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Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2005 Nov 20
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000031
32{Vi does not have any of these commands}
33
34==============================================================================
351. Variables *variables*
36
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000371.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000038 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000039There are five types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000040
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000041Number A 32 bit signed number.
42 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
43
44String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
45 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
46
47Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
48 Example: function("strlen")
49
50List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
51 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000052
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000053Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
54 value. |Dictionary|
55 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
56
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000057The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
58are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000059
60Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
61the Number. Examples: >
62 Number 123 --> String "123"
63 Number 0 --> String "0"
64 Number -1 --> String "-1"
65
66Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
67to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
68the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
69 String "456" --> Number 456
70 String "6bar" --> Number 6
71 String "foo" --> Number 0
72 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
73 String "0100" --> Number 64
74 String "-8" --> Number -8
75 String "+8" --> Number 0
76
77To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
78 :echo "0100" + 0
79
80For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
81
82Note that in the command >
83 :if "foo"
84"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
85use strlen(): >
86 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000087< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
88List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000089
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000090 *E706*
91You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
92to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000093equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000094 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000095 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000096 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000097
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000098
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000991.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000100 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000101A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000102in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
103around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000104
105 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
106 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000107< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000108A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:" or "b:". You cannot
109have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000110
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000111A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
112Dictionary entry. Example: >
113 :function dict.init() dict
114 : let self.val = 0
115 :endfunction
116
117The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
118function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
119
120A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
121 :call Fn()
122 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000123
124The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000125 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000126
127You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
128arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000129 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000130
131
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001321.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000133 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000134A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
135can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
136position in the sequence.
137
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000138
139List creation ~
140 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000141A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000142Examples: >
143 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
144 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000145
146An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000147nested List: >
148 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000149
150An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
151
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000152
153List index ~
154 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000155An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000156after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
157 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000158 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000159
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000160When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000161 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000162<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000163A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
164the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000165 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
166
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000167To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000168is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000169 :echo get(mylist, idx)
170 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
171
172
173List concatenation ~
174
175Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
176 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000177 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000178
179To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
180it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
181
182
183Sublist ~
184
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000185A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
186separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000187 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000188
189Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
190similar to -1. The difference is that there is no error if the items are not
191available. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000192 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
193 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
194 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000195
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000196The second index can be just before the first index. In that case the result
197is an empty list. If the second index is lower, this results in an error. >
198 :echo mylist[2:1] " result: []
199 :echo mylist[2:0] " error!
200
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000201NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
202using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
203mylist[s : e].
204
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000205
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000206List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000207 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000208When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
209variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
210change "bb": >
211 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
212 :let bb = aa
213 :call add(aa, 4)
214 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000215< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000216
217Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
218works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000219a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000220 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
221 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000222 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000223 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
224 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000225< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000226 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000227< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000228
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000229To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000230copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000231
232The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000233List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000234the same value. >
235 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
236 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
237 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000238< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000239 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000240< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000241
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000242Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
243same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000244exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
245different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
246variables. Example: >
247 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000248< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000249 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000250< 0
251
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000252Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
253can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a string: >
254
255 :let a = 5
256 :let b = "5"
257 echo a == b
258< 1 >
259 echo [a] == [b]
260< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000261
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000262
263List unpack ~
264
265To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
266square brackets, like list items: >
267 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
268
269When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
270this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
271and a variable name: >
272 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
273
274This works like: >
275 :let var1 = mylist[0]
276 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000277 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000278
279Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
280empty list then.
281
282
283List modification ~
284 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000285To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000286 :let list[4] = "four"
287 :let listlist[0][3] = item
288
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000289To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000290modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000291 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
292
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000293Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
294examples: >
295 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
296 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
297 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000298 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000299 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
300 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000301 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000302 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000303 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000304 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000305
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000306Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000307 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
308 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
309
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000310
311For loop ~
312
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000313The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
314to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000315 :for item in mylist
316 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000317 :endfor
318
319This works like: >
320 :let index = 0
321 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000322 : let item = mylist[index]
323 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000324 : let index = index + 1
325 :endwhile
326
327Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000328results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000329the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000330
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000331If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000332function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000333
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000334Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
335requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
336 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
337 : call Doit(lnum, col)
338 :endfor
339
340This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
341must remain the same to avoid an error.
342
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000343It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000344 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
345 : call Doit(i, j)
346 : if !empty(rest)
347 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
348 : endif
349 :endfor
350
351
352List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000353 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000354Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000355 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000356 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000357 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
358 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
359 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000360 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
361 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000362 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
363 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000364 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
365 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000366 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
367 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000368
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000369Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
370example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
371 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
372
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000373
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003741.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000375 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000376A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000377entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
378ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000379
380
381Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000382 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000383A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000384braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
385only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000386 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
387 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000388< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000389A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
390String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000391entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
392Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000393
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000394A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000395nested Dictionary: >
396 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
397
398An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
399
400
401Accessing entries ~
402
403The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
404 :let val = mydict["one"]
405 :let mydict["four"] = 4
406
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000407You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000408
409For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
410form can be used |expr-entry|: >
411 :let val = mydict.one
412 :let mydict.four = 4
413
414Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
415key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000416 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000417
418
419Dictionary to List conversion ~
420
421You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
422turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
423
424Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
425 :for key in keys(mydict)
426 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
427 :endfor
428
429The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
430 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
431
432To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
433 :for v in values(mydict)
434 : echo "value: " . v
435 :endfor
436
437If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000438a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000439 :for entry in items(mydict)
440 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
441 :endfor
442
443
444Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000445 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000446Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
447Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
448Dictionary: >
449 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
450 :let adict = onedict
451 :let adict['a'] = 11
452 :echo onedict['a']
453 11
454
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000455Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
456more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000457
458
459Dictionary modification ~
460 *dict-modification*
461To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
462use |:let| this way: >
463 :let dict[4] = "four"
464 :let dict['one'] = item
465
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000466Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
467Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
468 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
469 :unlet dict.aaa
470 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000471
472Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000473 :call extend(adict, bdict)
474This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
475in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000476Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
477expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
478adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000479
480Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +0000481 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000482This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000483
484
485Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000486 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000487When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
488special way with a dictionary. Example: >
489 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000490 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000491 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000492 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
493 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000494
495This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
496Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
497the function was invoked from.
498
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000499It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
500Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
501
502 *numbered-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000503To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
504assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000505 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
506 :function mydict.len() dict
507 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000508 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000509 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000510
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000511The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
512that references this function. The function can only be used through a
513|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
514remaining that refers to it.
515
516It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000517
518
519Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000520 *E715*
521Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000522 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
523 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
524 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
525 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
526 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
527 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
528 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
529 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000530
531
5321.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000533 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000534If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
535function.
536
537When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
538start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
539stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
540
541When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
542start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
543stored in the session file |session-file|.
544
545variable name can be stored where ~
546my_var_6 not
547My_Var_6 session file
548MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
549
550
551It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
552|curly-braces-names|.
553
554==============================================================================
5552. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
556
557Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
558
559|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
560
561|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
562
563|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
564
565|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
566 expr5 != expr5 not equal
567 expr5 > expr5 greater than
568 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
569 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
570 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
571 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
572 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
573
574 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
575 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
576 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
577 matching case
578
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000579 expr5 is expr5 same List instance
580 expr5 isnot expr5 different List instance
581
582|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000583 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
584 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
585
586|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
587 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
588 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
589
590|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
591 - expr7 unary minus
592 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000593
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000594
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000595|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a List
596 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a List
597 expr8.name entry in a Dictionary
598 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with Funcref variable
599
600|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000601 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000602 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000603 [expr1, ...] List
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000604 {expr1: expr1, ...} Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000605 &option option value
606 (expr1) nested expression
607 variable internal variable
608 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
609 $VAR environment variable
610 @r contents of register 'r'
611 function(expr1, ...) function call
612 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
613
614
615".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
616Example: >
617 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
618
619All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
620
621
622expr1 *expr1* *E109*
623-----
624
625expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
626
627The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
628non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
629otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
630Example: >
631 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
632
633Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
634other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
635Example: >
636 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
637
638To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
639 :echo lnum == 1
640 :\ ? "top"
641 :\ : lnum == 1000
642 :\ ? "last"
643 :\ : lnum
644
645
646expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
647---------------
648
649 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
650The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
651are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
652
653 input output ~
654n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
655zero zero zero zero
656zero non-zero non-zero zero
657non-zero zero non-zero zero
658non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
659
660The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
661
662 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
663
664Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
665
666 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
667
668Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
669arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
670
671 let a = 1
672 echo a || b
673
674This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
675so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
676
677 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
678
679This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
680only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
681
682
683expr4 *expr4*
684-----
685
686expr5 {cmp} expr5
687
688Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
689if it evaluates to true.
690
691 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
692 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
693 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
694 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
695 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
696 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000697 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000698 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
699equal == ==# ==?
700not equal != !=# !=?
701greater than > ># >?
702greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
703smaller than < <# <?
704smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
705regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
706regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000707same instance is
708different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000709
710Examples:
711"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
712"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
713"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
714
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000715 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000716A List can only be compared with a List and only "equal", "not equal" and "is"
717can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively. Ignoring
718case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
719
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000720 *E735* *E736*
721A Dictionary can only be compared with a Dictionary and only "equal", "not
722equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the Dictionary,
723recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
724
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000725 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000726A Funcref can only be compared with a Funcref and only "equal" and "not equal"
727can be used. Case is never ignored.
728
729When using "is" or "isnot" with a List this checks if the expressions are
730referring to the same List instance. A copy of a List is different from the
731original List. When using "is" without a List it is equivalent to using
732"equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
733different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
734is false.
735
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000736When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
737and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
738because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
739
740When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
741results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
742necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
743
744When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
745'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
746
747When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
748'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
749
750The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
751argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
752This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
753matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
754portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
755single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
756Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
757(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
758can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
759 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
760 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
761
762
763expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
764---------------
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000765expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or List concatenation *expr-+*
766expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
767expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000768
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000769For Lists only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The result
770is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
771
772expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
773expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
774expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000775
776For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
777
778Note the difference between "+" and ".":
779 "123" + "456" = 579
780 "123" . "456" = "123456"
781
782When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
783When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
784
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000785None of these work for Funcrefs.
786
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000787
788expr7 *expr7*
789-----
790! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
791- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
792+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
793
794For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
795For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
796For '+' the number is unchanged.
797
798A String will be converted to a Number first.
799
800These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
801 !-1 == 0
802 !!8 == 1
803 --9 == 9
804
805
806expr8 *expr8*
807-----
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000808expr8[expr1] item of String or List *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000809
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000810If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
811expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000812Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000813
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000814Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
815text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
816cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000817 :let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1]
818
819If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000820String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
821compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
822
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000823If expr8 is a List then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000824for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
825error. Example: >
826 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
827
828Generally, if a List index is equal to or higher than the length of the List,
829or more negative than the length of the List, this results in an error.
830
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000831
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000832expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000833
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000834If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
835from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000836expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
837encodings.
838
839If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
840string minus one is used.
841
842A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
843the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
844
845If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
846expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
847
848Examples: >
849 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
850 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
851 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
852 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
853
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000854If expr8 is a List this results in a new List with the items indicated by the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000855indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained just
856above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
857 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
858 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
859 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
860
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000861Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a Funcref results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000862
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000863
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000864expr8.name entry in a Dictionary *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000865
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000866If expr8 is a Dictionary and it is followed by a dot, then the following name
867will be used as a key in the Dictionary. This is just like: expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000868
869The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
870but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
871
872There must not be white space before or after the dot.
873
874Examples: >
875 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
876 :echo dict.one
877 :echo dict .2
878
879Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
880always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
881
882
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000883expr8(expr1, ...) Funcref function call
884
885When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
886
887
888
889 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000890number
891------
892number number constant *expr-number*
893
894Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
895
896
897string *expr-string* *E114*
898------
899"string" string constant *expr-quote*
900
901Note that double quotes are used.
902
903A string constant accepts these special characters:
904\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
905\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
906\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
907\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
908\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
909\X.. same as \x..
910\X. same as \x.
911\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
912 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
913\U.... same as \u....
914\b backspace <BS>
915\e escape <Esc>
916\f formfeed <FF>
917\n newline <NL>
918\r return <CR>
919\t tab <Tab>
920\\ backslash
921\" double quote
922\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
923
924Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
925
926
927literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
928---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000929'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000930
931Note that single quotes are used.
932
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000933This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000934meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000935
936Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
937to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
938 if a =~ "\\s*"
939 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000940
941
942option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
943------
944&option option value, local value if possible
945&g:option global option value
946&l:option local option value
947
948Examples: >
949 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
950 if &insertmode
951
952Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
953and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
954anyway.
955
956
957register *expr-register*
958--------
959@r contents of register 'r'
960
961The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
962Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +0000963register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
964registers.
965
966When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
967evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000968
969
970nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
971-------
972(expr1) nested expression
973
974
975environment variable *expr-env*
976--------------------
977$VAR environment variable
978
979The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
980result is an empty string.
981 *expr-env-expand*
982Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
983expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
984are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
985the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
986fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
987does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
988 :echo $version
989 :echo expand("$version")
990The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
991variable (if your shell supports it).
992
993
994internal variable *expr-variable*
995-----------------
996variable internal variable
997See below |internal-variables|.
998
999
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001000function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001001-------------
1002function(expr1, ...) function call
1003See below |functions|.
1004
1005
1006==============================================================================
10073. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1008 *E461*
1009An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1010cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1011|curly-braces-names|.
1012
1013An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001014An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1015|:unlet|.
1016Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1017been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001018
1019There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1020specified by what is prepended:
1021
1022 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1023|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1024|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
1025|global-variable| g: Global.
1026|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1027|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1028|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1029|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1030
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001031The scope name by itself can be used as a Dictionary. For example, to delete
1032all script-local variables: >
1033 :for k in keys(s:)
1034 : unlet s:[k]
1035 :endfor
1036<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001037 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1038A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1039Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1040This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1041|:bdelete|.
1042
1043One local buffer variable is predefined:
1044 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1045b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1046 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1047 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1048 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1049 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1050 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1051 : call My_Update()
1052 :endif
1053<
1054 *window-variable* *w:var*
1055A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1056is deleted when the window is closed.
1057
1058 *global-variable* *g:var*
1059Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1060access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1061place if you like.
1062
1063 *local-variable* *l:var*
1064Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1065But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1066
1067 *script-variable* *s:var*
1068In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1069accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1070
1071They can be used in:
1072- commands executed while the script is sourced
1073- functions defined in the script
1074- autocommands defined in the script
1075- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1076 defined in the script (recursively)
1077- user defined commands defined in the script
1078Thus not in:
1079- other scripts sourced from this one
1080- mappings
1081- etc.
1082
1083script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1084Take this example:
1085
1086 let s:counter = 0
1087 function MyCounter()
1088 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1089 echo s:counter
1090 endfunction
1091 command Tick call MyCounter()
1092
1093You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1094that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1095"Tick" was defined is used.
1096
1097Another example that does the same: >
1098
1099 let s:counter = 0
1100 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1101
1102When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001103script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001104defined.
1105
1106The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1107function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1108
1109 let s:counter = 0
1110 function StartCounting(incr)
1111 if a:incr
1112 function MyCounter()
1113 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1114 endfunction
1115 else
1116 function MyCounter()
1117 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1118 endfunction
1119 endif
1120 endfunction
1121
1122This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1123when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1124called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1125
1126When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1127They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1128maintain a counter: >
1129
1130 if !exists("s:counter")
1131 let s:counter = 1
1132 echo "script executed for the first time"
1133 else
1134 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1135 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1136 endif
1137
1138Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1139variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1140
1141
1142Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1143
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001144 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1145v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1146 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1147 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1148
1149 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1150v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1151 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1152
1153 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1154v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1155 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1156
1157 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001158v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1159 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1160 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1161 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001162 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1163 highlighted text is used.
1164 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1165
1166 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1167v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1168 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1169
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001170 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1171v:charconvert_from
1172 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1173 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1174
1175 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1176v:charconvert_to
1177 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1178 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1179
1180 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1181v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1182 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1183 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1184 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1185 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1186 possible to append this variable directly after the
1187 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1188 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1189 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1190 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1191 in 'printexpr'.
1192
1193 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1194v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1195 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1196 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1197 can be used.
1198
1199 *v:count* *count-variable*
1200v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1201 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1202 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1203< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1204 get when typing ':' after a count.
1205 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1206
1207 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1208v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1209 used.
1210
1211 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1212v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1213 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1214 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1215 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1216 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1217 command.
1218 See |multi-lang|.
1219
1220 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1221v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1222 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1223 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1224 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1225 Example: >
1226 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1227<
1228 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1229v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1230 Example: >
1231 :let v:errmsg = ""
1232 :silent! next
1233 :if v:errmsg != ""
1234 : ... handle error
1235< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1236
1237 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1238v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1239 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1240 Example: >
1241 :try
1242 : throw "oops"
1243 :catch /.*/
1244 : echo "caught" v:exception
1245 :endtry
1246< Output: "caught oops".
1247
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001248 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1249v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1250 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1251 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1252 deleted file no longer exists
1253 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1254 changed and buffer is modified
1255 changed file contents has changed
1256 mode mode of file changed
1257 time only file timestamp changed
1258
1259 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1260v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1261 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1262 do with the affected buffer:
1263 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1264 the file was deleted).
1265 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1266 was no autocommand. Except that when
1267 only the timestamp changed nothing
1268 will happen.
1269 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1270 everything that needs to be done.
1271 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1272 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1273
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001274 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
1275v:fname_in The name of the input file. Only valid while evaluating:
1276 option used for ~
1277 'charconvert' file to be converted
1278 'diffexpr' original file
1279 'patchexpr' original file
1280 'printexpr' file to be printed
1281
1282 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1283v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1284 evaluating:
1285 option used for ~
1286 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1287 'diffexpr' output of diff
1288 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1289 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1290 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1291 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1292 file and different from v:fname_in.
1293
1294 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1295v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1296 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1297
1298 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1299v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1300 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1301
1302 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1303v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1304 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001305 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001306
1307 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1308v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001309 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001310
1311 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1312v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001313 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001314
1315 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1316v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001317 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001318
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001319 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1320v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1321 events. Values:
1322 i Insert mode
1323 r Replace mode
1324 v Virtual Replace mode
1325
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001326 *v:key* *key-variable*
1327v:key Key of the current item of a Dictionary. Only valid while
1328 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1329 Read-only.
1330
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001331 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1332v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1333 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1334 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1335 The value is system dependent.
1336 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1337 command.
1338 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1339 in a different language than what is used for character
1340 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1341
1342 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1343v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1344 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1345 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1346 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1347 command. See |multi-lang|.
1348
1349 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001350v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
1351 expressions. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1352 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001353
1354 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1355v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1356 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1357 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1358 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1359< Read-only.
1360
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001361 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1362v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1363 See |profiling|.
1364
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001365 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1366v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1367 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1368 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1369 Read-only.
1370
1371 *v:register* *register-variable*
1372v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1373 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1374
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001375 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1376v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1377 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1378 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1379 typed command.
1380 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1381 hit-enter prompt.
1382
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001383 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1384v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1385 Read-only.
1386
1387 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1388v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1389 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1390 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1391 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1392 executed. Read-only.
1393 Example: >
1394 :!mv foo bar
1395 :if v:shell_error
1396 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1397 :endif
1398< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1399
1400 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1401v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1402
1403 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1404v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1405 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1406 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1407 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1408 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1409 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1410 terminal.
1411 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1412 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1413 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1414 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1415 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1416
1417 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1418v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1419 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1420 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1421 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1422
1423 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1424v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1425 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1426 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1427 Example: >
1428 :try
1429 : throw "oops"
1430 :catch /.*/
1431 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1432 :endtry
1433< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1434
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001435 *v:val* *val-variable*
1436v:val Value of the current item of a List or Dictionary. Only valid
1437 while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
1438 |filter()|. Read-only.
1439
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001440 *v:version* *version-variable*
1441v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1442 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1443 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1444 compatibility.
1445 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1446 if has("patch123")
1447< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1448 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1449 completely different.
1450
1451 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1452v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1453
1454==============================================================================
14554. Builtin Functions *functions*
1456
1457See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1458
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001459(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001460
1461USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1462
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001463add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to List {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001464append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001465append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001466argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001467argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001468argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
1469browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1470 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001471browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001472bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001473buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1474bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001475bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1476bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1477bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1478byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001479byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001480call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1481 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001482char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001483cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001484col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001485complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
1486complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001487confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1488 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001489copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001490count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1491 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001492cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1493 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001494cursor( {lnum}, {col}) Number position cursor at {lnum}, {col}
1495deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001496delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1497did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001498diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1499diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001500empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001501escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001502eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001503eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001504executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1505exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
1506expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
1507filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001508filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1509 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001510finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
1511 String Find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001512findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001513 String Find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001514filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
1515fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001516foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1517foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001518foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001519foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001520foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001521function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001522get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001523get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001524getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1525 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001526getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1527getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001528getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
1529getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1530getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001531getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001532getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001533getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1534getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001535getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001536getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001537getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001538getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1539getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001540getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001541getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001542getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001543getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1544getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1545getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in window {nr}
1546glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1547globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1548has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001549has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001550hasmapto( {what} [, {mode}]) Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
1551histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1552histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1553histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1554histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1555hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1556hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1557hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001558iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1559indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001560index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1561 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001562input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1563 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001564inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001565inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1566inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001567inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001568insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001569isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001570islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001571items( {dict}) List List of key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001572join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001573keys( {dict}) List List of keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001574len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1575libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001576libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1577line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1578line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001579lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001580localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001581map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001582maparg( {name}[, {mode}]) String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1583mapcheck( {name}[, {mode}]) String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001584match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001585 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001586matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001587 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001588matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1589 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001590matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1591 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001592max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1593min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001594mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1595 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001596mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001597nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1598nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
1599prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00001600printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001601range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1602 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001603readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1604 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001605remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1606 String send expression
1607remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1608remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1609 Number check for reply string
1610remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1611remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1612 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001613remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001614remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001615rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1616repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1617resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001618reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001619search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001620searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
1621 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001622searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001623 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001624server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1625 Number send reply string
1626serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1627setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1628setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1629setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00001630setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number set list of quickfix items using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001631setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001632setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001633simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001634sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001635soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001636spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001637spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1638 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001639split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
1640 List make List from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001641strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001642stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1643 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001644string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001645strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1646strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1647 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001648strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1649 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001650strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001651submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001652substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1653 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001654synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001655synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1656 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1657synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001658system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00001659taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
1660tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001661tempname() String name for a temporary file
1662tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1663toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001664tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1665 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001666type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001667values( {dict}) List List of values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001668virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1669visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1670winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1671wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1672winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1673winline() Number window line of the cursor
1674winnr() Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001675winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001676winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001677writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1678 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001679
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001680add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
1681 Append the item {expr} to List {list}. Returns the resulting
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001682 List. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001683 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1684 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
1685< Note that when {expr} is a List it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001686 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001687 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001688
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001689
1690append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001691 When {expr} is a List: Append each item of the List as a text
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001692 line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001693 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1694 the current buffer.
1695 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001696 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1697 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001698 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001699 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001700<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001701 *argc()*
1702argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1703 current window. See |arglist|.
1704
1705 *argidx()*
1706argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1707 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1708
1709 *argv()*
1710argv({nr}) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
1711 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1712 Example: >
1713 :let i = 0
1714 :while i < argc()
1715 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1716 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1717 : let i = i + 1
1718 :endwhile
1719<
1720 *browse()*
1721browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1722 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1723 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1724 The input fields are:
1725 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1726 {title} title for the requester
1727 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1728 {default} default file name
1729 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1730 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1731
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001732 *browsedir()*
1733browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1734 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1735 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1736 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1737 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1738 to be used.
1739 The input fields are:
1740 {title} title for the requester
1741 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1742 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1743 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1744
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001745bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1746 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1747 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001748 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001749 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001750 exactly. The name can be:
1751 - Relative to the current directory.
1752 - A full path.
1753 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1754 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001755 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1756 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1757 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1758 long name to be able to find them.
1759 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1760 file name.
1761 *buffer_exists()*
1762 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1763
1764buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1765 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1766 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001767 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001768
1769bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1770 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1771 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001772 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001773
1774bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1775 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1776 ":ls" command.
1777 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1778 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1779 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1780 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1781 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1782 match an empty string is returned.
1783 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1784 alternate buffer.
1785 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1786 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1787 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1788 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1789 buffers are searched for.
1790 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1791 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1792 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1793< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1794 string is returned. >
1795 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1796 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1797 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1798 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1799< *buffer_name()*
1800 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1801
1802 *bufnr()*
1803bufnr({expr}) The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
1804 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
1805 above. If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
1806 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1807 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1808< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1809 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1810 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1811 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1812 *buffer_number()*
1813 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1814 *last_buffer_nr()*
1815 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1816
1817bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1818 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1819 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1820 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1821 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1822
1823 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1824
1825< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1826 |:wincmd|.
1827
1828
1829byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1830 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1831 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1832 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1833 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1834 one.
1835 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1836 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1837 feature}
1838
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001839byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1840 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1841 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1842 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1843 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1844 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1845 Example : >
1846 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1847< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1848 same: >
1849 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1850 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1851< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1852 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1853 is returned.
1854
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001855call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001856 Call function {func} with the items in List {arglist} as
1857 arguments.
1858 {func} can either be a Funcref or the name of a function.
1859 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1860 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001861 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1862 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001863
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001864char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1865 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1866 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1867 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1868< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
1869 char2nr("á") returns 225
1870 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001871< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001872
1873cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1874 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1875 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1876 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1877 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1878 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1879 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00001880 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001881
1882 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001883col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001884 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1885 . the cursor position
1886 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1887 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1888 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1889 returned)
1890 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1891 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1892 Examples: >
1893 col(".") column of cursor
1894 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1895 col("'t") column of mark t
1896 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1897< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
1898 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1899 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1900 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
1901 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
1902 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
1903 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
1904 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
1905<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001906
1907complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
1908 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
1909 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
1910 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
1911 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
1912 the list.
1913
1914complete_check() *complete_check()*
1915 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
1916 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
1917 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
1918 zero otherwise.
1919 Only to be used by the function specified with the
1920 'completefunc' option.
1921
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001922 *confirm()*
1923confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1924 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
1925 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
1926 choice this is 1.
1927 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
1928 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
1929 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
1930 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
1931 used (and translated).
1932 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
1933 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
1934 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
1935 by '\n', e.g. >
1936 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
1937< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
1938 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
1939 not need to be the first letter: >
1940 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
1941< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
1942 the default shortcut key.
1943 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
1944 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
1945 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
1946 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
1947 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
1948 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
1949 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
1950 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
1951 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
1952 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
1953 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
1954
1955 An example: >
1956 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
1957 :if choice == 0
1958 : echo "make up your mind!"
1959 :elseif choice == 3
1960 : echo "tasteful"
1961 :else
1962 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
1963 :endif
1964< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
1965 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
1966 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
1967 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
1968 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
1969 the horizontal layout is always used.
1970
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001971 *copy()*
1972copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
1973 different from using {expr} directly.
1974 When {expr} is a List a shallow copy is created. This means
1975 that the original List can be changed without changing the
1976 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
1977 changing an item changes the contents of both Lists. Also see
1978 |deepcopy()|.
1979
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001980count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001981 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001982 in List or Dictionary {comp}.
1983 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
1984 {start} can only be used with a List.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001985 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
1986
1987
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001988 *cscope_connection()*
1989cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1990 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
1991 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
1992 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
1993 if there are no cscope connections;
1994 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
1995
1996 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
1997 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
1998
1999 {num} Description of existence check
2000 ----- ------------------------------
2001 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2002 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2003 {dbpath}.
2004 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2005 {dbpath}.
2006 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2007 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2008 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2009 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2010
2011 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2012
2013 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2014
2015 # pid database name prepend path
2016 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2017<
2018 Invocation Return Val ~
2019 ---------- ---------- >
2020 cscope_connection() 1
2021 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2022 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2023 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2024 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2025 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2026 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2027 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2028<
2029cursor({lnum}, {col}) *cursor()*
2030 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002031 The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002032 Does not change the jumplist.
2033 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2034 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2035 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002036 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002037 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2038 line.
2039 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
2040
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002041
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002042deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002043 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2044 different from using {expr} directly.
2045 When {expr} is a List a full copy is created. This means
2046 that the original List can be changed without changing the
2047 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a List, a copy for it
2048 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
2049 not change the contents of the original List.
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002050 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained List or Dictionary
2051 is only copied once. All references point to this single
2052 copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a List or
2053 Dictionary results in a new copy. This also means that a
2054 cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002055 *E724*
2056 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002057 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2058 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002059 Also see |copy()|.
2060
2061delete({fname}) *delete()*
2062 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002063 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2064 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002065 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002066
2067 *did_filetype()*
2068did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2069 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2070 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2071 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2072 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2073 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2074 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2075 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2076 file.
2077
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002078diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2079 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2080 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2081 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2082 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2083 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2084 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2085 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2086
2087diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2088 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2089 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2090 diff change zero is returned.
2091 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2092 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2093 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2094 line.
2095 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2096 syntax information about the highlighting.
2097
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002098empty({expr}) *empty()*
2099 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002100 A List or Dictionary is empty when it does not have any items.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002101 A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2102 For a long List this is much faster then comparing the length
2103 with zero.
2104
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002105escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2106 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2107 backslash. Example: >
2108 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2109< results in: >
2110 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002111
2112< *eval()*
2113eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2114 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2115 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
2116 Also works for Funcrefs that refer to existing functions.
2117
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002118eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2119 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2120 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2121 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2122 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2123
2124executable({expr}) *executable()*
2125 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2126 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002127 arguments.
2128 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2129 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2130 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2131 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2132 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2133 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2134 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2135 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2136 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2137 extension.
2138 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2139 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002140 The result is a Number:
2141 1 exists
2142 0 does not exist
2143 -1 not implemented on this system
2144
2145 *exists()*
2146exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2147 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2148 which contains one of these:
2149 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2150 not if it really works)
2151 +option-name Vim option that works.
2152 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2153 done by comparing with an empty
2154 string)
2155 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2156 or user defined function (see
2157 |user-functions|).
2158 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002159 |internal-variables|). Also works
2160 for |curly-braces-names|, Dictionary
2161 entries, List items, etc. Beware that
2162 this may cause functions to be
2163 invoked cause an error message for an
2164 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002165 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2166 command or command modifier |:command|.
2167 Returns:
2168 1 for match with start of a command
2169 2 full match with a command
2170 3 matches several user commands
2171 To check for a supported command
2172 always check the return value to be 2.
2173 #event autocommand defined for this event
2174 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2175 pattern (the pattern is taken
2176 literally and compared to the
2177 autocommand patterns character by
2178 character)
2179 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2180
2181 Examples: >
2182 exists("&shortname")
2183 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2184 exists("*strftime")
2185 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2186 exists("bufcount")
2187 exists(":Make")
2188 exists("#CursorHold");
2189 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
2190< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2191 name.
2192 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2193 variable itself! For example: >
2194 exists(bufcount)
2195< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
2196 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
2197 exists.
2198
2199expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2200 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2201 The result is a String.
2202
2203 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2204 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2205 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2206
2207 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2208 for a non-existing file is not included.
2209
2210 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2211 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2212 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2213
2214 % current file name
2215 # alternate file name
2216 #n alternate file name n
2217 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2218 <afile> autocmd file name
2219 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2220 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2221 <sfile> sourced script file name
2222 <cword> word under the cursor
2223 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2224 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2225 message |server2client()|
2226 Modifiers:
2227 :p expand to full path
2228 :h head (last path component removed)
2229 :t tail (last path component only)
2230 :r root (one extension removed)
2231 :e extension only
2232
2233 Example: >
2234 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2235< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2236 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2237 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2238< Use this: >
2239 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2240< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2241 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2242 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2243 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2244 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2245<
2246 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2247 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2248 to modify normal file names.
2249
2250 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2251 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2252 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2253 '/' added.
2254
2255 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2256 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2257 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2258 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002259 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2260 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2261 files in the current directory and below: >
2262 :echo expand("**/README")
2263<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002264 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2265 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2266 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2267 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2268 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2269 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2270 "$FOOBAR".
2271
2272 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2273 getting the raw output of an external command.
2274
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002275extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
2276 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both Lists or both Dictionaries.
2277
2278 If they are Lists: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
2279 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2280 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2281 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2282 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002283 Examples: >
2284 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2285 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002286< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2287 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002288 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002289<
2290 If they are Dictionaries:
2291 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2292 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2293 used to decide what to do:
2294 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2295 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00002296 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002297 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2298
2299 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2300 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2301 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2302 Returns {expr1}.
2303
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002304
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002305filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2306 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2307 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2308 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2309 expression, which is used as a String.
2310 *file_readable()*
2311 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2312
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002313
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002314filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
2315 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
2316 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
2317 is zero remove the item from the List or Dictionary.
2318 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
2319 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
2320 Examples: >
2321 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2322< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2323 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2324< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2325 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002326< Removes all the items, thus clears the List or Dictionary.
2327
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002328 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2329 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2330 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2331
2332 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
2333 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002334 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), '& =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002335
2336< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002337
2338
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002339finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
2340 Find directory {name} in {path}.
2341 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2342 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
2343 {name} in {path}.
2344 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
2345 When the found directory is below the current directory a
2346 relative path is returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
2347 Example: >
2348 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2349< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2350 the file "tags.vim".
2351 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2352
2353findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2354 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
2355
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002356filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2357 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2358 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2359 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2360 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2361
2362fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2363 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2364 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2365 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2366 Example: >
2367 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2368< results in: >
2369 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2370< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2371 |expand()| first then.
2372
2373foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2374 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2375 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2376 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2377
2378foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2379 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2380 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2381 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2382
2383foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2384 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2385 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2386 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2387 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2388 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2389 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2390 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2391 previous line is usually available.
2392
2393 *foldtext()*
2394foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2395 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2396 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2397 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2398 The returned string looks like this: >
2399 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2400< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2401 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2402 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2403 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2404 options is removed.
2405 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2406
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002407foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2408 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2409 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2410 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2411 returned.
2412 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2413 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2414 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2415 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2416
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002417 *foreground()*
2418foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2419 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2420 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2421 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2422 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2423 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2424 Win32 console version}
2425
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002426
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002427function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002428 Return a Funcref variable that refers to function {name}.
2429 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2430
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002431
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002432garbagecollect() *garbagecollect()*
2433 Cleanup unused Lists and Dictionaries that have circular
2434 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2435 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2436 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2437 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2438 freed when they become unused.
2439 This is useful if you have deleted a very big List and/or
2440 Dictionary with circular references in a script that runs for
2441 a long time.
2442
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002443get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002444 Get item {idx} from List {list}. When this item is not
2445 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2446 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002447get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
2448 Get item with key {key} from Dictionary {dict}. When this
2449 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2450 {default} is omitted.
2451
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002452 *getbufline()*
2453getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002454 Return a List with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2455 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a List
2456 with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002457
2458 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2459
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002460 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2461 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002462
2463 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2464 lines in the buffer, an empty List is returned.
2465
2466 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2467 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002468 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty List is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002469 returned.
2470
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002471 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002472 non-existing buffers, an empty List is returned.
2473
2474 Example: >
2475 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002476
2477getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2478 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2479 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2480 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002481 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2482 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2483 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002484 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2485 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2486 returned, there is no error message.
2487 Examples: >
2488 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2489 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2490<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002491getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2492 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2493 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2494 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2495 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2496 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2497 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2498 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2499 not consumed. If a normal character is
2500 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2501 non-zero value is returned.
2502 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2503 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2504 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2505 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2506 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2507 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2508 user that a character has to be typed.
2509 There is no mapping for the character.
2510 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2511 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2512 sequence. Examples: >
2513 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2514 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2515< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2516 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2517 :function FindChar()
2518 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2519 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2520 : normal l
2521 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2522 : break
2523 : endif
2524 : endwhile
2525 :endfunction
2526
2527getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2528 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2529 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2530 These values are added together:
2531 2 shift
2532 4 control
2533 8 alt (meta)
2534 16 mouse double click
2535 32 mouse triple click
2536 64 mouse quadruple click
2537 128 Macintosh only: command
2538 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2539 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2540 with no modifier.
2541
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002542getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2543 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2544 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2545 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2546 Example: >
2547 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002548< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002549
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002550getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002551 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2552 byte count. The first column is 1.
2553 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2554 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002555 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2556
2557getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
2558 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
2559 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00002560 : normal Ex command
2561 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
2562 / forward search command
2563 ? backward search command
2564 @ |input()| command
2565 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002566 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2567 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
2568 otherwise.
2569 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002570
2571 *getcwd()*
2572getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2573 working directory.
2574
2575getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2576 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2577 given file {fname}.
2578 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2579 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2580
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002581getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2582 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2583 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2584 |hl-Normal|.
2585 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2586 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2587 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2588 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
2589 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not you your vimrc or
2590 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2591 for a valid name does not work.
2592 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2593 function just after the GUI has started.
2594
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002595getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2596 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2597 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2598 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2599 empty string is returned.
2600 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2601 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2602 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2603 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2604 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2605 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2606< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2607 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002608
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002609getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2610 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2611 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2612 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2613 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2614 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2615
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002616getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2617 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2618 file of the given file {fname}.
2619 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2620 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2621 results:
2622 Normal file "file"
2623 Directory "dir"
2624 Symbolic link "link"
2625 Block device "bdev"
2626 Character device "cdev"
2627 Socket "socket"
2628 FIFO "fifo"
2629 All other "other"
2630 Example: >
2631 getftype("/home")
2632< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2633 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2634 "file" are returned.
2635
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002636 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002637getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2638 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2639 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002640 getline(1)
2641< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2642 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2643 To get the line under the cursor: >
2644 getline(".")
2645< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2646 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2647
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002648 When {end} is given the result is a List where each item is a
2649 line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
2650 including line {end}.
2651 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2652 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002653 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty List is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002654 Example: >
2655 :let start = line('.')
2656 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2657 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2658
2659
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002660getqflist() *getqflist()*
2661 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2662 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2663 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2664 bufname() to get the name
2665 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2666 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002667 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2668 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002669 nr error number
2670 text description of the error
2671 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2672 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2673
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002674 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
2675 returned.
2676
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002677 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2678 do something with them: >
2679 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2680 :for d in getqflist()
2681 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2682 :endfor
2683
2684
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002685getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002686 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002687 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002688 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2689< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002690 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002691 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2692 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2693 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002694 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2695
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002696
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002697getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2698 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2699 The value will be one of:
2700 "v" for |characterwise| text
2701 "V" for |linewise| text
2702 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2703 0 for an empty or unknown register
2704 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2705 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2706
2707 *getwinposx()*
2708getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2709 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2710 -1 if the information is not available.
2711
2712 *getwinposy()*
2713getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2714 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2715 information is not available.
2716
2717getwinvar({nr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2718 The result is the value of option or local window variable
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00002719 {varname} in window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current
2720 window is used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002721 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
2722 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
2723 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002724 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2725 Examples: >
2726 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2727 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2728<
2729 *glob()*
2730glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2731 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2732 characters.
2733 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2734 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2735
2736 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2737 any external command. Example: >
2738 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2739 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2740< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2741 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2742
2743 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2744 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2745
2746globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2747 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2748 the results. Example: >
2749 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2750< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2751 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2752 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2753 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2754 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2755 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2756 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2757 error message.
2758 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2759 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2760
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002761 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
2762 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
2763 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
2764 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
2765<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002766 *has()*
2767has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2768 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2769 string. See |feature-list| below.
2770 Also see |exists()|.
2771
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002772
2773has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
2774 The result is a Number, which is 1 if Dictionary {dict} has an
2775 entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
2776
2777
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002778hasmapto({what} [, {mode}]) *hasmapto()*
2779 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2780 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2781 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2782 {mode}.
2783 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2784 buffer are checked for a match.
2785 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2786 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2787 n Normal mode
2788 v Visual mode
2789 o Operator-pending mode
2790 i Insert mode
2791 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2792 c Command-line mode
2793 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2794
2795 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2796 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2797 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2798 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2799 :endif
2800< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
2801 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
2802
2803histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
2804 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
2805 one of: *hist-names*
2806 "cmd" or ":" command line history
2807 "search" or "/" search pattern history
2808 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
2809 "input" or "@" input line history
2810 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
2811 shifted to become the newest entry.
2812 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
2813 otherwise 0 is returned.
2814
2815 Example: >
2816 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
2817 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
2818< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2819
2820histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002821 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002822 for the possible values of {history}.
2823
2824 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
2825 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
2826 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
2827 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
2828 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
2829 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
2830 if it exists.
2831
2832 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
2833 otherwise 0 is returned.
2834
2835 Examples:
2836 Clear expression register history: >
2837 :call histdel("expr")
2838<
2839 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
2840 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
2841<
2842 The following three are equivalent: >
2843 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
2844 :call histdel("search", -1)
2845 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
2846<
2847 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
2848 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
2849 :call histdel("search", -1)
2850 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
2851
2852histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
2853 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
2854 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
2855 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
2856 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
2857 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
2858
2859 Examples:
2860 Redo the second last search from history. >
2861 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
2862
2863< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
2864 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
2865 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
2866<
2867histnr({history}) *histnr()*
2868 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
2869 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
2870 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
2871
2872 Example: >
2873 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
2874<
2875hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
2876 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
2877 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
2878 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
2879 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
2880 item.
2881 *highlight_exists()*
2882 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
2883
2884 *hlID()*
2885hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
2886 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
2887 zero is returned.
2888 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
2889 group. For example, to get the background color of the
2890 "Comment" group: >
2891 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
2892< *highlightID()*
2893 Obsolete name: highlightID().
2894
2895hostname() *hostname()*
2896 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002897 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002898 256 characters long are truncated.
2899
2900iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
2901 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
2902 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
2903 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
2904 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
2905 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
2906 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
2907 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
2908 can be done.
2909 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
2910 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
2911 UTF-8 and use: >
2912 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
2913< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
2914 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
2915 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
2916 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
2917
2918 *indent()*
2919indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
2920 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
2921 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
2922 |getline()|.
2923 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
2924
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002925
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002926index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002927 Return the lowest index in List {list} where the item has a
2928 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002929 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
2930 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002931 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
2932 case must match.
2933 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
2934 Example: >
2935 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00002936 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002937
2938
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002939input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002940 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
2941 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
2942 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002943 prompt to start a new line.
2944 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
2945 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
2946 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
2947 for lines typed for input().
2948 Example: >
2949 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
2950 : echo "Cheers!"
2951 :endif
2952<
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00002953 If the optional {text} is present and not empty, this is used
2954 for the default reply, as if the user typed this. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002955 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
2956
2957< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
2958 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
2959 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
2960 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
2961 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
2962 more information. Example: >
2963 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
2964<
2965 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
2966 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002967 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
2968 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
2969 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
2970 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
2971 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
2972 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
2973 |:execute| or |:normal|.
2974
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002975 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002976 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
2977 :function GetFoo()
2978 : call inputsave()
2979 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
2980 : call inputrestore()
2981 :endfunction
2982
2983inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
2984 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
2985 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
2986 Example: >
2987 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
2988 :if n != ""
2989 : let &sw = n
2990 :endif
2991< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
2992 omitted an empty string is returned.
2993 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
2994 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002995 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002996
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00002997inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
2998 {textlist} must be a list of strings. This list is displayed,
2999 one string per line. The user will be prompted to enter a
3000 number, which is returned.
3001 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
3002 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
3003 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3004 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3005 is returned.
3006 Make sure {textlist} has less then 'lines' entries, otherwise
3007 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
3008 the start of the string. Example: >
3009 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3010 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3011
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003012inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
3013 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
3014 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3015 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3016 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3017
3018inputsave() *inputsave()*
3019 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3020 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3021 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3022 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3023 many inputrestore() calls.
3024 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3025
3026inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3027 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3028 two exceptions:
3029 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3030 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3031 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3032 |history| stack.
3033 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3034 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003035 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003036
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003037insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
3038 Insert {item} at the start of List {list}.
3039 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
3040 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
3041 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3042 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003043 Returns the resulting List. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003044 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3045 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3046 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003047< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003048 Note that when {item} is a List it is inserted as a single
3049 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
3050
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003051isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3052 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3053 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3054 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3055 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3056
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003057islocked({expr}) *islocked()*
3058 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3059 name of a locked variable.
3060 {expr} must be the name of a variable, List item or Dictionary
3061 entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
3062 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3063 :lockvar 1 alist
3064 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3065 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3066
3067< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
3068 message. Use |exists()| to check for existance.
3069
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003070items({dict}) *items()*
3071 Return a List with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3072 List item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict} entry
3073 and the value of this entry. The List is in arbitrary order.
3074
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003075
3076join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3077 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3078 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3079 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3080 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3081 add it there too: >
3082 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
3083< String items are used as-is. Lists and Dictionaries are
3084 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3085 The opposite function is |split()|.
3086
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003087keys({dict}) *keys()*
3088 Return a List with all the keys of {dict}. The List is in
3089 arbitrary order.
3090
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003091 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003092len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3093 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3094 used, as with |strlen()|.
3095 When {expr} is a List the number of items in the List is
3096 returned.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003097 When {expr} is a Dictionary the number of entries in the
3098 Dictionary is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003099 Otherwise an error is given.
3100
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003101 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3102libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3103 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3104 with single argument {argument}.
3105 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3106 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3107 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3108 limited.
3109 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3110 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3111 to Vim.
3112 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3113 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3114 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3115 null-terminated string.
3116 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3117
3118 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3119 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3120 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3121 very probably crash.
3122
3123 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3124 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3125 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3126 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3127 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3128 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3129 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3130 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3131 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3132 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3133
3134 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
3135 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
3136 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3137 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3138 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3139 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3140 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3141 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3142 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3143 feature is present}
3144 Examples: >
3145 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
3146 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
3147<
3148 *libcallnr()*
3149libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3150 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3151 int instead of a string.
3152 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3153 feature is present}
3154 Example (not very useful...): >
3155 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3156 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3157<
3158 *line()*
3159line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3160 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3161 . the cursor position
3162 $ the last line in the current buffer
3163 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3164 returned)
3165 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
3166 Examples: >
3167 line(".") line number of the cursor
3168 line("'t") line number of mark t
3169 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3170< *last-position-jump*
3171 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3172 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3173 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003174
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003175line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3176 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3177 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3178 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3179 line returns 1.
3180 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3181 below the last line: >
3182 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3183< This is the file size plus one.
3184 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3185 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3186 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3187
3188lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3189 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3190 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3191 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3192 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3193 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3194 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3195
3196localtime() *localtime()*
3197 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3198 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3199
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003200
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003201map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
3202 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
3203 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3204 {string}.
3205 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
3206 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
3207 Example: >
3208 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003209< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003210
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003211 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003212 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003213 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3214 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003215
3216 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
3217 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003218 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003219
3220< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003221
3222
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003223maparg({name}[, {mode}]) *maparg()*
3224 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3225 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
3226 These characters can be used for {mode}:
3227 "n" Normal
3228 "v" Visual
3229 "o" Operator-pending
3230 "i" Insert
3231 "c" Cmd-line
3232 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3233 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
3234 When {mode} is omitted, the modes from "" are used.
3235 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3236 command. The returned String has special characters
3237 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3238 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3239 then the global mappings.
3240
3241mapcheck({name}[, {mode}]) *mapcheck()*
3242 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3243 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3244 {name}.
3245 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3246 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3247
3248 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3249 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3250 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3251 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3252 mapcheck("b") no no no
3253
3254 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3255 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3256 mapping for {name} exactly.
3257 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3258 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3259 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3260 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3261 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3262 then the global mappings.
3263 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3264 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3265 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3266 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3267 :endif
3268< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3269 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3270
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003271match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003272 When {expr} is a List then this returns the index of the first
3273 item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a String,
3274 Lists and Dictionaries are used as echoed.
3275 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3276 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3277 {pat} matches.
3278 A match at the first character or List item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003279 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3280 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003281 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
3282 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 2
3283< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003284 *strpbrk()*
3285 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3286 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3287< *strcasestr()*
3288 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3289 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3290 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3291<
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003292 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003293 is found in a String the search for the next one starts on
3294 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003295 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003296< In a List the search continues in the next item.
3297
3298 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
3299 {start} in a String or item {start} in a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003300 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003301 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003302 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3303< result is again "4". >
3304 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3305< result is again "4". >
3306 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3307< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003308 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3309 the index is counted from the end.
3310 If {start} is out of range (> strlen({expr} for a String or
3311 > len({expr} for a List) -1 is returned.
3312
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003313 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3314 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3315 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3316 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3317
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003318matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003319 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3320 the match. Example: >
3321 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3322< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003323 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3324 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3325 do it with matchend(): >
3326 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3327 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3328< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3329
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003330 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3331 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3332< results in "7". >
3333 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3334< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003335 When {expr} is a List the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003336
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003337matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
3338 Same as match(), but return a List. The first item in the
3339 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3340 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
3341 in |:substitute|.
3342 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3343
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003344matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003345 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3346 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3347< results in "ing".
3348 When there is no match "" is returned.
3349 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3350 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3351< results in "ing". >
3352 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3353< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003354 When {expr} is a List then the matching item is returned.
3355 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003356
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003357 *max()*
3358max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3359 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3360 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3361 An empty List results in zero.
3362
3363 *min()*
3364min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3365 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3366 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3367 An empty List results in zero.
3368
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003369 *mkdir()* *E749*
3370mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3371 Create directory {name}.
3372 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3373 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3374 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3375 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3376 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3377 for others.
3378 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3379 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3380 :if exists("*mkdir")
3381<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003382 *mode()*
3383mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3384 n Normal
3385 v Visual by character
3386 V Visual by line
3387 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3388 s Select by character
3389 S Select by line
3390 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3391 i Insert
3392 R Replace
3393 c Command-line
3394 r Hit-enter prompt
3395 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3396 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3397
3398nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3399 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3400 that is not blank. Example: >
3401 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3402< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3403 below it, zero is returned.
3404 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3405
3406nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3407 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3408 value {expr}. Examples: >
3409 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3410 nr2char(32) returns " "
3411< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3412 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3413< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3414 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3415 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003416 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003417
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003418printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
3419 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
3420 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003421 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003422< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003423 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003424
3425 Often used items are:
3426 %s string
3427 %6s string right-aligned in 6 characters
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003428 %c single byte
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003429 %d decimal number
3430 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
3431 %x hex number
3432 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
3433 %X hex number using upper case letters
3434 %o octal number
3435 %% the % character
3436
3437 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
3438 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
3439 the result.
3440
3441 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003442 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003443
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003444 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003445
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003446 flags
3447 Zero or more of the following flags:
3448
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003449 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
3450 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
3451 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
3452 of the number is increased to force the first
3453 character of the output string to a zero (except
3454 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
3455 precision of zero).
3456 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
3457 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
3458 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003459
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003460 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
3461 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
3462 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
3463 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
3464 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003465
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003466 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
3467 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
3468 The converted value is padded on the right with
3469 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
3470 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003471
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003472 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
3473 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003474
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003475 + A sign must always be placed before a number
3476 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
3477 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003478
3479 field-width
3480 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
3481 field width. If the converted value has fewer
3482 characters than the field width, it will be padded
3483 with spaces on the left (or right, if the
3484 left-adjustment flag has been given) to fill out the
3485 field width.
3486
3487 .precision
3488 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
3489 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
3490 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
3491 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
3492 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
3493 characters to be printed from a string for s
3494 conversions.
3495
3496 type
3497 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
3498 be applied, see below.
3499
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003500 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
3501 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
3502 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
3503 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
3504 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
3505 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003506 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003507< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003508 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003509
3510 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003511
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003512 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
3513 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
3514 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
3515 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003516 conversions.
3517 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
3518 digits that must appear; if the converted value
3519 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
3520 zeros.
3521 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
3522 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
3523 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
3524 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
3525
3526 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
3527 resulting character is written.
3528
3529 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
3530 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
3531 specified are used.
3532
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003533 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
3534 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003535
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003536 Each argument can be Number or String and is converted
3537 automatically to fit the conversion specifier. Any other
3538 argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003539
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00003540 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003541 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
3542 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003543 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003544
3545
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003546prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3547 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3548 that is not blank. Example: >
3549 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3550< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3551 above it, zero is returned.
3552 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3553
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003554 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003555range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
3556 Returns a List with Numbers:
3557 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3558 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3559 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3560 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3561 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003562 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
3563 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
3564 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003565 Examples: >
3566 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
3567 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3568 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
3569 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003570 range(0) " []
3571 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003572<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003573 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003574readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003575 Read file {fname} and return a List, each line of the file as
3576 an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
3577 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3578 NL appears somewhere).
3579 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3580 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3581 added.
3582 - No CR characters are removed.
3583 Otherwise:
3584 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3585 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3586 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003587 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
3588 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
3589 lines of a file: >
3590 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
3591 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
3592 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003593< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
3594 are returned, or as many as there are.
3595 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003596 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
3597 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
3598 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003599 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3600 the result is an empty list.
3601 Also see |writefile()|.
3602
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003603 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3604remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3605 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3606 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
3607 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3608 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3609 remote_read() is stored there.
3610 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3611 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3612 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3613 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3614 and the result will be the empty string.
3615 Examples: >
3616 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3617 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3618<
3619
3620remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3621 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3622 This works like: >
3623 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3624< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3625 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3626 to bring itself to the foreground.
3627 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3628 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3629 Win32 console version}
3630
3631
3632remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3633 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3634 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3635 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3636 name of a variable.
3637 Returns zero if none are available.
3638 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3639 See also |clientserver|.
3640 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3641 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3642 Examples: >
3643 :let repl = ""
3644 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3645
3646remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3647 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3648 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3649 See also |clientserver|.
3650 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3651 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3652 Example: >
3653 :echo remote_read(id)
3654<
3655 *remote_send()* *E241*
3656remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003657 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3658 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3659 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003660 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3661 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3662 remote_read() is stored there.
3663 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3664 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3665 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3666 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3667 up the display.
3668 Examples: >
3669 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3670 \ remote_read(serverid)
3671
3672 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3673 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3674 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3675 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003676<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003677remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
3678 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from List {list} and
3679 return it.
3680 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3681 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3682 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3683 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3684 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003685 Example: >
3686 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003687 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003688remove({dict}, {key})
3689 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3690 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3691< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3692
3693 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003694
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003695rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3696 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3697 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3698 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3699 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
3700 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3701
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003702repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
3703 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
3704 result. Example: >
3705 :let seperator = repeat('-', 80)
3706< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003707 When {expr} is a List the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003708 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003709 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
3710< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003711
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003712
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003713resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
3714 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
3715 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
3716 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
3717 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
3718 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
3719 stopped after 100 iterations.
3720 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
3721 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
3722 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
3723 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
3724 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
3725
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003726 *reverse()*
3727reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
3728 {list}.
3729 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3730 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
3731
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003732search({pattern} [, {flags}]) *search()*
3733 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003734 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003735 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
3736 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003737 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003738 'w' wrap around the end of the file
3739 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003740 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the
3741 cursor.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003742 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
3743
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003744 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
3745 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
3746 flag.
3747
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003748 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
3749 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
3750 flag is used).
3751 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
3752 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003753
3754 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
3755 :let n = 1
3756 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
3757 : exe "argument " . n
3758 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
3759 : " first search to find match at start of file
3760 : normal G$
3761 : let flags = "w"
3762 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
3763 : s/foo/bar/g
3764 : let flags = "W"
3765 : endwhile
3766 : update " write the file if modified
3767 : let n = n + 1
3768 :endwhile
3769<
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00003770
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00003771searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
3772 Search for the declaration of {name}.
3773
3774 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
3775 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
3776 first match in the function.
3777
3778 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
3779 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
3780 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
3781
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00003782 Moves the cursor to the found match.
3783 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
3784 Example: >
3785 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
3786 echo getline('.')
3787 endif
3788<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003789 *searchpair()*
3790searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
3791 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
3792 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
3793 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
3794 The search starts at the cursor. If a match is found, the
3795 cursor is positioned at it and the line number is returned.
3796 If no match is found 0 or -1 is returned and the cursor
3797 doesn't move. No error message is given.
3798
3799 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
3800 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
3801 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
3802 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
3803 typical use is: >
3804 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
3805< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
3806
3807 {flags} are used like with |search()|. Additionally:
3808 'n' do Not move the cursor
3809 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
3810 outer pair
3811 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
3812 the match; will only be > 1 when 'r' is used.
3813
3814 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
3815 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
3816 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
3817 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
3818 or a string.
3819 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
3820 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
3821 and -1 returned.
3822
3823 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
3824 patterns are used like it's on.
3825
3826 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
3827 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
3828 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
3829 if 1
3830 if 2
3831 endif 2
3832 endif 1
3833< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
3834 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
3835 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
3836 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
3837 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
3838 "endif 2".
3839 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
3840 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
3841 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
3842 the matching start.
3843
3844 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
3845
3846 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
3847 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
3848
3849< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
3850 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
3851 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
3852 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
3853 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
3854 match.
3855 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
3856
3857 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
3858
3859< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
3860 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
3861 highlighting recognized as strings: >
3862
3863 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
3864 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
3865<
3866server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
3867 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
3868 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
3869 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3870 Note:
3871 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003872 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003873 before calling any commands that waits for input.
3874 See also |clientserver|.
3875 Example: >
3876 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
3877<
3878serverlist() *serverlist()*
3879 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
3880 When there are no servers or the information is not available
3881 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
3882 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3883 Example: >
3884 :echo serverlist()
3885<
3886setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
3887 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
3888 {val}.
3889 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
3890 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
3891 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
3892 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3893 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
3894 Examples: >
3895 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
3896 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
3897< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3898
3899setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
3900 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
3901 {pos}. The first position is 1.
3902 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
3903 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003904 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
3905 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
3906 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
3907 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
3908 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003909 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
3910 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
3911 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
3912 line.
3913
3914setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003915 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
3916 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003917 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
3918 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003919 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
3920 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003921 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003922< When {line} is a List then line {lnum} and following lines
3923 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
3924 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
3925< This is equivalent to: >
3926 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
3927 : call setline(n, l)
3928 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003929< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
3930
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003931
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00003932setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003933 Creates a quickfix list using the items in {list}. Each item
3934 in {list} is a dictionary. Non-dictionary items in {list} are
3935 ignored. Each dictionary item can contain the following
3936 entries:
3937
3938 filename name of a file
3939 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003940 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003941 col column number
3942 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
3943 when zero: "col" is byte index
3944 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003945 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003946 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003947
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003948 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
3949 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
3950 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003951 If the "filename" entry is not present or neither the "lnum"
3952 or "pattern" entries are present, then the item will not be
3953 handled as an error line.
3954 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
3955 be used.
3956
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00003957 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
3958 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
3959 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
3960 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
3961 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
3962 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
3963
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003964 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
3965
3966 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
3967 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
3968 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
3969
3970
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003971 *setreg()*
3972setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
3973 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
3974 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
3975 then the value is appended.
3976 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
3977 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
3978 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
3979 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
3980 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
3981 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
3982 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
3983 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
3984
3985 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
3986 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
3987 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
3988 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
3989
3990 Examples: >
3991 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
3992 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
3993 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
3994
3995< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
3996 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003997 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003998 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
3999 ....
4000 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
4001
4002< You can also change the type of a register by appending
4003 nothing: >
4004 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
4005
4006setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
4007 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004008 {val}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004009 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
4010 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
4011 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
4012 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
4013 Examples: >
4014 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
4015 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
4016< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4017
4018simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
4019 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
4020 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
4021 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
4022 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
4023 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
4024 not removed either.
4025 Example: >
4026 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
4027< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
4028 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
4029 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
4030 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
4031 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
4032
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004033
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004034sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004035 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
4036 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4037 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
4038< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004039 Numbers sort after Strings, Lists after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004040 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004041 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
4042 When {func} is a Funcref or a function name, this function is
4043 called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
4044 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
4045 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
4046 sorts before the second one. Example: >
4047 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
4048 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
4049 endfunc
4050 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004051<
4052
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004053 *soundfold()*
4054soundfold({word})
4055 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
4056 language in 'spellang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004057 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
4058 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004059 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
4060 the method can be quite slow.
4061
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004062 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004063spellbadword([{sentence}])
4064 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
4065 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
4066 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
4067 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
4068
4069 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
4070 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
4071 result is an empty string.
4072
4073 The return value is a list with two items:
4074 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
4075 - The type of the spelling error:
4076 "bad" spelling mistake
4077 "rare" rare word
4078 "local" word only valid in another region
4079 "caps" word should start with Capital
4080 Example: >
4081 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
4082< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
4083
4084 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
4085 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
4086 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004087
4088 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004089spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004090 Return a List with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
4091 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
4092 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
4093
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004094 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
4095 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
4096 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
4097
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004098 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
4099 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00004100 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
4101 replace a line.
4102
4103 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004104 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
4105 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004106
4107 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004108 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
4109 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004110
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004111
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004112split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
4113 Make a List out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or empty
4114 each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004115 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004116 removing the matched characters.
4117 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
4118 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00004119 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
4120 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004121 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004122 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004123< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004124 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00004125< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
4126 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
4127< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004128 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
4129 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
4130< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004131
4132
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004133strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
4134 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
4135 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
4136 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
4137 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
4138 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
4139 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
4140 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
4141 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
4142 Examples: >
4143 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
4144 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
4145 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
4146 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
4147 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
4148 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004149< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4150 :if exists("*strftime")
4151
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004152stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
4153 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4154 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004155 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
4156 This can be used to find a second match: >
4157 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
4158 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
4159< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004160 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004161 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004162 See also |strridx()|.
4163 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004164 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
4165 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
4166 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004167< *strstr()* *strchr()*
4168 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
4169 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
4170
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004171 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004172string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
4173 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
4174 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004175 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004176 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004177 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004178 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004179 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004180 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004181 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004182
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004183 *strlen()*
4184strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004185 {expr} in bytes.
4186 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
4187 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004188
4189 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004190<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004191 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
4192 For other types an error is given.
4193 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004194
4195strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
4196 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
4197 byte {start}, with the length {len}.
4198 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
4199 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
4200 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
4201 end of the {src}. >
4202 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
4203 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
4204 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
4205 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
4206< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
4207 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
4208 strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3)
4209<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004210strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
4211 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4212 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
4213 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
4214 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
4215 match: >
4216 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
4217 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
4218< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004219 For pattern searches use |match()|.
4220 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004221 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004222 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004223 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004224< *strrchr()*
4225 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
4226 function strrchr().
4227
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004228strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
4229 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
4230 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
4231 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
4232 echo strtrans(@a)
4233< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
4234 starting a new line.
4235
4236submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
4237 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
4238 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
4239 the whole matched text is returned.
4240 Example: >
4241 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
4242< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
4243 A line break is included as a newline character.
4244
4245substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
4246 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
4247 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
4248 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
4249 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
4250 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
4251 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
4252 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
4253 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
4254 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
4255 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
4256 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
4257 unmodified.
4258 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
4259 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
4260 Example: >
4261 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
4262< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
4263 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
4264< results in "TESTING".
4265
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004266synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004267 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004268 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004269 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
4270 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004271
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004272 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004273 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
4274
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004275 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
4276 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
4277 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
4278 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
4279 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
4280 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
4281 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
4282
4283 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
4284 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
4285<
4286synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
4287 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
4288 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
4289 about a syntax item.
4290 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
4291 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
4292 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
4293 used (GUI, cterm or term).
4294 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
4295 {what} result
4296 "name" the name of the syntax item
4297 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
4298 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
4299 term: empty string)
4300 "bg" background color (like "fg")
4301 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
4302 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
4303 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
4304 "bold" "1" if bold
4305 "italic" "1" if italic
4306 "reverse" "1" if reverse
4307 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
4308 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004309 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004310
4311 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
4312 cursor): >
4313 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
4314<
4315synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
4316 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
4317 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
4318 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
4319 ":highlight link" are followed.
4320
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004321system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
4322 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
4323 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
4324 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
4325 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004326 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004327 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
4328 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
4329 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004330 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
4331 The result is a String. Example: >
4332
4333 :let files = system("ls")
4334
4335< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
4336 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
4337 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
4338 The command executed is constructed using several options:
4339 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
4340 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
4341 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
4342 concatenated commands.
4343
4344 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
4345 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
4346 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
4347 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
4348
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004349
4350taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
4351 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00004352 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
4353 entries:
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004354 name name of the tag.
4355 filename name of the file where the tag is
4356 defined.
4357 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
4358 the file.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004359 kind type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004360 entry depends on the language specific
4361 kind values generated by the ctags
4362 tool.
4363 static a file specific tag. Refer to
4364 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004365 The "kind" entry is only available when using Exuberant ctags
4366 generated tags file. More entries may be present, depending
4367 on the content of the tags file: access, implementation,
4368 inherits and signature. Refer to the ctags documentation for
4369 information about these fields. For C code the fields
4370 "struct", "class" and "enum" may appear, they give the name of
4371 the entity the tag is contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004372
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004373 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
4374 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004375
4376 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
4377
4378 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
4379 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
4380 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
4381
4382 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
4383 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
4384 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
4385
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00004386 *tagfiles()*
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00004387tagfiles() Returns a List with the file names used to search for tags for
4388 the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
4389
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004390
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004391tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
4392 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
4393 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
4394 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
4395 :let tmpfile = tempname()
4396 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
4397< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
4398 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
4399 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
4400 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
4401 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
4402 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
4403
4404tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
4405 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
4406 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
4407 the string).
4408
4409toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
4410 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
4411 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
4412 the string).
4413
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00004414tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
4415 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
4416 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
4417 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
4418 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
4419 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
4420 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
4421
4422 Examples: >
4423 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
4424< returns "Hello THere" >
4425 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
4426< returns "{blob}"
4427
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004428 *type()*
4429type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004430 Number: 0
4431 String: 1
4432 Funcref: 2
4433 List: 3
4434 Dictionary: 4
4435 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004436 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
4437 :if type(myvar) == type("")
4438 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
4439 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004440 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004441
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004442values({dict}) *values()*
4443 Return a List with all the values of {dict}. The List is in
4444 arbitrary order.
4445
4446
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004447virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
4448 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
4449 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
4450 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
4451 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
4452 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
4453 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
4454 set to 8, it returns 8.
4455 For the byte position use |col()|.
4456 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
4457 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
4458 The accepted positions are:
4459 . the cursor position
4460 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
4461 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
4462 plus one)
4463 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
4464 returned)
4465 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
4466 Examples: >
4467 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
4468 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
4469 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
4470< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
4471
4472visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
4473 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
4474 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
4475 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
4476 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
4477 block-wise Visual mode respectively.
4478 Example: >
4479 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
4480< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
4481 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
4482 Visual mode that was used.
4483
4484 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
4485 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
4486 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
4487 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
4488
4489 *winbufnr()*
4490winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004491 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004492 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
4493 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4494 Example: >
4495 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
4496<
4497 *wincol()*
4498wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
4499 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
4500 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
4501
4502winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
4503 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
4504 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
4505 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4506 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
4507 Examples: >
4508 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
4509<
4510 *winline()*
4511winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
4512 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
4513 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004514 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
4515 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004516
4517 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004518winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4519 window. The top window has number 1.
4520 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
4521 last window is returnd (the window count).
4522 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
4523 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
4524 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
4525 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
4526 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004527
4528 *winrestcmd()*
4529winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
4530 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
4531 are opened or closed and the current window is unchanged.
4532 Example: >
4533 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
4534 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
4535 :exe cmd
4536
4537winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
4538 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
4539 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
4540 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4541 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
4542 Examples: >
4543 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
4544 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
4545 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
4546 :endif
4547<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004548 *writefile()*
4549writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
4550 Write List {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
4551 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
4552 Number.
4553 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
4554 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
4555 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
4556 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
4557 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
4558 to writefile().
4559 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
4560 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
4561 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
4562 fails.
4563 Also see |readfile()|.
4564 To copy a file byte for byte: >
4565 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
4566 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
4567<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004568
4569 *feature-list*
4570There are three types of features:
45711. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
4572 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
4573 :if has("cindent")
45742. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
4575 Example: >
4576 :if has("gui_running")
4577< *has-patch*
45783. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
4579 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
4580 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
4581 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
4582
4583all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
4584amiga Amiga version of Vim.
4585arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
4586arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
4587autocmd Compiled with autocommands support.
4588balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00004589balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004590beos BeOS version of Vim.
4591browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
4592 work.
4593builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
4594byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
4595cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
4596clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
4597clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
4598cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
4599cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
4600cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
4601comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
4602cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
4603cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
4604compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
4605debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
4606dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
4607dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
4608diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
4609digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
4610dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
4611dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
4612dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
4613ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
4614emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
4615eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
4616 true, of course!
4617ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
4618extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
4619 |'hlsearch'|
4620farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
4621file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004622filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
4623 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004624find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
4625 |+find_in_path|.
4626fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
4627 Windows this is not present).
4628folding Compiled with |folding| support.
4629footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
4630fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
4631gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
4632gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
4633gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004634gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
4635gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00004636gui_kde Compiled with KDE GUI |KVim|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004637gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
4638gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
4639gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
4640gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
4641gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
4642gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
4643hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
4644iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
4645insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
4646 Insert mode.
4647jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
4648keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
4649langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
4650libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
4651linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
4652 support.
4653lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
4654listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
4655 and the argument list |arglist|.
4656localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
4657mac Macintosh version of Vim.
4658macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
4659menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
4660mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
4661modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
4662mouse Compiled with support mouse.
4663mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
4664mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
4665mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
4666mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
4667mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
4668mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
4669multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
4670multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
4671multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00004672mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004673netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00004674netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004675ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
4676os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
4677osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
4678path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
4679perl Compiled with Perl interface.
4680postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
4681printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004682profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004683python Compiled with Python interface.
4684qnx QNX version of Vim.
4685quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
4686rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
4687ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
4688scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
4689showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
4690signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
4691smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00004692sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004693statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
4694 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
4695sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00004696spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
4697syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004698syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
4699 current buffer.
4700system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
4701tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
4702 |tag-binary-search|.
4703tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
4704 |tag-old-static|.
4705tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
4706 files |tag-any-white|.
4707tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
4708terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
4709termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
4710textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
4711tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
4712 or terminfo file.
4713title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
4714toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
4715unix Unix version of Vim.
4716user_commands User-defined commands.
4717viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
4718vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
4719vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
4720virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
4721visual Compiled with Visual mode.
4722visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
4723 |blockwise-operators|.
4724vms VMS version of Vim.
4725vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
4726wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
4727wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
4728windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
4729winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
4730win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
4731win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
4732win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
4733win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
4734win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
4735writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
4736xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
4737xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
4738xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
4739xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
4740xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
4741xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
4742 xterm screen.
4743x11 Compiled with X11 support.
4744
4745 *string-match*
4746Matching a pattern in a String
4747
4748A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
4749the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
4750everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
4751like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
4752line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
4753with ".". Example: >
4754 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
4755 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
4756 aa
4757 xx
4758 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
4759 a
4760 x
4761
4762Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
4763"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
4764"\n".
4765
4766==============================================================================
47675. Defining functions *user-functions*
4768
4769New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
4770functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
4771commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
4772
4773The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
4774builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
4775avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
4776the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
4777
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004778It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
4779|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004780
4781 *local-function*
4782A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
4783can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
4784and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
4785function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
4786instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
4787
4788 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
4789:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
4790
4791:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004792 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4793 Funcref: >
4794 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004795
4796:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
4797 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
4798 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00004799<
4800 *:function-verbose*
4801When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
4802last defined. Example: >
4803
4804 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
4805 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
4806 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
4807<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00004808See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00004809
4810 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004811:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004812 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
4813 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
4814 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004815
4816 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4817 Funcref: >
4818 :function dict.init(arg)
4819< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
4820 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
4821 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
4822 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
4823 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
4824 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004825 *E127* *E122*
4826 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
4827 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
4828 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
4829 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004830
4831 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
4832
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004833 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
4834 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
4835 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
4836 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
4837 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
4838 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
4839 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004840
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004841 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
4842 abort as soon as an error is detected.
4843 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
4844 will not be changed by the function.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004845
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004846 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
4847 be invoked through an entry in a Dictionary. The
4848 local variable "self" will then be set to the
4849 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004850
4851 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
4852:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
4853 by its own, without other commands.
4854
4855 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
4856:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004857 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4858 Funcref: >
4859 :delfunc dict.init
4860< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
4861 function is deleted if there are no more references to
4862 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004863 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
4864:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
4865 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
4866 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
4867 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
4868 the number 0 is returned.
4869 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
4870 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
4871
4872 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
4873 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
4874 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
4875 are executed first. This process applies to all
4876 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
4877 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
4878
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004879 *function-argument* *a:var*
4880An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
4881be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
4882 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
4883Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
4884arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
4885may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
4886as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004887can be 0). "a:000" is set to a List that contains these arguments. Note that
4888"a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
4889 *E742*
4890The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
4891However, if a List or Dictionary is used, you can changes their contents.
4892Thus you can pass a List to a function and have the function add an item to
4893it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a List or Dictionary
4894use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004895
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004896When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
4897to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
4898may be larger.
4899
4900It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
4901still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
4902until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
4903inside a function body.
4904
4905 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004906Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
4907will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
4908accessed with "g:".
4909
4910Example: >
4911 :function Table(title, ...)
4912 : echohl Title
4913 : echo a:title
4914 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004915 : echo a:0 . " items:"
4916 : for s in a:000
4917 : echon ' ' . s
4918 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004919 :endfunction
4920
4921This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004922 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
4923 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004924
4925To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
4926 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
4927 : if a:n2 == 0
4928 : return "fail"
4929 : endif
4930 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
4931 : return "ok"
4932 :endfunction
4933
4934This function can then be called with: >
4935 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
4936 :if success == "ok"
4937 : echo div
4938 :endif
4939
4940An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
4941with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
4942 :function Foo()
4943 : execute Bar()
4944 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
4945 :endfunction
4946
4947 :function Bar()
4948 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
4949 :endfunction
4950
4951The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
4952the caller to set the names.
4953
4954 *:cal* *:call* *E107*
4955:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
4956 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
4957 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
4958 used.
4959 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
4960 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
4961 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
4962 function.
4963 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
4964 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
4965 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
4966 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
4967 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
4968 this works:
4969 *function-range-example* >
4970 :function Mynumber(arg)
4971 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
4972 :endfunction
4973 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
4974<
4975 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
4976 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
4977 the range.
4978
4979 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
4980
4981 :function Cont() range
4982 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
4983 :endfunction
4984 :4,8call Cont()
4985<
4986 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
4987 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
4988
4989 *E132*
4990The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
4991option.
4992
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004993
4994AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004995 *autoload-functions*
4996When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004997only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
4998the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
4999
5000
5001Using an autocommand ~
5002
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005003This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
5004
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005005The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
5006You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
5007That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
5008again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
5009
5010Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
5011function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005012
5013 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
5014
5015The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
5016"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
5017
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005018
5019Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005020 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005021This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
5022
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005023Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
5024exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
5025like this: >
5026
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005027 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005028
5029When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
5030"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
5031"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
5032then define the function like this: >
5033
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005034 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005035 echo "Done!"
5036 endfunction
5037
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00005038The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005039exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
5040called.
5041
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005042It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
5043a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005044
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005045 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005046
5047Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
5048
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005049This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
5050
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005051 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005052
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00005053However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
5054for an unknown variable.
5055
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005056When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
5057be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
5058
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005059 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
5060 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005061
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00005062Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
5063defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
5064function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005065And you will get an error message every time.
5066
5067Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
5068other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
5069Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005070
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005071==============================================================================
50726. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
5073
5074Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
5075This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
5076{} like this: >
5077 my_{adjective}_variable
5078
5079When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
5080that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
5081name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
5082"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
5083"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
5084
5085One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
5086value. For example, the statement >
5087 echo my_{&background}_message
5088
5089would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
5090on the current value of 'background'.
5091
5092You can use multiple brace pairs: >
5093 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
5094..or even nest them: >
5095 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
5096where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
5097
5098However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005099variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005100 :let foo='a + b'
5101 :echo c{foo}d
5102.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
5103
5104 *curly-braces-function-names*
5105You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
5106Example: >
5107 :let func_end='whizz'
5108 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
5109
5110This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
5111
5112==============================================================================
51137. Commands *expression-commands*
5114
5115:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
5116 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
5117 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
5118 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
5119 is created.
5120
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005121:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
5122 Set a list item to the result of the expression
5123 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
5124 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
5125 the index can be repeated.
5126 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
5127
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005128 *E711* *E719*
5129:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005130 Set a sequence of items in a List to the result of the
5131 expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
5132 correct number of items.
5133 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
5134 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
5135 When the selected range of items is partly past the
5136 end of the list, items will be added.
5137
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005138 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005139:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
5140:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
5141:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
5142 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
5143 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
5144
5145
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005146:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
5147 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
5148 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005149:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
5150 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
5151 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
5152 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005153
5154:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
5155 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
5156 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
5157 must be the name of a writable register (see
5158 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
5159 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
5160 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
5161 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
5162 characterwise.
5163 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
5164 :let @/ = ""
5165< This is different from searching for an empty string,
5166 that would match everywhere.
5167
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005168:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
5169 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
5170 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
5171
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005172:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
5173 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005174 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
5175 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005176 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
5177 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00005178 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005179 Example: >
5180 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005181
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005182:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
5183 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
5184 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
5185
5186:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
5187:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
5188 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
5189 {expr1}.
5190
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005191:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005192:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5193:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
5194:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005195 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
5196 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
5197
5198:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005199:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5200:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
5201:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005202 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
5203 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
5204
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005205:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005206 {expr1} must evaluate to a List. The first item in
5207 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
5208 {name2}, etc.
5209 The number of names must match the number of items in
5210 the List.
5211 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
5212 command as mentioned above.
5213 Example: >
5214 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005215< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
5216 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
5217 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
5218 :let x = [0, 1]
5219 :let i = 0
5220 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
5221 :echo x
5222< The result is [0, 2].
5223
5224:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
5225:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
5226:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
5227 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
5228 List item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005229
5230:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005231 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the List may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005232 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
5233 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
5234 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005235 Example: >
5236 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
5237<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005238:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
5239:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
5240:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
5241 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
5242 List item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005243 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005244:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005245 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
5246 here: *E738*
5247 g: global variables.
5248 b: local buffer variables.
5249 w: local window variables.
5250 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005251
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005252:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
5253 variable is indicated before the value:
5254 <nothing> String
5255 # Number
5256 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005257
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005258
5259:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
5260 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
5261 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
5262 may also be a List or Dictionary item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005263 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
5264 variables.
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005265 One or more items from a List can be removed: >
5266 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
5267 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
5268< One item from a Dictionary can be removed at a time: >
5269 :unlet dict['two']
5270 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005271
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005272:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
5273 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
5274 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
5275 A locked variable can be deleted: >
5276 :lockvar v
5277 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
5278 :unlet v
5279< *E741*
5280 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
5281 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
5282
5283 [depth] is relevant when locking a List or Dictionary.
5284 It specifies how deep the locking goes:
5285 1 Lock the List or Dictionary itself,
5286 cannot add or remove items, but can
5287 still change their values.
5288 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
5289 the items. If an item is a List or
5290 Dictionary, cannot add or remove
5291 items, but can still change the
5292 values.
5293 3 Like 2 but for the List/Dictionary in
5294 the List/Dictionary, one level deeper.
5295 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a List
5296 or Dictionary the values cannot be changed.
5297 *E743*
5298 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
5299 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
5300 loops.
5301
5302 Note that when two variables refer to the same List
5303 and you lock one of them, the List will also be locked
5304 when used through the other variable. Example: >
5305 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
5306 :let cl = l
5307 :lockvar l
5308 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
5309< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
5310 See |deepcopy()|.
5311
5312
5313:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
5314 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
5315 opposite of |:lockvar|.
5316
5317
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005318:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
5319:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5320 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5321
5322 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
5323 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
5324 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
5325 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
5326 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
5327 part was not executed either.
5328
5329 You can use this to remain compatible with older
5330 versions: >
5331 :if version >= 500
5332 : version-5-specific-commands
5333 :endif
5334< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
5335 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
5336 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
5337 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
5338 avoid problems: >
5339 :if version >= 600
5340 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
5341 :endif
5342<
5343 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
5344 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
5345
5346 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
5347:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5348 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
5349 executed.
5350
5351 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
5352:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
5353 is no extra ":endif".
5354
5355:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005356 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005357:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
5358 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5359 When an error is detected from a command inside the
5360 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005361 Example: >
5362 :let lnum = 1
5363 :while lnum <= line("$")
5364 :call FixLine(lnum)
5365 :let lnum = lnum + 1
5366 :endwhile
5367<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005368 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005369 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005370
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005371:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005372:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
5373 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005374 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005375 value of each item.
5376 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005377 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00005378 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
5379 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005380 :for item in copy(mylist)
5381< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
5382 next item in the list, before executing the commands
5383 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
5384 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
5385 it will not be found. Thus the following example
5386 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
5387 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005388 :call remove(mylist, 0)
5389 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005390< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
5391 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
5392 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005393 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
5394 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
5395 to allow multiple item types.
5396
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005397:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
5398:endfo[r]
5399 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
5400 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
5401 {var2}, etc. Example: >
5402 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
5403 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
5404 :endfor
5405<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005406 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005407:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
5408 to the start of the loop.
5409 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5410 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5411 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5412 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5413 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5414 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005415
5416 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005417:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
5418 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
5419 ":endfor".
5420 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5421 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5422 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5423 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5424 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5425 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005426
5427:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
5428:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
5429 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
5430 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
5431 or autocommand invocations.
5432
5433 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
5434 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
5435 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
5436 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
5437 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
5438 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
5439 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
5440 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
5441 Example: >
5442 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
5443 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
5444<
5445 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
5446 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
5447 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
5448 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
5449 processing is not terminated.
5450
5451 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
5452 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
5453 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
5454 other errors are converted to a value of the form
5455 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
5456 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
5457 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
5458 the error number.
5459 Examples: >
5460 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
5461 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
5462<
5463 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
5464:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
5465 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
5466 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
5467 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
5468 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
5469 commands are skipped.
5470 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
5471 Examples: >
5472 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
5473 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
5474 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
5475 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
5476 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
5477 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
5478 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
5479 :catch " same as /.*/
5480<
5481 Another character can be used instead of / around the
5482 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
5483 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
5484 {pattern}.
5485 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
5486 an error message because it may vary in different
5487 locales.
5488
5489 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
5490:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
5491 are executed whenever the part between the matching
5492 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
5493 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
5494 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
5495 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
5496
5497 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
5498:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
5499 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
5500 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
5501 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
5502 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
5503 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
5504 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
5505 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
5506 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
5507 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
5508 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
5509 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
5510 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
5511 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
5512 is terminated.
5513 Example: >
5514 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
5515<
5516
5517 *:ec* *:echo*
5518:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
5519 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
5520 Also see |:comment|.
5521 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
5522 cursor to the first column.
5523 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5524 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5525 Example: >
5526 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
5527< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
5528 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
5529 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
5530 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
5531 command. Example: >
5532 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
5533<
5534 *:echon*
5535:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
5536 |:comment|.
5537 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5538 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5539 Example: >
5540 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
5541<
5542 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
5543 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
5544 command: >
5545 :!echo % --> filename
5546< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
5547 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
5548< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
5549 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
5550 :echo % --> nothing
5551< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
5552 :echo "%" --> %
5553< This just echoes the '%' character. >
5554 :echo expand("%") --> filename
5555< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
5556
5557 *:echoh* *:echohl*
5558:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
5559 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
5560 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
5561 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
5562< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
5563 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
5564
5565 *:echom* *:echomsg*
5566:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
5567 message in the |message-history|.
5568 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5569 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
5570 displayed, not interpreted.
5571 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5572 Example: >
5573 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
5574<
5575 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
5576:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
5577 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
5578 script or function the line number will be added.
5579 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5580 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
5581 the message is raised as an error exception instead
5582 (see |try-echoerr|).
5583 Example: >
5584 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
5585< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
5586 And to get a beep: >
5587 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
5588<
5589 *:exe* *:execute*
5590:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
5591 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
5592 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
5593 used as the processed command, command line editing
5594 keys are not recognized.
5595 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5596 Examples: >
5597 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
5598 :execute "normal " count . "w"
5599<
5600 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
5601 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
5602 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
5603
5604< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
5605 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
5606 command: >
5607 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
5608< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
5609
5610 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005611 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
5612 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005613 :execute 'while i > 5'
5614 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
5615<
5616 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
5617 completely in the executed string: >
5618 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
5619<
5620
5621 *:comment*
5622 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
5623 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
5624 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
5625 comment. Example: >
5626 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
5627
5628==============================================================================
56298. Exception handling *exception-handling*
5630
5631The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
5632explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
5633
5634Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
5635|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
5636exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
5637
5638
5639TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
5640
5641Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
5642use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
5643a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
5644 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
5645|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
5646a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
5647be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
5648which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
5649clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
5650
5651 :try
5652 : ...
5653 : ... TRY BLOCK
5654 : ...
5655 :catch /{pattern}/
5656 : ...
5657 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5658 : ...
5659 :catch /{pattern}/
5660 : ...
5661 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5662 : ...
5663 :finally
5664 : ...
5665 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
5666 : ...
5667 :endtry
5668
5669The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
5670appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
5671from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
5672 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
5673is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
5674script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
5675 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
5676lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
5677patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
5678after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
5679executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
5680":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
5681(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
5682continues in the following line as usual.
5683 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
5684":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
5685that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
5686finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
5687the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
5688the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
5689see |try-nesting|.
5690 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
5691remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
5692not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
5693try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
5694a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
5695execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
5696exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5697 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
5698thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
5699clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
5700catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
5701following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
5702clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5703
5704The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
5705a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
5706try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
5707from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
5708sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
5709":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
5710":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
5711from the finally clause.
5712 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
5713try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
5714clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
5715":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
5716clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
5717":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
5718this pending exception or command is discarded.
5719
5720For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
5721
5722
5723NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
5724
5725Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
5726conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
5727clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
5728catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
5729of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
5730checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
5731try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
5732otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
5733nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
5734one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
5735the inner try conditional.
5736
5737When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
5738finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
5739An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
5740thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
5741implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
5742as usual.
5743
5744For examples see |throw-catch|.
5745
5746
5747EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
5748
5749Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
5750'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
5751script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
5752finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
5753a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
5754(see |debug-scripts|).
5755
5756
5757THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
5758
5759You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
5760and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
5761 :throw 4711
5762 :throw "string"
5763< *throw-expression*
5764You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
5765first, and the result is thrown: >
5766 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
5767 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
5768
5769An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
5770command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
5771The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
5772 Example: >
5773
5774 :function! Foo(arg)
5775 : try
5776 : throw a:arg
5777 : catch /foo/
5778 : endtry
5779 : return 1
5780 :endfunction
5781 :
5782 :function! Bar()
5783 : echo "in Bar"
5784 : return 4710
5785 :endfunction
5786 :
5787 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
5788
5789This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
5790executed. >
5791 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
5792however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
5793
5794Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
5795abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
5796exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
5797 Example: >
5798
5799 :if Foo("arrgh")
5800 : echo "then"
5801 :else
5802 : echo "else"
5803 :endif
5804
5805Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
5806
5807 *catch-order*
5808Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
5809commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
5810command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
5811gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
5812 Example: >
5813
5814 :function! Foo(value)
5815 : try
5816 : throw a:value
5817 : catch /^\d\+$/
5818 : echo "Number thrown"
5819 : catch /.*/
5820 : echo "String thrown"
5821 : endtry
5822 :endfunction
5823 :
5824 :call Foo(0x1267)
5825 :call Foo('string')
5826
5827The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
5828An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
5829specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
5830specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
5831
5832 : catch /.*/
5833 : echo "String thrown"
5834 : catch /^\d\+$/
5835 : echo "Number thrown"
5836
5837The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
5838never taken.
5839
5840 *throw-variables*
5841If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
5842in the variable |v:exception|: >
5843
5844 : catch /^\d\+$/
5845 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
5846
5847You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
5848|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
5849exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
5850 Example: >
5851
5852 :function! Caught()
5853 : if v:exception != ""
5854 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
5855 : else
5856 : echo 'Nothing caught'
5857 : endif
5858 :endfunction
5859 :
5860 :function! Foo()
5861 : try
5862 : try
5863 : try
5864 : throw 4711
5865 : finally
5866 : call Caught()
5867 : endtry
5868 : catch /.*/
5869 : call Caught()
5870 : throw "oops"
5871 : endtry
5872 : catch /.*/
5873 : call Caught()
5874 : finally
5875 : call Caught()
5876 : endtry
5877 :endfunction
5878 :
5879 :call Foo()
5880
5881This displays >
5882
5883 Nothing caught
5884 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
5885 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
5886 Nothing caught
5887
5888A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
5889number in the script or function where it has been used: >
5890
5891 :function! LineNumber()
5892 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
5893 :endfunction
5894 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
5895<
5896 *try-nested*
5897An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
5898a surrounding try conditional: >
5899
5900 :try
5901 : try
5902 : throw "foo"
5903 : catch /foobar/
5904 : echo "foobar"
5905 : finally
5906 : echo "inner finally"
5907 : endtry
5908 :catch /foo/
5909 : echo "foo"
5910 :endtry
5911
5912The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
5913clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
5914conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
5915
5916 *throw-from-catch*
5917You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
5918catch clause: >
5919
5920 :function! Foo()
5921 : throw "foo"
5922 :endfunction
5923 :
5924 :function! Bar()
5925 : try
5926 : call Foo()
5927 : catch /foo/
5928 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
5929 : throw "bar"
5930 : endtry
5931 :endfunction
5932 :
5933 :try
5934 : call Bar()
5935 :catch /.*/
5936 : echo "Caught" v:exception
5937 :endtry
5938
5939This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
5940
5941 *rethrow*
5942There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
5943"v:exception" instead: >
5944
5945 :function! Bar()
5946 : try
5947 : call Foo()
5948 : catch /.*/
5949 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
5950 : throw v:exception
5951 : endtry
5952 :endfunction
5953< *try-echoerr*
5954Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
5955exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
5956Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
5957denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
5958the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
5959
5960 :try
5961 : try
5962 : asdf
5963 : catch /.*/
5964 : echoerr v:exception
5965 : endtry
5966 :catch /.*/
5967 : echo v:exception
5968 :endtry
5969
5970This code displays
5971
5972 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
5973
5974
5975CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
5976
5977Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
5978user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
5979an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
5980a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
5981catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
5982a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
5983normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
5984(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
5985to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
5986clause has been executed.)
5987Example: >
5988
5989 :try
5990 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
5991 : set ts=17
5992 :
5993 : " Do the hard work here.
5994 :
5995 :finally
5996 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
5997 : unlet s:saved_ts
5998 :endtry
5999
6000This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
6001changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
6002that function or script part.
6003
6004 *break-finally*
6005Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
6006a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
6007 Example: >
6008
6009 :let first = 1
6010 :while 1
6011 : try
6012 : if first
6013 : echo "first"
6014 : let first = 0
6015 : continue
6016 : else
6017 : throw "second"
6018 : endif
6019 : catch /.*/
6020 : echo v:exception
6021 : break
6022 : finally
6023 : echo "cleanup"
6024 : endtry
6025 : echo "still in while"
6026 :endwhile
6027 :echo "end"
6028
6029This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
6030
6031 :function! Foo()
6032 : try
6033 : return 4711
6034 : finally
6035 : echo "cleanup\n"
6036 : endtry
6037 : echo "Foo still active"
6038 :endfunction
6039 :
6040 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
6041
6042This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
6043extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
6044return value.)
6045
6046 *except-from-finally*
6047Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
6048a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
6049cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
6050exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
6051 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
6052working correctly: >
6053
6054 :try
6055 : try
6056 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
6057 : while 1
6058 : endwhile
6059 : finally
6060 : unlet novar
6061 : endtry
6062 :catch /novar/
6063 :endtry
6064 :echo "Script still running"
6065 :sleep 1
6066
6067If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
6068think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
6069|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
6070
6071
6072CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
6073
6074If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
6075watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
6076presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
6077exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
6078the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
6079the error exception is.
6080 Error exceptions have the following format: >
6081
6082 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
6083or >
6084 Vim:{errmsg}
6085
6086{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
6087the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
6088when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
6089a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
6090a space.
6091
6092Examples:
6093
6094The command >
6095 :unlet novar
6096normally produces the error message >
6097 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6098which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6099 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
6100
6101The command >
6102 :dwim
6103normally produces the error message >
6104 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6105which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6106 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6107
6108You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
6109 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
6110or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
6111 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
6112
6113Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
6114 :function nofunc
6115and >
6116 :delfunction nofunc
6117both produce the error message >
6118 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6119which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6120 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6121or >
6122 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6123respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
6124command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
6125 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
6126
6127Some commands like >
6128 :let x = novar
6129produce multiple error messages, here: >
6130 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6131 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6132Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
6133one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
6134 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
6135
6136You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
6137 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
6138
6139You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
6140 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
6141
6142You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
6143 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
6144<
6145 *catch-text*
6146NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
6147 :catch /No such variable/
6148only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
6149a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
6150cite the message text in a comment: >
6151 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
6152
6153
6154IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
6155
6156You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
6157
6158 :try
6159 : write
6160 :catch
6161 :endtry
6162
6163But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
6164catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
6165be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
6166
6167 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
6168
6169There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
6170writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
6171then hide the error from the user.
6172 It is much better to use >
6173
6174 :try
6175 : write
6176 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6177 :endtry
6178
6179which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
6180intentionally.
6181
6182For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
6183even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
6184command: >
6185 :silent! nunmap k
6186This works also when a try conditional is active.
6187
6188
6189CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
6190
6191When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
6192the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
6193script is not terminated, then.
6194 Example: >
6195
6196 :function! TASK1()
6197 : sleep 10
6198 :endfunction
6199
6200 :function! TASK2()
6201 : sleep 20
6202 :endfunction
6203
6204 :while 1
6205 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
6206 : try
6207 : if command == ""
6208 : continue
6209 : elseif command == "END"
6210 : break
6211 : elseif command == "TASK1"
6212 : call TASK1()
6213 : elseif command == "TASK2"
6214 : call TASK2()
6215 : else
6216 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
6217 : continue
6218 : endif
6219 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6220 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
6221 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
6222 : endtry
6223 :endwhile
6224
6225You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
6226a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
6227
6228For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
6229your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
6230command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
6231
6232
6233CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
6234
6235The commands >
6236
6237 :catch /.*/
6238 :catch //
6239 :catch
6240
6241catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
6242explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
6243a script in order to catch unexpected things.
6244 Example: >
6245
6246 :try
6247 :
6248 : " do the hard work here
6249 :
6250 :catch /MyException/
6251 :
6252 : " handle known problem
6253 :
6254 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6255 : echo "Script interrupted"
6256 :catch /.*/
6257 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
6258 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
6259 :endtry
6260 :" end of script
6261
6262Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
6263strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
6264specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
6265 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
6266by pressing CTRL-C: >
6267
6268 :while 1
6269 : try
6270 : sleep 1
6271 : catch
6272 : endtry
6273 :endwhile
6274
6275
6276EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
6277
6278Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
6279
6280 :autocmd User x try
6281 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
6282 :autocmd User x catch
6283 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
6284 :autocmd User x endtry
6285 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
6286 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
6287 :
6288 :try
6289 : doautocmd User x
6290 :catch
6291 : echo v:exception
6292 :endtry
6293
6294This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
6295
6296 *except-autocmd-Pre*
6297For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
6298command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
6299of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
6300abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
6301 Example: >
6302
6303 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
6304 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
6305 :
6306 :try
6307 : write
6308 :catch
6309 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
6310 :endtry
6311
6312Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
6313you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
6314autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
6315script displays: >
6316
6317 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
6318<
6319 *except-autocmd-Post*
6320For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
6321command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
6322an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
6323is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
6324 Example: >
6325
6326 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
6327 :
6328 :try
6329 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6330 :catch
6331 : echo v:exception
6332 :endtry
6333
6334This just displays: >
6335
6336 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
6337
6338If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
6339fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
6340 Example: >
6341
6342 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
6343 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
6344 :
6345 :try
6346 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6347 :catch
6348 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6349 :endtry
6350<
6351You can also use ":silent!": >
6352
6353 :let x = "ok"
6354 :let v:errmsg = ""
6355 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
6356 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
6357 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
6358 :try
6359 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6360 :catch
6361 :endtry
6362 :echo x
6363
6364This displays "after fail".
6365
6366If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
6367autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
6368
6369 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
6370 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
6371 :
6372 :try
6373 : write
6374 :catch
6375 : echo v:exception
6376 :endtry
6377<
6378 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
6379For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
6380autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
6381of the command.
6382 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
6383had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
6384some way. >
6385
6386 :if !exists("cnt")
6387 : let cnt = 0
6388 :
6389 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
6390 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
6391 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
6392 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6393 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6394 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
6395 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
6396 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6397 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6398 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
6399 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6400 :endif
6401 :
6402 :try
6403 : write
6404 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
6405 : if &modified
6406 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
6407 : else
6408 : echo "Error after writing"
6409 : endif
6410 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6411 : echo "Error on writing"
6412 :endtry
6413
6414When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
6415first >
6416 File successfully written!
6417then >
6418 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
6419then >
6420 Error after writing
6421etc.
6422
6423 *except-autocmd-ill*
6424You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
6425The following code is ill-formed: >
6426
6427 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
6428 :
6429 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
6430 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
6431 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
6432 :
6433 :write
6434
6435
6436EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
6437
6438Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
6439pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
6440similar things in Vim.
6441 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
6442class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
6443string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
6444 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
6445it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
6446for an error when writing "myfile".
6447 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
6448base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
6449parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
6450 Example: >
6451
6452 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
6453 : if a:a < 0
6454 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
6455 : endif
6456 :endfunction
6457 :
6458 :function! Add(a, b)
6459 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
6460 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
6461 : let c = a:a + a:b
6462 : if c < 0
6463 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
6464 : endif
6465 : return c
6466 :endfunction
6467 :
6468 :function! Div(a, b)
6469 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
6470 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
6471 : if (a:b == 0)
6472 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
6473 : endif
6474 : return a:a / a:b
6475 :endfunction
6476 :
6477 :function! Write(file)
6478 : try
6479 : execute "write" a:file
6480 : catch /^Vim(write):/
6481 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
6482 : endtry
6483 :endfunction
6484 :
6485 :try
6486 :
6487 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
6488 :
6489 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
6490 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6491 : echo "Range error in" function
6492 :
6493 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
6494 : echo "Math error"
6495 :
6496 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
6497 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
6498 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6499 : if file !~ '^/'
6500 : let file = dir . "/" . file
6501 : endif
6502 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
6503 :
6504 :catch /^EXCEPT/
6505 : echo "Unspecified error"
6506 :
6507 :endtry
6508
6509The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
6510a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
6511exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
6512 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
6513failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
6514
6515
6516PECULIARITIES
6517 *except-compat*
6518The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
6519exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
6520and/or a catch clause.
6521
6522In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
6523continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
6524after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
6525functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
6526or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
6527(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
6528
6529This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
6530immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
6531conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
6532be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
6533termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
6534catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
6535by specifying a finally clause.)
6536
6537When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
6538behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
6539scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
6540
6541However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
6542commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
6543conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
6544script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
6545error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
6546messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
6547|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
6548not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
6549where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
6550error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
6551scripts.
6552
6553 *except-syntax-err*
6554Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
6555the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
6556clauses, however, is executed.
6557 Example: >
6558
6559 :try
6560 : try
6561 : throw 4711
6562 : catch /\(/
6563 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
6564 : catch
6565 : echo "inner catch-all"
6566 : finally
6567 : echo "inner finally"
6568 : endtry
6569 :catch
6570 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
6571 : finally
6572 : echo "outer finally"
6573 :endtry
6574
6575This displays: >
6576 inner finally
6577 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
6578 outer finally
6579The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
6580
6581 *except-single-line*
6582The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
6583a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
6584"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
6585 Example: >
6586 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
6587raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
6588argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
6589error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
6590displayed.
6591
6592 *except-several-errors*
6593When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
6594usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
6595 Example: >
6596 echo novar
6597causes >
6598 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6599 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6600The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6601 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
6602< *except-syntax-error*
6603But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
6604the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
6605 Example: >
6606 unlet novar #
6607causes >
6608 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6609 E488: Trailing characters
6610The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6611 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
6612This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
6613not intended by the user. Example: >
6614 try
6615 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
6616 catch /.*/
6617 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
6618 endtry
6619This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
6620a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
6621
6622==============================================================================
66239. Examples *eval-examples*
6624
6625Printing in Hex ~
6626>
6627 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
6628 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
6629 : let n = a:nr
6630 : let r = ""
6631 : while n
6632 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
6633 : let n = n / 16
6634 : endwhile
6635 : return r
6636 :endfunc
6637
6638 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
6639 :" character Hex string.
6640 :func String2Hex(str)
6641 : let out = ''
6642 : let ix = 0
6643 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
6644 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
6645 : let ix = ix + 1
6646 : endwhile
6647 : return out
6648 :endfunc
6649
6650Example of its use: >
6651 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
6652result: "20" >
6653 :echo String2Hex("32")
6654result: "3332"
6655
6656
6657Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
6658
6659Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
6660":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
6661platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
6662function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
6663with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
6664>
6665 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
6666 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
6667 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
6668 : return -1
6669 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
6670 : return 1
6671 : else
6672 : return 0
6673 : endif
6674 :endfunction
6675
6676 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
6677 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
6678 : if (a:start >= a:end)
6679 : return
6680 : endif
6681 : let partition = a:start - 1
6682 : let middle = partition
6683 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
6684 : let i = a:start
6685 : while (i <= a:end)
6686 : let str = getline(i)
6687 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
6688 : if (result <= 0)
6689 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
6690 : let partition = partition + 1
6691 : if (result == 0)
6692 : let middle = partition
6693 : endif
6694 : if (i != partition)
6695 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6696 : call setline(i, str2)
6697 : call setline(partition, str)
6698 : endif
6699 : endif
6700 : let i = i + 1
6701 : endwhile
6702
6703 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
6704 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
6705 : " the end of the partition.
6706 : if (middle != partition)
6707 : let str = getline(middle)
6708 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6709 : call setline(middle, str2)
6710 : call setline(partition, str)
6711 : endif
6712 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
6713 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
6714 :endfunc
6715
6716 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
6717 :" function that will compare two lines.
6718 :func! Sort(cmp) range
6719 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
6720 :endfunc
6721
6722 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
6723 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
6724<
6725 *sscanf*
6726There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
6727line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
6728how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
6729"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
6730 :" Set up the match bit
6731 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
6732 :"get the part matching the whole expression
6733 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
6734 :"get each item out of the match
6735 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
6736 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
6737 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
6738
6739The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
6740"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
6741
6742==============================================================================
674310. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
6744
6745When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
6746evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
6747to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
6748recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
6749and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
6750only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
6751recognized.
6752
6753Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
6754missing: >
6755
6756 :if 1
6757 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
6758 :else
6759 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
6760 :endif
6761
6762==============================================================================
676311. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
6764
6765The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
6766options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
6767these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
6768these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
6769a tags file is executed.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006770The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006771
6772These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
6773 - changing the buffer text
6774 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
6775 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
6776 - executing a shell command
6777 - reading or writing a file
6778 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006779This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
6780
6781 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00006782:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006783 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
6784 'foldexpr'.
6785
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006786
6787 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: