 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2077 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2078 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2079 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
2080 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
2081 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
2082 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
2083 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
2084 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2085 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2086 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2087
2088 An example: >
2089 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2090 :if choice == 0
2091 : echo "make up your mind!"
2092 :elseif choice == 3
2093 : echo "tasteful"
2094 :else
2095 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2096 :endif
2097< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2098 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
2099 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
2100 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2101 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2102 the horizontal layout is always used.
2103
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002104 *copy()*
2105copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2106 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002107 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2108 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002109 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002110 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002111 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002112
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002113count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002114 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002115 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002116 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002117 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002118 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2119
2120
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002121 *cscope_connection()*
2122cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2123 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2124 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2125 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2126 if there are no cscope connections;
2127 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2128
2129 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2130 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2131
2132 {num} Description of existence check
2133 ----- ------------------------------
2134 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2135 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2136 {dbpath}.
2137 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2138 {dbpath}.
2139 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2140 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2141 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2142 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2143
2144 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2145
2146 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2147
2148 # pid database name prepend path
2149 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2150<
2151 Invocation Return Val ~
2152 ---------- ---------- >
2153 cscope_connection() 1
2154 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2155 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2156 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2157 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2158 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2159 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2160 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2161<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002162cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2163cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002164 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002165 The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002166 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002167 with two or three items {lnum}, {col} and {off}. This is like
2168 the return value of |getpos()|, but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002169 Does not change the jumplist.
2170 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2171 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2172 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002173 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002174 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2175 line.
2176 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002177 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2178 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
2179 position within a Tab or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002180
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002181
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002182deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002183 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2184 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002185 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2186 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
2187 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002188 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002189 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2190 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2191 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2192 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2193 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2194 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002195 *E724*
2196 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002197 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2198 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002199 Also see |copy()|.
2200
2201delete({fname}) *delete()*
2202 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002203 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2204 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002205 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002206
2207 *did_filetype()*
2208did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2209 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2210 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2211 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2212 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2213 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2214 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2215 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2216 file.
2217
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002218diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2219 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2220 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2221 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2222 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2223 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2224 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2225 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2226
2227diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2228 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2229 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2230 diff change zero is returned.
2231 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2232 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2233 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2234 line.
2235 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2236 syntax information about the highlighting.
2237
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002238empty({expr}) *empty()*
2239 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002240 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
2241 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2242 For a long |List| this is much faster then comparing the
2243 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002244
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002245escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2246 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2247 backslash. Example: >
2248 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2249< results in: >
2250 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002251
2252< *eval()*
2253eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2254 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2255 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002256 Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002257
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002258eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2259 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2260 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2261 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2262 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2263
2264executable({expr}) *executable()*
2265 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2266 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002267 arguments.
2268 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2269 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2270 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2271 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2272 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2273 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2274 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2275 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2276 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2277 extension.
2278 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2279 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002280 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2281 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2282 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002283 The result is a Number:
2284 1 exists
2285 0 does not exist
2286 -1 not implemented on this system
2287
2288 *exists()*
2289exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2290 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2291 which contains one of these:
2292 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2293 not if it really works)
2294 +option-name Vim option that works.
2295 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2296 done by comparing with an empty
2297 string)
2298 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2299 or user defined function (see
2300 |user-functions|).
2301 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002302 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002303 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2304 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
2305 that this may cause functions to be
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002306 invoked cause an error message for an
2307 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002308 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2309 command or command modifier |:command|.
2310 Returns:
2311 1 for match with start of a command
2312 2 full match with a command
2313 3 matches several user commands
2314 To check for a supported command
2315 always check the return value to be 2.
Bram Moolenaar14716812006-05-04 21:54:08 +00002316 :2match The |:2match| command.
2317 :3match The |:3match| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002318 #event autocommand defined for this event
2319 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2320 pattern (the pattern is taken
2321 literally and compared to the
2322 autocommand patterns character by
2323 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002324 #group autocommand group exists
2325 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2326 event.
2327 #group#event#pattern
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002328 autocommand defined for this group,
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002329 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002330 ##event autocommand for this event is
2331 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002332 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2333
2334 Examples: >
2335 exists("&shortname")
2336 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2337 exists("*strftime")
2338 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2339 exists("bufcount")
2340 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002341 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002342 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002343 exists("#filetypeindent")
2344 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2345 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002346 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002347< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2348 name.
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00002349 Trailing characters that can't be part of the name are often
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00002350 ignored, but don't depend on it, it may change in the future!
2351 Example: >
2352 exists("*strftime()")
2353< This currently works, but it should really be: >
2354 exists("*strftime")
2355
2356< Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2357 variable itself. For example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002358 exists(bufcount)
2359< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00002360 but gets the value of "bufcount", and checks if that exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002361
2362expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2363 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2364 The result is a String.
2365
2366 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2367 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2368 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2369
2370 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2371 for a non-existing file is not included.
2372
2373 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2374 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2375 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2376
2377 % current file name
2378 # alternate file name
2379 #n alternate file name n
2380 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2381 <afile> autocmd file name
2382 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2383 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2384 <sfile> sourced script file name
2385 <cword> word under the cursor
2386 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2387 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2388 message |server2client()|
2389 Modifiers:
2390 :p expand to full path
2391 :h head (last path component removed)
2392 :t tail (last path component only)
2393 :r root (one extension removed)
2394 :e extension only
2395
2396 Example: >
2397 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2398< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2399 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2400 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2401< Use this: >
2402 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2403< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2404 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2405 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2406 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2407 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2408<
2409 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2410 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2411 to modify normal file names.
2412
2413 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2414 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2415 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2416 '/' added.
2417
2418 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2419 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2420 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2421 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002422 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2423 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2424 files in the current directory and below: >
2425 :echo expand("**/README")
2426<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002427 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2428 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2429 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2430 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2431 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2432 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2433 "$FOOBAR".
2434
2435 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2436 getting the raw output of an external command.
2437
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002438extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002439 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
2440 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002441
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002442 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002443 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2444 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2445 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2446 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002447 Examples: >
2448 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2449 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002450< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2451 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002452 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002453<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002454 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002455 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2456 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2457 used to decide what to do:
2458 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2459 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002460 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002461 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2462
2463 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2464 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2465 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2466 Returns {expr1}.
2467
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002468
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002469feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) *feedkeys()*
2470 Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00002471 come from a mapping or were typed by user. They are added to
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002472 the end of the typeahead buffer, thus if a mapping is still
2473 being executed these characters come after them.
2474 The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
2475 {string}.
2476 To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
2477 and "\..." notation |expr-quote|. For example,
2478 feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the Enter key. But
2479 feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
2480 If {mode} is absent, keys are remapped.
2481 {mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00002482 'm' Remap keys. This is default.
2483 'n' Do not remap keys.
2484 't' Handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
2485 if coming from a mapping. This matters for undo,
2486 opening folds, etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002487 Return value is always 0.
2488
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002489filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2490 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2491 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2492 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2493 expression, which is used as a String.
2494 *file_readable()*
2495 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2496
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002497
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002498filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002499 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002500 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002501 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002502 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002503 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002504 Examples: >
2505 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2506< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2507 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2508< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2509 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002510< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002511
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002512 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2513 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2514 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2515
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002516 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2517 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002518 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002519
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002520< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002521 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2522 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002523
2524
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002525finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002526 Find directory {name} in {path}. Returns the path of the
2527 first found match. When the found directory is below the
2528 current directory a relative path is returned. Otherwise a
2529 full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002530 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2531 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002532 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00002533 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002534 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002535 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2536
2537findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2538 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002539 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
2540 Example: >
2541 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2542< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2543 the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002544
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002545filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2546 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2547 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2548 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2549 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2550
2551fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2552 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2553 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2554 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2555 Example: >
2556 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2557< results in: >
2558 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2559< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2560 |expand()| first then.
2561
2562foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2563 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2564 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2565 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2566
2567foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2568 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2569 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2570 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2571
2572foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2573 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2574 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2575 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2576 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2577 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2578 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2579 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2580 previous line is usually available.
2581
2582 *foldtext()*
2583foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2584 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2585 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2586 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2587 The returned string looks like this: >
2588 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2589< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2590 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2591 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2592 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2593 options is removed.
2594 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2595
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002596foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2597 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2598 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2599 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2600 returned.
2601 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2602 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2603 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2604 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2605
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002606 *foreground()*
2607foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2608 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2609 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2610 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2611 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2612 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2613 Win32 console version}
2614
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002615
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002616function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002617 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002618 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2619
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002620
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002621garbagecollect() *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002622 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002623 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2624 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2625 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2626 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2627 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002628 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
2629 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
2630 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002631
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002632get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002633 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002634 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2635 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002636get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002637 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002638 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2639 {default} is omitted.
2640
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002641 *getbufline()*
2642getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002643 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2644 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
2645 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002646
2647 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2648
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002649 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2650 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002651
2652 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002653 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002654
2655 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2656 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002657 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002658 returned.
2659
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002660 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002661 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002662
2663 Example: >
2664 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002665
2666getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2667 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2668 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2669 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002670 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2671 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2672 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002673 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2674 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2675 returned, there is no error message.
2676 Examples: >
2677 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2678 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2679<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002680getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2681 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2682 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2683 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2684 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2685 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2686 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2687 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
Bram Moolenaar14716812006-05-04 21:54:08 +00002688 not consumed. If one is available a non-zero
2689 number is returned. For a one-byte character
2690 it is the character itself.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002691 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2692 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2693 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2694 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2695 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2696 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2697 user that a character has to be typed.
2698 There is no mapping for the character.
2699 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2700 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2701 sequence. Examples: >
2702 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2703 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2704< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2705 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2706 :function FindChar()
2707 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2708 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2709 : normal l
2710 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2711 : break
2712 : endif
2713 : endwhile
2714 :endfunction
2715
2716getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2717 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2718 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2719 These values are added together:
2720 2 shift
2721 4 control
2722 8 alt (meta)
2723 16 mouse double click
2724 32 mouse triple click
2725 64 mouse quadruple click
2726 128 Macintosh only: command
2727 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2728 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2729 with no modifier.
2730
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002731getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2732 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2733 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2734 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2735 Example: >
2736 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002737< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002738
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002739getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002740 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2741 byte count. The first column is 1.
2742 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2743 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002744 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2745
2746getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
2747 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
2748 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00002749 : normal Ex command
2750 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
2751 / forward search command
2752 ? backward search command
2753 @ |input()| command
2754 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002755 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2756 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
2757 otherwise.
2758 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002759
2760 *getcwd()*
2761getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2762 working directory.
2763
2764getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2765 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2766 given file {fname}.
2767 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2768 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2769
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002770getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2771 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2772 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2773 |hl-Normal|.
2774 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2775 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2776 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2777 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00002778 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002779 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2780 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002781 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2782 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002783
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002784getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2785 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2786 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2787 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2788 empty string is returned.
2789 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2790 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2791 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2792 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2793 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2794 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2795< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2796 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002797
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002798getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2799 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2800 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2801 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2802 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2803 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2804
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002805getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2806 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2807 file of the given file {fname}.
2808 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2809 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2810 results:
2811 Normal file "file"
2812 Directory "dir"
2813 Symbolic link "link"
2814 Block device "bdev"
2815 Character device "cdev"
2816 Socket "socket"
2817 FIFO "fifo"
2818 All other "other"
2819 Example: >
2820 getftype("/home")
2821< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2822 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2823 "file" are returned.
2824
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002825 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002826getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2827 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2828 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002829 getline(1)
2830< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2831 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2832 To get the line under the cursor: >
2833 getline(".")
2834< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2835 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2836
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002837 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
2838 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002839 including line {end}.
2840 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2841 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002842 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002843 Example: >
2844 :let start = line('.')
2845 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2846 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2847
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00002848getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
2849 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
2850 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
2851 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002852 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
2853 returned. Otherwise, same as getqflist().
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002854
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002855getqflist() *getqflist()*
2856 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2857 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2858 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2859 bufname() to get the name
2860 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2861 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002862 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2863 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002864 nr error number
2865 text description of the error
2866 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2867 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2868
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002869 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
2870 returned.
2871
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002872 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2873 do something with them: >
2874 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2875 :for d in getqflist()
2876 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2877 :endfor
2878
2879
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002880getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002881 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002882 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002883 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2884< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002885 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002886 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2887 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2888 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002889 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2890
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002891
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002892getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2893 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2894 The value will be one of:
2895 "v" for |characterwise| text
2896 "V" for |linewise| text
2897 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2898 0 for an empty or unknown register
2899 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2900 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2901
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00002902gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}) *gettabwinvar()*
2903 Get the value of an option or local window variable {varname}
2904 in window {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
2905 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
2906 use |getwinvar()|.
2907 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
2908 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
2909 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
2910 or buffer-local variable.
2911 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2912 Examples: >
2913 :let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
2914 :echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
2915
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002916 *getwinposx()*
2917getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2918 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2919 -1 if the information is not available.
2920
2921 *getwinposy()*
2922getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2923 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2924 information is not available.
2925
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00002926getwinvar({winnr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2927 Like |gettabwinvar()| for the current tabpage.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002928 Examples: >
2929 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2930 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2931<
2932 *glob()*
2933glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2934 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2935 characters.
2936 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2937 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2938
2939 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2940 any external command. Example: >
2941 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2942 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2943< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2944 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2945
2946 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2947 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2948
2949globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2950 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2951 the results. Example: >
2952 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2953< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2954 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2955 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2956 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2957 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2958 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2959 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2960 error message.
2961 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2962 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2963
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002964 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
2965 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
2966 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
2967 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
2968<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002969 *has()*
2970has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2971 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2972 string. See |feature-list| below.
2973 Also see |exists()|.
2974
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002975
2976has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002977 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
2978 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002979
2980
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00002981hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002982 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2983 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2984 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2985 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00002986 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002987 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
2988 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002989 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2990 buffer are checked for a match.
2991 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2992 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2993 n Normal mode
2994 v Visual mode
2995 o Operator-pending mode
2996 i Insert mode
2997 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2998 c Command-line mode
2999 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
3000
3001 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
3002 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
3003 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
3004 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
3005 :endif
3006< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
3007 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
3008
3009histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
3010 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
3011 one of: *hist-names*
3012 "cmd" or ":" command line history
3013 "search" or "/" search pattern history
3014 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
3015 "input" or "@" input line history
3016 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
3017 shifted to become the newest entry.
3018 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
3019 otherwise 0 is returned.
3020
3021 Example: >
3022 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
3023 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
3024< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3025
3026histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003027 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003028 for the possible values of {history}.
3029
3030 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
3031 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
3032 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
3033 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
3034 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
3035 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
3036 if it exists.
3037
3038 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
3039 otherwise 0 is returned.
3040
3041 Examples:
3042 Clear expression register history: >
3043 :call histdel("expr")
3044<
3045 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
3046 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
3047<
3048 The following three are equivalent: >
3049 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
3050 :call histdel("search", -1)
3051 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
3052<
3053 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
3054 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
3055 :call histdel("search", -1)
3056 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
3057
3058histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
3059 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
3060 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
3061 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
3062 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
3063 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
3064
3065 Examples:
3066 Redo the second last search from history. >
3067 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
3068
3069< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
3070 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
3071 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
3072<
3073histnr({history}) *histnr()*
3074 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
3075 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
3076 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
3077
3078 Example: >
3079 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
3080<
3081hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
3082 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
3083 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
3084 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
3085 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
3086 item.
3087 *highlight_exists()*
3088 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
3089
3090 *hlID()*
3091hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
3092 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
3093 zero is returned.
3094 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
3095 group. For example, to get the background color of the
3096 "Comment" group: >
3097 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
3098< *highlightID()*
3099 Obsolete name: highlightID().
3100
3101hostname() *hostname()*
3102 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003103 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003104 256 characters long are truncated.
3105
3106iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
3107 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
3108 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
3109 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
3110 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
3111 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
3112 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
3113 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
3114 can be done.
3115 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
3116 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
3117 UTF-8 and use: >
3118 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
3119< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
3120 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
3121 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
3122 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
3123
3124 *indent()*
3125indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
3126 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
3127 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
3128 |getline()|.
3129 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
3130
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003131
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003132index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003133 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003134 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003135 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
3136 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003137 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
3138 case must match.
3139 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
3140 Example: >
3141 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003142 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003143
3144
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003145input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003146 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
3147 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
3148 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003149 prompt to start a new line.
3150 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3151 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
3152 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
3153 for lines typed for input().
3154 Example: >
3155 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3156 : echo "Cheers!"
3157 :endif
3158<
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003159 If the optional {text} is present and not empty, this is used
3160 for the default reply, as if the user typed this. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003161 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3162
3163< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3164 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
3165 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
3166 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
3167 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
3168 more information. Example: >
3169 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3170<
3171 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3172 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003173 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3174 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3175 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3176 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3177 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3178 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3179 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3180
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003181 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003182 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3183 :function GetFoo()
3184 : call inputsave()
3185 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3186 : call inputrestore()
3187 :endfunction
3188
3189inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
3190 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
3191 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
3192 Example: >
3193 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3194 :if n != ""
3195 : let &sw = n
3196 :endif
3197< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3198 omitted an empty string is returned.
3199 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3200 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003201 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003202
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003203inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003204 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
3205 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
3206 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003207 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
3208 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
3209 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3210 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3211 is returned.
3212 Make sure {textlist} has less then 'lines' entries, otherwise
3213 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
3214 the start of the string. Example: >
3215 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3216 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3217
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003218inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
3219 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
3220 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3221 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3222 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3223
3224inputsave() *inputsave()*
3225 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3226 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3227 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3228 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3229 many inputrestore() calls.
3230 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3231
3232inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3233 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3234 two exceptions:
3235 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3236 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3237 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3238 |history| stack.
3239 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3240 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003241 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003242
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003243insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003244 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003245 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
3246 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
3247 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3248 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003249 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003250 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3251 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3252 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003253< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003254 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003255 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003256
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003257isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3258 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3259 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3260 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3261 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3262
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003263islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003264 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3265 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003266 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3267 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003268 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3269 :lockvar 1 alist
3270 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3271 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3272
3273< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003274 message. Use |exists()| to check for existence.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003275
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003276items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003277 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3278 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3279 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3280 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003281
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003282
3283join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3284 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3285 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3286 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3287 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3288 add it there too: >
3289 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003290< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003291 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3292 The opposite function is |split()|.
3293
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003294keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003295 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003296 arbitrary order.
3297
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003298 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003299len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3300 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3301 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003302 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003303 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003304 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3305 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003306 Otherwise an error is given.
3307
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003308 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3309libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3310 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3311 with single argument {argument}.
3312 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3313 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3314 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3315 limited.
3316 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3317 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3318 to Vim.
3319 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3320 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3321 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3322 null-terminated string.
3323 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3324
3325 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3326 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3327 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3328 very probably crash.
3329
3330 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3331 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3332 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3333 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3334 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3335 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3336 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3337 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3338 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3339 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3340
3341 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
3342 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
3343 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3344 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3345 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3346 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3347 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3348 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3349 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3350 feature is present}
3351 Examples: >
3352 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
3353 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
3354<
3355 *libcallnr()*
3356libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3357 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3358 int instead of a string.
3359 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3360 feature is present}
3361 Example (not very useful...): >
3362 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3363 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3364<
3365 *line()*
3366line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3367 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3368 . the cursor position
3369 $ the last line in the current buffer
3370 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3371 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003372 w0 first line visible in current window
3373 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003374 Note that a mark in another file can be used.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003375 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
3376 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003377 Examples: >
3378 line(".") line number of the cursor
3379 line("'t") line number of mark t
3380 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3381< *last-position-jump*
3382 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3383 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3384 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003385
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003386line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3387 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3388 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3389 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3390 line returns 1.
3391 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3392 below the last line: >
3393 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3394< This is the file size plus one.
3395 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3396 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3397 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3398
3399lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3400 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3401 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3402 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3403 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3404 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3405 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3406
3407localtime() *localtime()*
3408 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3409 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3410
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003411
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003412map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003413 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003414 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3415 {string}.
3416 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003417 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003418 Example: >
3419 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003420< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003421
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003422 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003423 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003424 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3425 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003426
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003427 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3428 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003429 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003430
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003431< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003432 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3433 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003434
3435
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003436maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *maparg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003437 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3438 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003439 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003440 "n" Normal
3441 "v" Visual
3442 "o" Operator-pending
3443 "i" Insert
3444 "c" Cmd-line
3445 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3446 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003447 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003448 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3449 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003450 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3451 command. The returned String has special characters
3452 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3453 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3454 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00003455 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
3456 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
3457 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
3458
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003459
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003460mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003461 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3462 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3463 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003464 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3465 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003466 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3467 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3468
3469 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3470 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3471 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3472 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3473 mapcheck("b") no no no
3474
3475 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3476 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3477 mapping for {name} exactly.
3478 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3479 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3480 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3481 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3482 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3483 then the global mappings.
3484 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3485 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3486 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3487 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3488 :endif
3489< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3490 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3491
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003492match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003493 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
3494 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003495 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003496 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3497 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3498 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003499 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003500 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3501 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003502 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003503 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003504< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003505 *strpbrk()*
3506 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3507 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3508< *strcasestr()*
3509 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3510 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3511 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3512<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003513 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003514 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003515 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003516 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003517 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3518< result is again "4". >
3519 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3520< result is again "4". >
3521 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3522< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003523 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003524 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
3525 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
3526 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
3527 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003528 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3529 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003530 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
3531 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003532
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003533 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003534 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003535 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
3536 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
3537< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003538 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
3539 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003540
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003541 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3542 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3543 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3544 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3545
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003546
3547matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003548 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003549 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
3550 Return a |List| with two elements:
3551 The name of the highlight group used
3552 The pattern used.
3553 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
3554 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
3555 This is usef to save and restore a |:match|.
3556
3557
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003558matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003559 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3560 the match. Example: >
3561 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3562< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003563 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3564 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3565 do it with matchend(): >
3566 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3567 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3568< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3569
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003570 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3571 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3572< results in "7". >
3573 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3574< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003575 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003576
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003577matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003578 Same as match(), but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003579 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3580 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00003581 in |:substitute|. When an optional submatch didn't match an
3582 empty string is used. Example: >
3583 echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
3584< Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003585 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3586
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003587matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003588 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3589 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3590< results in "ing".
3591 When there is no match "" is returned.
3592 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3593 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3594< results in "ing". >
3595 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3596< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003597 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003598 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003599
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003600 *max()*
3601max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3602 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3603 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003604 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003605
3606 *min()*
3607min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3608 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3609 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003610 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003611
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003612 *mkdir()* *E739*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003613mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3614 Create directory {name}.
3615 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3616 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3617 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3618 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3619 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3620 for others.
3621 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3622 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3623 :if exists("*mkdir")
3624<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003625 *mode()*
3626mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3627 n Normal
3628 v Visual by character
3629 V Visual by line
3630 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3631 s Select by character
3632 S Select by line
3633 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3634 i Insert
3635 R Replace
3636 c Command-line
3637 r Hit-enter prompt
3638 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3639 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3640
3641nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3642 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3643 that is not blank. Example: >
3644 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3645< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3646 below it, zero is returned.
3647 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3648
3649nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3650 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3651 value {expr}. Examples: >
3652 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3653 nr2char(32) returns " "
3654< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3655 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3656< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3657 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3658 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003659 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003660
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003661 *getpos()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003662getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
3663 see |line()|.
3664 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
3665 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
3666 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
3667 is the buffer number of the mark.
3668 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
3669 column is 1.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003670 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
3671 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
3672 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
3673 character.
3674 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
3675 let save_cursor = getpos(".")
3676 MoveTheCursorAround
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00003677 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003678< Also see |setpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003679
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003680pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
3681 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
3682 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
3683 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
3684 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
3685 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
3686< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
3687 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
3688
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003689prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3690 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3691 that is not blank. Example: >
3692 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3693< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3694 above it, zero is returned.
3695 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3696
3697
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003698printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
3699 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
3700 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003701 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003702< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003703 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003704
3705 Often used items are:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003706 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003707 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
3708 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003709 %c single byte
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003710 %d decimal number
3711 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
3712 %x hex number
3713 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
3714 %X hex number using upper case letters
3715 %o octal number
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003716 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003717
3718 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
3719 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
3720 the result.
3721
3722 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003723 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003724
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003725 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003726
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003727 flags
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003728 Zero or more of the following flags:
3729
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003730 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
3731 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
3732 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
3733 of the number is increased to force the first
3734 character of the output string to a zero (except
3735 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
3736 precision of zero).
3737 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
3738 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
3739 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003740
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003741 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
3742 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
3743 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
3744 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
3745 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003746
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003747 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
3748 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
3749 The converted value is padded on the right with
3750 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
3751 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003752
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003753 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
3754 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003755
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003756 + A sign must always be placed before a number
3757 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
3758 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003759
3760 field-width
3761 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003762 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
3763 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
3764 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
3765 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003766
3767 .precision
3768 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
3769 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
3770 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
3771 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
3772 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003773 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003774
3775 type
3776 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
3777 be applied, see below.
3778
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003779 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
3780 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
3781 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
3782 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
3783 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
3784 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003785 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003786< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003787 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003788
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003789 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003790
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003791 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
3792 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
3793 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
3794 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003795 conversions.
3796 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
3797 digits that must appear; if the converted value
3798 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
3799 zeros.
3800 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
3801 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
3802 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
3803 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
3804
3805 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
3806 resulting character is written.
3807
3808 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
3809 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
3810 specified are used.
3811
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003812 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
3813 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003814
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003815 Each argument can be Number or String and is converted
3816 automatically to fit the conversion specifier. Any other
3817 argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003818
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00003819 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003820 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
3821 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003822 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003823
3824
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003825pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
3826 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
3827 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00003828 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
3829 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003830
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003831 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003832range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003833 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003834 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3835 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3836 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3837 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3838 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003839 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
3840 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
3841 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003842 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003843 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003844 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3845 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003846 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003847 range(0) " []
3848 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003849<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003850 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003851readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003852 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
3853 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003854 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3855 NL appears somewhere).
3856 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3857 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3858 added.
3859 - No CR characters are removed.
3860 Otherwise:
3861 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3862 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3863 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003864 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
3865 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
3866 lines of a file: >
3867 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
3868 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
3869 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003870< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
3871 are returned, or as many as there are.
3872 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003873 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
3874 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
3875 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003876 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3877 the result is an empty list.
3878 Also see |writefile()|.
3879
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00003880reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
3881 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
3882 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
3883 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
3884 Without an argument it returns the current time.
3885 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
3886 specified in the argument.
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003887 With two arguments it returns the time passed between {start}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00003888 and {end}.
3889 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
3890 reltime().
3891 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
3892
3893reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
3894 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
3895 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
3896 microseconds. Example: >
3897 let start = reltime()
3898 call MyFunction()
3899 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
3900< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
3901 The accuracy depends on the system.
3902 Also see |profiling|.
3903 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
3904
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003905 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3906remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3907 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3908 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003909 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
3910 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
3911 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003912 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3913 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3914 remote_read() is stored there.
3915 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3916 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3917 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3918 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3919 and the result will be the empty string.
3920 Examples: >
3921 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3922 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3923<
3924
3925remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3926 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3927 This works like: >
3928 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3929< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3930 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3931 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00003932 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
3933 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003934 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3935 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3936 Win32 console version}
3937
3938
3939remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3940 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3941 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3942 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3943 name of a variable.
3944 Returns zero if none are available.
3945 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3946 See also |clientserver|.
3947 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3948 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3949 Examples: >
3950 :let repl = ""
3951 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3952
3953remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3954 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3955 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3956 See also |clientserver|.
3957 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3958 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3959 Example: >
3960 :echo remote_read(id)
3961<
3962 *remote_send()* *E241*
3963remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003964 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3965 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3966 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003967 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
3968 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
3969 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003970 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3971 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3972 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3973 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3974 up the display.
3975 Examples: >
3976 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3977 \ remote_read(serverid)
3978
3979 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3980 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3981 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3982 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003983<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003984remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003985 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003986 return it.
3987 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3988 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3989 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3990 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3991 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003992 Example: >
3993 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003994 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003995remove({dict}, {key})
3996 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3997 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3998< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3999
4000 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004001
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004002rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
4003 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
4004 should also work to move files across file systems. The
4005 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
4006 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
4007 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4008
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004009repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
4010 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
4011 result. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004012 :let separator = repeat('-', 80)
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004013< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004014 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004015 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004016 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
4017< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004018
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004019
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004020resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
4021 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
4022 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
4023 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
4024 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
4025 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
4026 stopped after 100 iterations.
4027 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
4028 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
4029 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
4030 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
4031 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
4032
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004033 *reverse()*
4034reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
4035 {list}.
4036 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4037 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
4038
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004039search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004040 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004041 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004042
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004043 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
4044 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004045 'c' accept a match at the cursor position
4046 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004047 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004048 'p' return number of matching sub-pattern (see below)
4049 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004050 'w' wrap around the end of the file
4051 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
4052 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
4053
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00004054 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
4055 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
4056 flag.
4057
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004058 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
4059 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
4060 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
4061 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
4062 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
4063< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
4064 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
4065
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004066 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
4067 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004068 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
4069 *search()-sub-match*
4070 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
4071 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
4072 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004073 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004074
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004075 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
4076 flag is used.
4077
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004078 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
4079 :let n = 1
4080 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
4081 : exe "argument " . n
4082 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
4083 : " first search to find match at start of file
4084 : normal G$
4085 : let flags = "w"
4086 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
4087 : s/foo/bar/g
4088 : let flags = "W"
4089 : endwhile
4090 : update " write the file if modified
4091 : let n = n + 1
4092 :endwhile
4093<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004094 Example for using some flags: >
4095 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
4096< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
4097 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
4098 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
4099 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
4100 line:
4101 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
4102 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
4103 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
4104 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
4105 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
4106
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004107
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004108searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
4109 Search for the declaration of {name}.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004110
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004111 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
4112 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
4113 first match in the function.
4114
4115 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
4116 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
4117 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
4118
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004119 Moves the cursor to the found match.
4120 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4121 Example: >
4122 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
4123 echo getline('.')
4124 endif
4125<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004126 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004127searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004128 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
4129 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
4130 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004131 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
4132 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
4133 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
4134 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
4135 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
4136 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004137
4138 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
4139 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
4140 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
4141 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
4142 typical use is: >
4143 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
4144< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
4145
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004146 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
4147 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004148 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
4149 outer pair
4150 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004151 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004152
4153 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
4154 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
4155 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
4156 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
4157 or a string.
4158 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
4159 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
4160 and -1 returned.
4161
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004162 For {stopline} see |search()|.
4163
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004164 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
4165 patterns are used like it's on.
4166
4167 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
4168 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
4169 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
4170 if 1
4171 if 2
4172 endif 2
4173 endif 1
4174< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
4175 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
4176 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
4177 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
4178 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
4179 "endif 2".
4180 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
4181 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
4182 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
4183 the matching start.
4184
4185 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
4186
4187 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
4188 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
4189
4190< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
4191 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
4192 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
4193 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
4194 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
4195 match.
4196 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
4197
4198 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
4199
4200< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
4201 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
4202 highlighting recognized as strings: >
4203
4204 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
4205 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
4206<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004207 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004208searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004209 Same as searchpair(), but returns a |List| with the line and
4210 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4211 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004212 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4213 returns [0, 0].
4214>
4215 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
4216<
4217 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
4218
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004219searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *searchpos()*
4220 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004221 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4222 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
4223 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4224 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004225 Example: >
4226 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
4227
4228< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
4229 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
4230 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
4231< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
4232 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
4233
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004234server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
4235 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
4236 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
4237 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4238 Note:
4239 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004240 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004241 before calling any commands that waits for input.
4242 See also |clientserver|.
4243 Example: >
4244 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
4245<
4246serverlist() *serverlist()*
4247 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
4248 When there are no servers or the information is not available
4249 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
4250 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4251 Example: >
4252 :echo serverlist()
4253<
4254setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
4255 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
4256 {val}.
4257 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
4258 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
4259 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
4260 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
4261 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
4262 Examples: >
4263 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
4264 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
4265< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4266
4267setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
4268 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
4269 {pos}. The first position is 1.
4270 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
4271 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004272 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
4273 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
4274 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
4275 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
4276 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004277 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
4278 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
4279 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
4280 line.
4281
4282setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004283 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
4284 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004285 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
4286 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004287 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
4288 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004289 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004290< When {line} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004291 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
4292 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
4293< This is equivalent to: >
4294 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
4295 : call setline(n, l)
4296 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004297< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
4298
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004299setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
4300 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
4301 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004302 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
4303 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004304 Otherwise, same as setqflist().
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004305
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004306 *setpos()*
4307setpos({expr}, {list})
4308 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
4309 . the cursor
4310 'x mark x
4311
4312 {list} must be a |List| with four numbers:
4313 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4314
4315 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004316 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004317 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
4318 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
4319 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004320 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004321
4322 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4323 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark.
4324
4325 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
4326 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
4327 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
4328 character.
4329
4330 Also see |getpos()|
4331
4332
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004333setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004334 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
4335 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
4336 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
4337 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004338
4339 filename name of a file
4340 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004341 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004342 col column number
4343 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004344 when zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004345 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004346 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004347 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004348
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004349 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
4350 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
4351 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004352 If the "filename" entry is not present or neither the "lnum"
4353 or "pattern" entries are present, then the item will not be
4354 handled as an error line.
4355 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
4356 be used.
4357
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004358 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
4359 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
4360 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
4361 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
4362 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
4363 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
4364
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004365 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
4366
4367 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
4368 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
4369 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
4370
4371
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004372 *setreg()*
4373setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
4374 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
4375 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
4376 then the value is appended.
4377 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
4378 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
4379 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
4380 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
4381 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
4382 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
4383 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
4384 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
4385
4386 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
4387 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
4388 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
4389 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4390
4391 Examples: >
4392 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
4393 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
4394 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
4395
4396< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
4397 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004398 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004399 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
4400 ....
4401 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
4402
4403< You can also change the type of a register by appending
4404 nothing: >
4405 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
4406
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004407settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabwinvar()*
4408 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
4409 {val}.
4410 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
4411 use |setwinvar()|.
4412 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004413 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
4414 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
4415 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
4416 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004417 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
4418 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
4419 Examples: >
4420 :call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
4421 :call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
4422< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4423
4424setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
4425 Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004426 Examples: >
4427 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
4428 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004429
4430simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
4431 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
4432 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
4433 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
4434 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
4435 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
4436 not removed either.
4437 Example: >
4438 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
4439< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
4440 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
4441 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
4442 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
4443 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
4444
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004445
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004446sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004447 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
4448 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4449 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
4450< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004451 Numbers sort after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004452 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004453 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004454 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
4455 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004456 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
4457 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
4458 sorts before the second one. Example: >
4459 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
4460 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
4461 endfunc
4462 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004463<
4464
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004465 *soundfold()*
4466soundfold({word})
4467 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
4468 language in 'spellang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004469 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
4470 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004471 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
4472 the method can be quite slow.
4473
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004474 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004475spellbadword([{sentence}])
4476 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
4477 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
4478 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
4479 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
4480
4481 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
4482 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
4483 result is an empty string.
4484
4485 The return value is a list with two items:
4486 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
4487 - The type of the spelling error:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004488 "bad" spelling mistake
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004489 "rare" rare word
4490 "local" word only valid in another region
4491 "caps" word should start with Capital
4492 Example: >
4493 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
4494< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
4495
4496 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
4497 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
4498 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004499
4500 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004501spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004502 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004503 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
4504 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
4505
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004506 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
4507 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
4508 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
4509
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004510 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
4511 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00004512 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
4513 replace a line.
4514
4515 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004516 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
4517 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004518
4519 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004520 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
4521 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004522
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004523
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004524split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004525 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
4526 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
4527 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004528 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004529 removing the matched characters.
4530 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
4531 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00004532 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
4533 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004534 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004535 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004536< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004537 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00004538< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
4539 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
4540< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004541 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
4542 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
4543< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004544
4545
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004546str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
4547 Convert string {expr} to a number.
4548 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 8, 10 or 16.
4549 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
4550 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
4551 with the default String to Number conversion.
4552 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
4553 different base the result will be zero.
4554 Text after the number is silently ignored.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004555
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004556
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004557strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
4558 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
4559 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
4560 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
4561 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
4562 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
4563 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
4564 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
4565 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
4566 Examples: >
4567 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
4568 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
4569 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
4570 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
4571 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
4572 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004573< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4574 :if exists("*strftime")
4575
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004576stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
4577 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4578 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004579 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
4580 This can be used to find a second match: >
4581 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
4582 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
4583< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004584 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004585 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004586 See also |strridx()|.
4587 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004588 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
4589 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
4590 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004591< *strstr()* *strchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004592 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
4593 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
4594
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004595 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004596string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
4597 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
4598 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004599 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004600 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004601 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004602 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004603 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004604 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004605 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004606
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004607 *strlen()*
4608strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004609 {expr} in bytes.
4610 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
4611 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004612
4613 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004614<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004615 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
4616 For other types an error is given.
4617 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004618
4619strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
4620 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004621 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004622 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
4623 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
4624 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
4625 end of the {src}. >
4626 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
4627 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
4628 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
4629 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
4630< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
4631 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00004632 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004633<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004634strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
4635 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4636 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
4637 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
4638 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
4639 match: >
4640 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
4641 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
4642< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004643 For pattern searches use |match()|.
4644 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004645 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004646 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004647 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004648< *strrchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004649 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
4650 function strrchr().
4651
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004652strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
4653 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
4654 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
4655 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
4656 echo strtrans(@a)
4657< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
4658 starting a new line.
4659
4660submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
4661 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
4662 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
4663 the whole matched text is returned.
4664 Example: >
4665 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
4666< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
4667 A line break is included as a newline character.
4668
4669substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
4670 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
4671 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
4672 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
4673 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
4674 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
4675 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
4676 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
4677 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
4678 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
4679 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
4680 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
4681 unmodified.
4682 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
4683 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
4684 Example: >
4685 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
4686< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
4687 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
4688< results in "TESTING".
4689
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004690synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004691 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004692 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004693 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
4694 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004695
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004696 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004697 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
4698
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004699 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
4700 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
4701 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
4702 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
4703 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
4704 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
4705 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
4706
4707 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
4708 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
4709<
4710synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
4711 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
4712 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
4713 about a syntax item.
4714 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
4715 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
4716 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
4717 used (GUI, cterm or term).
4718 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
4719 {what} result
4720 "name" the name of the syntax item
4721 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
4722 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
4723 term: empty string)
4724 "bg" background color (like "fg")
4725 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
4726 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
4727 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
4728 "bold" "1" if bold
4729 "italic" "1" if italic
4730 "reverse" "1" if reverse
4731 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
4732 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004733 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004734
4735 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
4736 cursor): >
4737 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
4738<
4739synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
4740 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
4741 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
4742 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
4743 ":highlight link" are followed.
4744
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004745system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
4746 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
4747 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
4748 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
4749 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004750 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004751 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
4752 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
4753 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004754 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
4755 The result is a String. Example: >
4756
4757 :let files = system("ls")
4758
4759< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
4760 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
4761 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
4762 The command executed is constructed using several options:
4763 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
4764 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
4765 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
4766 concatenated commands.
4767
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004768 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
4769 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
4770
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004771 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
4772 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00004773
4774 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
4775 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
4776 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004777 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
4778 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
4779
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004780
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004781tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004782 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004783 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
4784 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
4785 omitted the current tab page is used.
4786 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
4787 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
4788 tablist = []
4789 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
4790 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
4791 endfor
4792< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
4793
4794
4795tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004796 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4797 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
4798 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
4799 page is returned (the tab page count).
4800 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
4801
4802
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004803tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
4804 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {arg}.
4805 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
4806 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
4807 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
4808 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
4809 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
4810 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
4811 Useful examples: >
4812 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
4813 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
4814< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
4815
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00004816 *tagfiles()*
4817tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
4818 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
4819
4820
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004821taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
4822 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00004823 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
4824 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004825 name Name of the tag.
4826 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004827 defined.
4828 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
4829 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004830 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004831 entry depends on the language specific
4832 kind values generated by the ctags
4833 tool.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004834 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004835 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004836 The "kind" entry is only available when using Exuberant ctags
4837 generated tags file. More entries may be present, depending
4838 on the content of the tags file: access, implementation,
4839 inherits and signature. Refer to the ctags documentation for
4840 information about these fields. For C code the fields
4841 "struct", "class" and "enum" may appear, they give the name of
4842 the entity the tag is contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004843
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004844 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
4845 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004846
4847 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
4848
4849 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
4850 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
4851 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
4852
4853 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
4854 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
4855 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
4856
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004857tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
4858 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
4859 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
4860 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
4861 :let tmpfile = tempname()
4862 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
4863< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
4864 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
4865 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
4866 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
4867 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
4868 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
4869
4870tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
4871 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
4872 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
4873 the string).
4874
4875toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
4876 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
4877 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
4878 the string).
4879
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00004880tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
4881 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
4882 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
4883 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
4884 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
4885 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
4886 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
4887
4888 Examples: >
4889 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
4890< returns "Hello THere" >
4891 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
4892< returns "{blob}"
4893
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004894 *type()*
4895type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004896 Number: 0
4897 String: 1
4898 Funcref: 2
4899 List: 3
4900 Dictionary: 4
4901 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004902 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
4903 :if type(myvar) == type("")
4904 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
4905 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004906 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004907
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004908values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004909 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
4910 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004911
4912
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004913virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
4914 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
4915 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
4916 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
4917 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
4918 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
4919 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
4920 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004921 For the use of {expr} see |col()|. Additionally you can use
Bram Moolenaar5c8837f2006-02-25 21:52:33 +00004922 [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line and column number. When
4923 "lnum" or "col" is out of range then virtcol() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004924 When 'virtualedit' is used it can be [lnum, col, off], where
4925 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
4926 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
4927 character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004928 For the byte position use |col()|.
4929 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
4930 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
4931 The accepted positions are:
4932 . the cursor position
4933 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
4934 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
4935 plus one)
4936 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
4937 returned)
4938 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
4939 Examples: >
4940 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
4941 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
4942 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
4943< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
4944
4945visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
4946 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004947 used in the current buffer. Initially it returns an empty
4948 string, but once Visual mode has been used, it returns "v",
4949 "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a single CTRL-V character) for
4950 character-wise, line-wise, or block-wise Visual mode
4951 respectively.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004952 Example: >
4953 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
4954< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
4955 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
4956 Visual mode that was used.
4957
4958 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
4959 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
4960 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
4961 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
4962
4963 *winbufnr()*
4964winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004965 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004966 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
4967 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4968 Example: >
4969 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
4970<
4971 *wincol()*
4972wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
4973 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
4974 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
4975
4976winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
4977 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
4978 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
4979 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4980 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
4981 Examples: >
4982 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
4983<
4984 *winline()*
4985winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
4986 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
4987 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004988 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
4989 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004990
4991 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004992winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4993 window. The top window has number 1.
4994 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004995 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004996 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
4997 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
4998 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
4999 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
5000 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005001
5002 *winrestcmd()*
5003winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
5004 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005005 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
5006 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005007 Example: >
5008 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
5009 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
5010 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005011<
5012 *winrestview()*
5013winrestview({dict})
5014 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
5015 the view of the current window.
5016 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
5017 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
5018
5019 *winsaveview()*
5020winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
5021 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
5022 restore the view.
5023 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
5024 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
5025 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005026 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
5027 not opened when moving around.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005028 The return value includes:
5029 lnum cursor line number
5030 col cursor column
5031 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
5032 curswant column for vertical movement
5033 topline first line in the window
5034 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
5035 leftcol first column displayed
5036 skipcol columns skipped
5037 Note that no option values are saved.
5038
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005039
5040winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
5041 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
5042 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
5043 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5044 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
5045 Examples: >
5046 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
5047 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
5048 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
5049 :endif
5050<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005051 *writefile()*
5052writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005053 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005054 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
5055 Number.
5056 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
5057 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
5058 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
5059 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
5060 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
5061 to writefile().
5062 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
5063 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
5064 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
5065 fails.
5066 Also see |readfile()|.
5067 To copy a file byte for byte: >
5068 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
5069 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
5070<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005071
5072 *feature-list*
5073There are three types of features:
50741. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
5075 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
5076 :if has("cindent")
50772. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
5078 Example: >
5079 :if has("gui_running")
5080< *has-patch*
50813. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
5082 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
5083 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
5084 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
5085
5086all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
5087amiga Amiga version of Vim.
5088arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
5089arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00005090autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005091balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00005092balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005093beos BeOS version of Vim.
5094browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
5095 work.
5096builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
5097byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
5098cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
5099clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
5100clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
5101cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
5102cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
5103cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
5104comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
5105cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
5106cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
5107compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
5108debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
5109dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
5110dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
5111diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
5112digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
5113dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
5114dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
5115dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
5116ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
5117emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
5118eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
5119 true, of course!
5120ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
5121extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
5122 |'hlsearch'|
5123farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
5124file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005125filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
5126 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005127find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
5128 |+find_in_path|.
5129fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
5130 Windows this is not present).
5131folding Compiled with |folding| support.
5132footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
5133fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
5134gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
5135gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
5136gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005137gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
5138gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
5139gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
5140gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
5141gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
5142gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
5143gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
5144gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
5145hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
5146iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
5147insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
5148 Insert mode.
5149jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
5150keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
5151langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
5152libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
5153linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
5154 support.
5155lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
5156listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
5157 and the argument list |arglist|.
5158localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
5159mac Macintosh version of Vim.
5160macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
5161menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
5162mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
5163modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
5164mouse Compiled with support mouse.
5165mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
5166mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
5167mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
5168mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
5169mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
5170mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
5171multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
5172multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
5173multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00005174mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005175netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00005176netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005177ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
5178os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
5179osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
5180path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
5181perl Compiled with Perl interface.
5182postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
5183printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005184profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005185python Compiled with Python interface.
5186qnx QNX version of Vim.
5187quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00005188reltime Compiled with |reltime()| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005189rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
5190ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
5191scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
5192showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
5193signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
5194smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00005195sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005196statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
5197 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
5198sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00005199spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
5200syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005201syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
5202 current buffer.
5203system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
5204tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
5205 |tag-binary-search|.
5206tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
5207 |tag-old-static|.
5208tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
5209 files |tag-any-white|.
5210tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
5211terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
5212termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
5213textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
5214tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
5215 or terminfo file.
5216title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
5217toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
5218unix Unix version of Vim.
5219user_commands User-defined commands.
5220viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
5221vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
5222vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
5223virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
5224visual Compiled with Visual mode.
5225visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
5226 |blockwise-operators|.
5227vms VMS version of Vim.
5228vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
5229wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
5230wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
5231windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
5232winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
5233win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
5234win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
5235win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
5236win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
5237win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
5238writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
5239xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
5240xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
5241xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
5242xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
5243xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
5244xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
5245 xterm screen.
5246x11 Compiled with X11 support.
5247
5248 *string-match*
5249Matching a pattern in a String
5250
5251A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
5252the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
5253everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
5254like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
5255line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
5256with ".". Example: >
5257 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
5258 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
5259 aa
5260 xx
5261 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
5262 a
5263 x
5264
5265Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
5266"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
5267"\n".
5268
5269==============================================================================
52705. Defining functions *user-functions*
5271
5272New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
5273functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
5274commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
5275
5276The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
5277builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
5278avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
5279the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
5280
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005281It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
5282|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005283
5284 *local-function*
5285A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
5286can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
5287and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
5288function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
5289instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
5290
5291 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
5292:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
5293
5294:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005295 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5296 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005297 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005298
5299:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
5300 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
5301 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005302<
5303 *:function-verbose*
5304When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
5305last defined. Example: >
5306
5307 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
5308 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
5309 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
5310<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00005311See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005312
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005313 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005314:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005315 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
5316 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
5317 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005318
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005319 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5320 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005321 :function dict.init(arg)
5322< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
5323 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
5324 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
5325 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
5326 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
5327 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005328 *E127* *E122*
5329 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
5330 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
5331 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
5332 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005333
5334 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
5335
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005336 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
5337 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
5338 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
5339 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
5340 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
5341 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
5342 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005343
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005344 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
5345 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005346
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005347 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005348 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005349 local variable "self" will then be set to the
5350 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005351
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00005352 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
5353 will not be changed by the function.
5354
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005355 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
5356:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
5357 by its own, without other commands.
5358
5359 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
5360:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005361 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5362 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005363 :delfunc dict.init
5364< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
5365 function is deleted if there are no more references to
5366 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005367 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
5368:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
5369 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
5370 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
5371 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
5372 the number 0 is returned.
5373 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
5374 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
5375
5376 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
5377 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
5378 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
5379 are executed first. This process applies to all
5380 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
5381 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
5382
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005383 *function-argument* *a:var*
5384An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
5385be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
5386 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
5387Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
5388arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
5389may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
5390as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005391can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
5392that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005393 *E742*
5394The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005395However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can changes their contents.
5396Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
5397it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
5398|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005399
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005400When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
5401to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
5402may be larger.
5403
5404It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
5405still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
5406until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
5407inside a function body.
5408
5409 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005410Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
5411will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
5412accessed with "g:".
5413
5414Example: >
5415 :function Table(title, ...)
5416 : echohl Title
5417 : echo a:title
5418 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005419 : echo a:0 . " items:"
5420 : for s in a:000
5421 : echon ' ' . s
5422 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005423 :endfunction
5424
5425This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005426 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
5427 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005428
5429To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
5430 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
5431 : if a:n2 == 0
5432 : return "fail"
5433 : endif
5434 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
5435 : return "ok"
5436 :endfunction
5437
5438This function can then be called with: >
5439 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
5440 :if success == "ok"
5441 : echo div
5442 :endif
5443
5444An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
5445with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
5446 :function Foo()
5447 : execute Bar()
5448 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
5449 :endfunction
5450
5451 :function Bar()
5452 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
5453 :endfunction
5454
5455The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
5456the caller to set the names.
5457
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00005458 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005459:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
5460 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
5461 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
5462 used.
5463 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
5464 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
5465 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
5466 function.
5467 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
5468 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
5469 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
5470 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
5471 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
5472 this works:
5473 *function-range-example* >
5474 :function Mynumber(arg)
5475 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
5476 :endfunction
5477 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
5478<
5479 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
5480 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
5481 the range.
5482
5483 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
5484
5485 :function Cont() range
5486 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
5487 :endfunction
5488 :4,8call Cont()
5489<
5490 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
5491 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
5492
5493 *E132*
5494The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
5495option.
5496
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005497
5498AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005499 *autoload-functions*
5500When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005501only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
5502the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
5503
5504
5505Using an autocommand ~
5506
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005507This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
5508
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005509The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
5510You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
5511That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
5512again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
5513
5514Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
5515function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005516
5517 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
5518
5519The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
5520"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
5521
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005522
5523Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005524 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005525This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
5526
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005527Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
5528exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
5529like this: >
5530
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005531 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005532
5533When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
5534"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
5535"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
5536then define the function like this: >
5537
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005538 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005539 echo "Done!"
5540 endfunction
5541
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00005542The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005543exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
5544called.
5545
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005546It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
5547a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005548
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005549 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005550
5551Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
5552
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005553This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
5554
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005555 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005556
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00005557However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
5558for an unknown variable.
5559
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005560When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
5561be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
5562
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005563 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
5564 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005565
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00005566Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
5567defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
5568function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005569And you will get an error message every time.
5570
5571Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
5572other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
5573Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005574
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005575Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
5576|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
5577
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005578==============================================================================
55796. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
5580
5581Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
5582This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
5583{} like this: >
5584 my_{adjective}_variable
5585
5586When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
5587that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
5588name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
5589"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
5590"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
5591
5592One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
5593value. For example, the statement >
5594 echo my_{&background}_message
5595
5596would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
5597on the current value of 'background'.
5598
5599You can use multiple brace pairs: >
5600 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
5601..or even nest them: >
5602 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
5603where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
5604
5605However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005606variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005607 :let foo='a + b'
5608 :echo c{foo}d
5609.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
5610
5611 *curly-braces-function-names*
5612You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
5613Example: >
5614 :let func_end='whizz'
5615 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
5616
5617This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
5618
5619==============================================================================
56207. Commands *expression-commands*
5621
5622:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
5623 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
5624 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
5625 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
5626 is created.
5627
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005628:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
5629 Set a list item to the result of the expression
5630 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
5631 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
5632 the index can be repeated.
5633 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
5634
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005635 *E711* *E719*
5636:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005637 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
5638 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005639 correct number of items.
5640 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
5641 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
5642 When the selected range of items is partly past the
5643 end of the list, items will be added.
5644
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005645 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005646:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
5647:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
5648:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
5649 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
5650 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
5651
5652
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005653:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
5654 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
5655 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005656:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
5657 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
5658 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
5659 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005660
5661:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
5662 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
5663 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
5664 must be the name of a writable register (see
5665 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
5666 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
5667 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
5668 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
5669 characterwise.
5670 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
5671 :let @/ = ""
5672< This is different from searching for an empty string,
5673 that would match everywhere.
5674
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005675:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
5676 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
5677 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
5678
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005679:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
5680 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005681 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
5682 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005683 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
5684 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00005685 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005686 Example: >
5687 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005688
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005689:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
5690 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
5691 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
5692
5693:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
5694:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
5695 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
5696 {expr1}.
5697
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005698:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005699:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5700:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
5701:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005702 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
5703 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
5704
5705:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005706:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5707:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
5708:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005709 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
5710 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
5711
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005712:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005713 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005714 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
5715 {name2}, etc.
5716 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005717 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005718 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
5719 command as mentioned above.
5720 Example: >
5721 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005722< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
5723 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
5724 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
5725 :let x = [0, 1]
5726 :let i = 0
5727 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
5728 :echo x
5729< The result is [0, 2].
5730
5731:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
5732:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
5733:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
5734 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005735 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005736
5737:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005738 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005739 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
5740 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
5741 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005742 Example: >
5743 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
5744<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005745:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
5746:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
5747:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
5748 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005749 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005750 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005751:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005752 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
5753 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00005754 g: global variables
5755 b: local buffer variables
5756 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00005757 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00005758 s: script-local variables
5759 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005760 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005761
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005762:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
5763 variable is indicated before the value:
5764 <nothing> String
5765 # Number
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005766 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005767
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005768
5769:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
5770 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
5771 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005772 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005773 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
5774 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005775 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005776 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
5777 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005778< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005779 :unlet dict['two']
5780 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005781
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005782:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
5783 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
5784 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
5785 A locked variable can be deleted: >
5786 :lockvar v
5787 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
5788 :unlet v
5789< *E741*
5790 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
5791 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
5792
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005793 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
5794 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
5795 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005796 cannot add or remove items, but can
5797 still change their values.
5798 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005799 the items. If an item is a |List| or
5800 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005801 items, but can still change the
5802 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005803 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
5804 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
5805 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
5806 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
5807 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005808 *E743*
5809 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
5810 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
5811 loops.
5812
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005813 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
5814 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00005815 locked when used through the other variable.
5816 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005817 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
5818 :let cl = l
5819 :lockvar l
5820 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
5821< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
5822 See |deepcopy()|.
5823
5824
5825:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
5826 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
5827 opposite of |:lockvar|.
5828
5829
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005830:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
5831:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5832 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5833
5834 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
5835 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
5836 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
5837 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
5838 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
5839 part was not executed either.
5840
5841 You can use this to remain compatible with older
5842 versions: >
5843 :if version >= 500
5844 : version-5-specific-commands
5845 :endif
5846< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
5847 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
5848 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
5849 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
5850 avoid problems: >
5851 :if version >= 600
5852 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
5853 :endif
5854<
5855 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
5856 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
5857
5858 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
5859:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5860 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
5861 executed.
5862
5863 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
5864:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
5865 is no extra ":endif".
5866
5867:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005868 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005869:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
5870 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5871 When an error is detected from a command inside the
5872 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005873 Example: >
5874 :let lnum = 1
5875 :while lnum <= line("$")
5876 :call FixLine(lnum)
5877 :let lnum = lnum + 1
5878 :endwhile
5879<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005880 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005881 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005882
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005883:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005884:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
5885 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005886 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005887 value of each item.
5888 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005889 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00005890 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
5891 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005892 :for item in copy(mylist)
5893< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
5894 next item in the list, before executing the commands
5895 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
5896 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
5897 it will not be found. Thus the following example
5898 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
5899 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005900 :call remove(mylist, 0)
5901 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005902< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
5903 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
5904 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005905 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
5906 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
5907 to allow multiple item types.
5908
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005909:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
5910:endfo[r]
5911 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
5912 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
5913 {var2}, etc. Example: >
5914 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
5915 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
5916 :endfor
5917<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005918 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005919:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
5920 to the start of the loop.
5921 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5922 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5923 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5924 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5925 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5926 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005927
5928 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005929:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
5930 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
5931 ":endfor".
5932 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5933 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5934 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5935 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5936 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5937 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005938
5939:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
5940:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
5941 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
5942 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
5943 or autocommand invocations.
5944
5945 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
5946 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
5947 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
5948 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
5949 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
5950 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
5951 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
5952 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
5953 Example: >
5954 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
5955 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
5956<
5957 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
5958 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
5959 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
5960 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
5961 processing is not terminated.
5962
5963 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
5964 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
5965 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
5966 other errors are converted to a value of the form
5967 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
5968 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
5969 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
5970 the error number.
5971 Examples: >
5972 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
5973 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
5974<
5975 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
5976:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
5977 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
5978 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
5979 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
5980 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
5981 commands are skipped.
5982 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
5983 Examples: >
5984 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
5985 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
5986 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
5987 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
5988 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
5989 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
5990 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
5991 :catch " same as /.*/
5992<
5993 Another character can be used instead of / around the
5994 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
5995 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
5996 {pattern}.
5997 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
5998 an error message because it may vary in different
5999 locales.
6000
6001 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
6002:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
6003 are executed whenever the part between the matching
6004 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
6005 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
6006 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
6007 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
6008
6009 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
6010:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
6011 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
6012 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
6013 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
6014 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
6015 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
6016 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
6017 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
6018 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
6019 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
6020 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
6021 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
6022 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
6023 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
6024 is terminated.
6025 Example: >
6026 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
6027<
6028
6029 *:ec* *:echo*
6030:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
6031 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
6032 Also see |:comment|.
6033 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
6034 cursor to the first column.
6035 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6036 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6037 Example: >
6038 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
6039< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
6040 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
6041 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
6042 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
6043 command. Example: >
6044 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
6045<
6046 *:echon*
6047:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
6048 |:comment|.
6049 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6050 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6051 Example: >
6052 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
6053<
6054 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
6055 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
6056 command: >
6057 :!echo % --> filename
6058< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
6059 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
6060< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
6061 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
6062 :echo % --> nothing
6063< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
6064 :echo "%" --> %
6065< This just echoes the '%' character. >
6066 :echo expand("%") --> filename
6067< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
6068
6069 *:echoh* *:echohl*
6070:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
6071 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
6072 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
6073 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
6074< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
6075 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
6076
6077 *:echom* *:echomsg*
6078:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
6079 message in the |message-history|.
6080 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6081 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
6082 displayed, not interpreted.
6083 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6084 Example: >
6085 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
6086<
6087 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
6088:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
6089 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
6090 script or function the line number will be added.
6091 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6092 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
6093 the message is raised as an error exception instead
6094 (see |try-echoerr|).
6095 Example: >
6096 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
6097< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
6098 And to get a beep: >
6099 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
6100<
6101 *:exe* *:execute*
6102:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
6103 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
6104 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
6105 used as the processed command, command line editing
6106 keys are not recognized.
6107 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6108 Examples: >
6109 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
6110 :execute "normal " count . "w"
6111<
6112 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
6113 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
6114 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
6115
6116< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
6117 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
6118 command: >
6119 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
6120< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
6121
6122 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006123 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
6124 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006125 :execute 'while i > 5'
6126 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
6127<
6128 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
6129 completely in the executed string: >
6130 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
6131<
6132
6133 *:comment*
6134 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
6135 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
6136 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
6137 comment. Example: >
6138 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
6139
6140==============================================================================
61418. Exception handling *exception-handling*
6142
6143The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
6144explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
6145
6146Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
6147|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
6148exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
6149
6150
6151TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
6152
6153Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
6154use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
6155a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
6156 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
6157|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
6158a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
6159be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
6160which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
6161clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
6162
6163 :try
6164 : ...
6165 : ... TRY BLOCK
6166 : ...
6167 :catch /{pattern}/
6168 : ...
6169 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6170 : ...
6171 :catch /{pattern}/
6172 : ...
6173 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6174 : ...
6175 :finally
6176 : ...
6177 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
6178 : ...
6179 :endtry
6180
6181The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
6182appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
6183from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
6184 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
6185is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
6186script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
6187 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
6188lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
6189patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
6190after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
6191executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
6192":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
6193(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
6194continues in the following line as usual.
6195 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
6196":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
6197that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
6198finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
6199the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
6200the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
6201see |try-nesting|.
6202 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
6203remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
6204not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
6205try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
6206a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
6207execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
6208exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6209 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
6210thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
6211clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
6212catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
6213following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
6214clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6215
6216The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
6217a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
6218try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
6219from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
6220sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
6221":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
6222":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
6223from the finally clause.
6224 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
6225try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
6226clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
6227":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
6228clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
6229":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
6230this pending exception or command is discarded.
6231
6232For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
6233
6234
6235NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
6236
6237Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
6238conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
6239clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
6240catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
6241of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
6242checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
6243try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
6244otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
6245nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
6246one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
6247the inner try conditional.
6248
6249When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
6250finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
6251An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
6252thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
6253implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
6254as usual.
6255
6256For examples see |throw-catch|.
6257
6258
6259EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
6260
6261Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
6262'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
6263script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
6264finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
6265a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
6266(see |debug-scripts|).
6267
6268
6269THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
6270
6271You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
6272and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
6273 :throw 4711
6274 :throw "string"
6275< *throw-expression*
6276You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
6277first, and the result is thrown: >
6278 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
6279 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
6280
6281An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
6282command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
6283The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
6284 Example: >
6285
6286 :function! Foo(arg)
6287 : try
6288 : throw a:arg
6289 : catch /foo/
6290 : endtry
6291 : return 1
6292 :endfunction
6293 :
6294 :function! Bar()
6295 : echo "in Bar"
6296 : return 4710
6297 :endfunction
6298 :
6299 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
6300
6301This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
6302executed. >
6303 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
6304however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
6305
6306Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
6307abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
6308exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
6309 Example: >
6310
6311 :if Foo("arrgh")
6312 : echo "then"
6313 :else
6314 : echo "else"
6315 :endif
6316
6317Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
6318
6319 *catch-order*
6320Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
6321commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
6322command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
6323gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
6324 Example: >
6325
6326 :function! Foo(value)
6327 : try
6328 : throw a:value
6329 : catch /^\d\+$/
6330 : echo "Number thrown"
6331 : catch /.*/
6332 : echo "String thrown"
6333 : endtry
6334 :endfunction
6335 :
6336 :call Foo(0x1267)
6337 :call Foo('string')
6338
6339The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
6340An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
6341specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
6342specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
6343
6344 : catch /.*/
6345 : echo "String thrown"
6346 : catch /^\d\+$/
6347 : echo "Number thrown"
6348
6349The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
6350never taken.
6351
6352 *throw-variables*
6353If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
6354in the variable |v:exception|: >
6355
6356 : catch /^\d\+$/
6357 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
6358
6359You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
6360|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
6361exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
6362 Example: >
6363
6364 :function! Caught()
6365 : if v:exception != ""
6366 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
6367 : else
6368 : echo 'Nothing caught'
6369 : endif
6370 :endfunction
6371 :
6372 :function! Foo()
6373 : try
6374 : try
6375 : try
6376 : throw 4711
6377 : finally
6378 : call Caught()
6379 : endtry
6380 : catch /.*/
6381 : call Caught()
6382 : throw "oops"
6383 : endtry
6384 : catch /.*/
6385 : call Caught()
6386 : finally
6387 : call Caught()
6388 : endtry
6389 :endfunction
6390 :
6391 :call Foo()
6392
6393This displays >
6394
6395 Nothing caught
6396 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
6397 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
6398 Nothing caught
6399
6400A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
6401number in the script or function where it has been used: >
6402
6403 :function! LineNumber()
6404 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
6405 :endfunction
6406 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
6407<
6408 *try-nested*
6409An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
6410a surrounding try conditional: >
6411
6412 :try
6413 : try
6414 : throw "foo"
6415 : catch /foobar/
6416 : echo "foobar"
6417 : finally
6418 : echo "inner finally"
6419 : endtry
6420 :catch /foo/
6421 : echo "foo"
6422 :endtry
6423
6424The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
6425clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
6426conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
6427
6428 *throw-from-catch*
6429You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
6430catch clause: >
6431
6432 :function! Foo()
6433 : throw "foo"
6434 :endfunction
6435 :
6436 :function! Bar()
6437 : try
6438 : call Foo()
6439 : catch /foo/
6440 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
6441 : throw "bar"
6442 : endtry
6443 :endfunction
6444 :
6445 :try
6446 : call Bar()
6447 :catch /.*/
6448 : echo "Caught" v:exception
6449 :endtry
6450
6451This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
6452
6453 *rethrow*
6454There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
6455"v:exception" instead: >
6456
6457 :function! Bar()
6458 : try
6459 : call Foo()
6460 : catch /.*/
6461 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
6462 : throw v:exception
6463 : endtry
6464 :endfunction
6465< *try-echoerr*
6466Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
6467exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
6468Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
6469denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
6470the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
6471
6472 :try
6473 : try
6474 : asdf
6475 : catch /.*/
6476 : echoerr v:exception
6477 : endtry
6478 :catch /.*/
6479 : echo v:exception
6480 :endtry
6481
6482This code displays
6483
6484 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
6485
6486
6487CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
6488
6489Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
6490user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
6491an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
6492a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
6493catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
6494a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
6495normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
6496(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
6497to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
6498clause has been executed.)
6499Example: >
6500
6501 :try
6502 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
6503 : set ts=17
6504 :
6505 : " Do the hard work here.
6506 :
6507 :finally
6508 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
6509 : unlet s:saved_ts
6510 :endtry
6511
6512This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
6513changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
6514that function or script part.
6515
6516 *break-finally*
6517Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
6518a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
6519 Example: >
6520
6521 :let first = 1
6522 :while 1
6523 : try
6524 : if first
6525 : echo "first"
6526 : let first = 0
6527 : continue
6528 : else
6529 : throw "second"
6530 : endif
6531 : catch /.*/
6532 : echo v:exception
6533 : break
6534 : finally
6535 : echo "cleanup"
6536 : endtry
6537 : echo "still in while"
6538 :endwhile
6539 :echo "end"
6540
6541This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
6542
6543 :function! Foo()
6544 : try
6545 : return 4711
6546 : finally
6547 : echo "cleanup\n"
6548 : endtry
6549 : echo "Foo still active"
6550 :endfunction
6551 :
6552 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
6553
6554This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
6555extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
6556return value.)
6557
6558 *except-from-finally*
6559Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
6560a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
6561cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
6562exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
6563 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
6564working correctly: >
6565
6566 :try
6567 : try
6568 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
6569 : while 1
6570 : endwhile
6571 : finally
6572 : unlet novar
6573 : endtry
6574 :catch /novar/
6575 :endtry
6576 :echo "Script still running"
6577 :sleep 1
6578
6579If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
6580think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
6581|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
6582
6583
6584CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
6585
6586If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
6587watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
6588presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
6589exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
6590the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
6591the error exception is.
6592 Error exceptions have the following format: >
6593
6594 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
6595or >
6596 Vim:{errmsg}
6597
6598{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
6599the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
6600when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
6601a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
6602a space.
6603
6604Examples:
6605
6606The command >
6607 :unlet novar
6608normally produces the error message >
6609 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6610which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6611 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
6612
6613The command >
6614 :dwim
6615normally produces the error message >
6616 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6617which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6618 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6619
6620You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
6621 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
6622or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
6623 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
6624
6625Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
6626 :function nofunc
6627and >
6628 :delfunction nofunc
6629both produce the error message >
6630 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6631which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6632 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6633or >
6634 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6635respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
6636command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
6637 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
6638
6639Some commands like >
6640 :let x = novar
6641produce multiple error messages, here: >
6642 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6643 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6644Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
6645one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
6646 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
6647
6648You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
6649 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
6650
6651You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
6652 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
6653
6654You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
6655 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
6656<
6657 *catch-text*
6658NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
6659 :catch /No such variable/
6660only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
6661a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
6662cite the message text in a comment: >
6663 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
6664
6665
6666IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
6667
6668You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
6669
6670 :try
6671 : write
6672 :catch
6673 :endtry
6674
6675But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
6676catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
6677be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
6678
6679 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
6680
6681There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
6682writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
6683then hide the error from the user.
6684 It is much better to use >
6685
6686 :try
6687 : write
6688 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6689 :endtry
6690
6691which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
6692intentionally.
6693
6694For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
6695even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
6696command: >
6697 :silent! nunmap k
6698This works also when a try conditional is active.
6699
6700
6701CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
6702
6703When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
6704the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
6705script is not terminated, then.
6706 Example: >
6707
6708 :function! TASK1()
6709 : sleep 10
6710 :endfunction
6711
6712 :function! TASK2()
6713 : sleep 20
6714 :endfunction
6715
6716 :while 1
6717 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
6718 : try
6719 : if command == ""
6720 : continue
6721 : elseif command == "END"
6722 : break
6723 : elseif command == "TASK1"
6724 : call TASK1()
6725 : elseif command == "TASK2"
6726 : call TASK2()
6727 : else
6728 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
6729 : continue
6730 : endif
6731 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6732 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
6733 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
6734 : endtry
6735 :endwhile
6736
6737You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
6738a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
6739
6740For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
6741your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
6742command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
6743
6744
6745CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
6746
6747The commands >
6748
6749 :catch /.*/
6750 :catch //
6751 :catch
6752
6753catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
6754explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
6755a script in order to catch unexpected things.
6756 Example: >
6757
6758 :try
6759 :
6760 : " do the hard work here
6761 :
6762 :catch /MyException/
6763 :
6764 : " handle known problem
6765 :
6766 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6767 : echo "Script interrupted"
6768 :catch /.*/
6769 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
6770 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
6771 :endtry
6772 :" end of script
6773
6774Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
6775strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
6776specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
6777 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
6778by pressing CTRL-C: >
6779
6780 :while 1
6781 : try
6782 : sleep 1
6783 : catch
6784 : endtry
6785 :endwhile
6786
6787
6788EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
6789
6790Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
6791
6792 :autocmd User x try
6793 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
6794 :autocmd User x catch
6795 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
6796 :autocmd User x endtry
6797 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
6798 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
6799 :
6800 :try
6801 : doautocmd User x
6802 :catch
6803 : echo v:exception
6804 :endtry
6805
6806This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
6807
6808 *except-autocmd-Pre*
6809For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
6810command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
6811of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
6812abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
6813 Example: >
6814
6815 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
6816 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
6817 :
6818 :try
6819 : write
6820 :catch
6821 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
6822 :endtry
6823
6824Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
6825you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
6826autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
6827script displays: >
6828
6829 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
6830<
6831 *except-autocmd-Post*
6832For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
6833command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
6834an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
6835is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
6836 Example: >
6837
6838 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
6839 :
6840 :try
6841 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6842 :catch
6843 : echo v:exception
6844 :endtry
6845
6846This just displays: >
6847
6848 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
6849
6850If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
6851fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
6852 Example: >
6853
6854 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
6855 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
6856 :
6857 :try
6858 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6859 :catch
6860 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6861 :endtry
6862<
6863You can also use ":silent!": >
6864
6865 :let x = "ok"
6866 :let v:errmsg = ""
6867 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
6868 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
6869 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
6870 :try
6871 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6872 :catch
6873 :endtry
6874 :echo x
6875
6876This displays "after fail".
6877
6878If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
6879autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
6880
6881 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
6882 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
6883 :
6884 :try
6885 : write
6886 :catch
6887 : echo v:exception
6888 :endtry
6889<
6890 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
6891For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
6892autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
6893of the command.
6894 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
6895had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
6896some way. >
6897
6898 :if !exists("cnt")
6899 : let cnt = 0
6900 :
6901 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
6902 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
6903 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
6904 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6905 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6906 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
6907 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
6908 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6909 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6910 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
6911 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6912 :endif
6913 :
6914 :try
6915 : write
6916 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
6917 : if &modified
6918 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
6919 : else
6920 : echo "Error after writing"
6921 : endif
6922 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6923 : echo "Error on writing"
6924 :endtry
6925
6926When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
6927first >
6928 File successfully written!
6929then >
6930 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
6931then >
6932 Error after writing
6933etc.
6934
6935 *except-autocmd-ill*
6936You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
6937The following code is ill-formed: >
6938
6939 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
6940 :
6941 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
6942 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
6943 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
6944 :
6945 :write
6946
6947
6948EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
6949
6950Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
6951pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
6952similar things in Vim.
6953 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
6954class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
6955string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
6956 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
6957it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
6958for an error when writing "myfile".
6959 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
6960base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
6961parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
6962 Example: >
6963
6964 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
6965 : if a:a < 0
6966 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
6967 : endif
6968 :endfunction
6969 :
6970 :function! Add(a, b)
6971 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
6972 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
6973 : let c = a:a + a:b
6974 : if c < 0
6975 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
6976 : endif
6977 : return c
6978 :endfunction
6979 :
6980 :function! Div(a, b)
6981 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
6982 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
6983 : if (a:b == 0)
6984 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
6985 : endif
6986 : return a:a / a:b
6987 :endfunction
6988 :
6989 :function! Write(file)
6990 : try
6991 : execute "write" a:file
6992 : catch /^Vim(write):/
6993 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
6994 : endtry
6995 :endfunction
6996 :
6997 :try
6998 :
6999 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
7000 :
7001 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
7002 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
7003 : echo "Range error in" function
7004 :
7005 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
7006 : echo "Math error"
7007 :
7008 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
7009 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
7010 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
7011 : if file !~ '^/'
7012 : let file = dir . "/" . file
7013 : endif
7014 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
7015 :
7016 :catch /^EXCEPT/
7017 : echo "Unspecified error"
7018 :
7019 :endtry
7020
7021The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
7022a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
7023exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
7024 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
7025failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
7026
7027
7028PECULIARITIES
7029 *except-compat*
7030The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
7031exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
7032and/or a catch clause.
7033
7034In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
7035continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
7036after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
7037functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
7038or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
7039(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
7040
7041This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
7042immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
7043conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
7044be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
7045termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
7046catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
7047by specifying a finally clause.)
7048
7049When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
7050behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
7051scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
7052
7053However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
7054commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
7055conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
7056script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
7057error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
7058messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
7059|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
7060not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
7061where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
7062error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
7063scripts.
7064
7065 *except-syntax-err*
7066Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
7067the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
7068clauses, however, is executed.
7069 Example: >
7070
7071 :try
7072 : try
7073 : throw 4711
7074 : catch /\(/
7075 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
7076 : catch
7077 : echo "inner catch-all"
7078 : finally
7079 : echo "inner finally"
7080 : endtry
7081 :catch
7082 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
7083 : finally
7084 : echo "outer finally"
7085 :endtry
7086
7087This displays: >
7088 inner finally
7089 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
7090 outer finally
7091The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
7092
7093 *except-single-line*
7094The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
7095a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
7096"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
7097 Example: >
7098 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
7099raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
7100argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
7101error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
7102displayed.
7103
7104 *except-several-errors*
7105When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
7106usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
7107 Example: >
7108 echo novar
7109causes >
7110 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7111 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7112The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7113 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
7114< *except-syntax-error*
7115But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
7116the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
7117 Example: >
7118 unlet novar #
7119causes >
7120 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7121 E488: Trailing characters
7122The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7123 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
7124This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
7125not intended by the user. Example: >
7126 try
7127 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
7128 catch /.*/
7129 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
7130 endtry
7131This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
7132a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
7133
7134==============================================================================
71359. Examples *eval-examples*
7136
7137Printing in Hex ~
7138>
7139 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
7140 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
7141 : let n = a:nr
7142 : let r = ""
7143 : while n
7144 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
7145 : let n = n / 16
7146 : endwhile
7147 : return r
7148 :endfunc
7149
7150 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
7151 :" character Hex string.
7152 :func String2Hex(str)
7153 : let out = ''
7154 : let ix = 0
7155 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
7156 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
7157 : let ix = ix + 1
7158 : endwhile
7159 : return out
7160 :endfunc
7161
7162Example of its use: >
7163 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
7164result: "20" >
7165 :echo String2Hex("32")
7166result: "3332"
7167
7168
7169Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
7170
7171Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
7172":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
7173platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
7174function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
7175with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
7176>
7177 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
7178 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
7179 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
7180 : return -1
7181 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
7182 : return 1
7183 : else
7184 : return 0
7185 : endif
7186 :endfunction
7187
7188 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
7189 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
7190 : if (a:start >= a:end)
7191 : return
7192 : endif
7193 : let partition = a:start - 1
7194 : let middle = partition
7195 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
7196 : let i = a:start
7197 : while (i <= a:end)
7198 : let str = getline(i)
7199 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
7200 : if (result <= 0)
7201 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
7202 : let partition = partition + 1
7203 : if (result == 0)
7204 : let middle = partition
7205 : endif
7206 : if (i != partition)
7207 : let str2 = getline(partition)
7208 : call setline(i, str2)
7209 : call setline(partition, str)
7210 : endif
7211 : endif
7212 : let i = i + 1
7213 : endwhile
7214
7215 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
7216 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
7217 : " the end of the partition.
7218 : if (middle != partition)
7219 : let str = getline(middle)
7220 : let str2 = getline(partition)
7221 : call setline(middle, str2)
7222 : call setline(partition, str)
7223 : endif
7224 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
7225 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
7226 :endfunc
7227
7228 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
7229 :" function that will compare two lines.
7230 :func! Sort(cmp) range
7231 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
7232 :endfunc
7233
7234 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
7235 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
7236<
7237 *sscanf*
7238There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
7239line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
7240how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
7241"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
7242 :" Set up the match bit
7243 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
7244 :"get the part matching the whole expression
7245 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
7246 :"get each item out of the match
7247 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
7248 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
7249 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
7250
7251The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
7252"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
7253
7254==============================================================================
725510. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
7256
7257When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
7258evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
7259to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
7260recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
7261and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
7262only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
7263recognized.
7264
7265Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
7266missing: >
7267
7268 :if 1
7269 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
7270 :else
7271 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
7272 :endif
7273
7274==============================================================================
727511. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
7276
7277The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
7278options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
7279these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
7280these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00007281a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007282The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007283
7284These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
7285 - changing the buffer text
7286 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
7287 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
7288 - executing a shell command
7289 - reading or writing a file
7290 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00007291 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007292This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
7293
7294 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00007295:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007296 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
7297 'foldexpr'.
7298
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007299 *sandbox-option*
7300A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00007301have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007302restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
7303location. Insecure in this context are:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00007304- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directory
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007305- while executing in the sandbox
7306- value coming from a modeline
7307
7308Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
7309option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
7310
7311==============================================================================
731212. Textlock *textlock*
7313
7314In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
7315to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
7316is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
7317actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
7318happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
7319
7320This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
7321 - changing the buffer text
7322 - jumping to another buffer or window
7323 - editing another file
7324 - closing a window or quitting Vim
7325 - etc.
7326
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007327
7328 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: