blob: 30be59cf492d9ef475d989eeb72e595cb701d73f [file] [log] [blame]
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +01001*repeat.txt* For Vim version 7.4. Last change: 2016 Mar 07
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Repeating commands, Vim scripts and debugging *repeating*
8
9Chapter 26 of the user manual introduces repeating |usr_26.txt|.
10
111. Single repeats |single-repeat|
122. Multiple repeats |multi-repeat|
133. Complex repeats |complex-repeat|
144. Using Vim scripts |using-scripts|
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100155. Using Vim packages |packages|
166. Debugging scripts |debug-scripts|
177. Profiling |profiling|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000018
19==============================================================================
201. Single repeats *single-repeat*
21
22 *.*
23. Repeat last change, with count replaced with [count].
24 Also repeat a yank command, when the 'y' flag is
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +000025 included in 'cpoptions'. Does not repeat a
26 command-line command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000027
28Simple changes can be repeated with the "." command. Without a count, the
29count of the last change is used. If you enter a count, it will replace the
Bram Moolenaar92dff182014-02-11 19:15:50 +010030last one. |v:count| and |v:count1| will be set.
31
32If the last change included a specification of a numbered register, the
33register number will be incremented. See |redo-register| for an example how
34to use this.
35
36Note that when repeating a command that used a Visual selection, the same SIZE
37of area is used, see |visual-repeat|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000038
39 *@:*
40@: Repeat last command-line [count] times.
41 {not available when compiled without the
42 |+cmdline_hist| feature}
43
44
45==============================================================================
462. Multiple repeats *multi-repeat*
47
48 *:g* *:global* *E147* *E148*
49:[range]g[lobal]/{pattern}/[cmd]
50 Execute the Ex command [cmd] (default ":p") on the
51 lines within [range] where {pattern} matches.
52
53:[range]g[lobal]!/{pattern}/[cmd]
54 Execute the Ex command [cmd] (default ":p") on the
55 lines within [range] where {pattern} does NOT match.
56
57 *:v* *:vglobal*
58:[range]v[global]/{pattern}/[cmd]
59 Same as :g!.
60
Bram Moolenaarc81e5e72007-05-05 18:24:42 +000061Instead of the '/' which surrounds the {pattern}, you can use any other
Bram Moolenaare2db6952013-07-24 19:53:36 +020062single byte character, but not an alphabetic character, '\', '"' or '|'.
Bram Moolenaarc81e5e72007-05-05 18:24:42 +000063This is useful if you want to include a '/' in the search pattern or
64replacement string.
65
66For the definition of a pattern, see |pattern|.
67
Bram Moolenaar32efaf62014-11-05 17:02:17 +010068NOTE [cmd] may contain a range; see |collapse| and |edit-paragraph-join| for
69examples.
70
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000071The global commands work by first scanning through the [range] lines and
72marking each line where a match occurs (for a multi-line pattern, only the
73start of the match matters).
74In a second scan the [cmd] is executed for each marked line with its line
75number prepended. For ":v" and ":g!" the command is executed for each not
76marked line. If a line is deleted its mark disappears.
77The default for [range] is the whole buffer (1,$). Use "CTRL-C" to interrupt
78the command. If an error message is given for a line, the command for that
79line is aborted and the global command continues with the next marked or
80unmarked line.
81
82To repeat a non-Ex command, you can use the ":normal" command: >
83 :g/pat/normal {commands}
84Make sure that {commands} ends with a whole command, otherwise Vim will wait
85for you to type the rest of the command for each match. The screen will not
86have been updated, so you don't know what you are doing. See |:normal|.
87
88The undo/redo command will undo/redo the whole global command at once.
89The previous context mark will only be set once (with "''" you go back to
90where the cursor was before the global command).
91
92The global command sets both the last used search pattern and the last used
93substitute pattern (this is vi compatible). This makes it easy to globally
94replace a string:
95 :g/pat/s//PAT/g
96This replaces all occurrences of "pat" with "PAT". The same can be done with:
97 :%s/pat/PAT/g
98Which is two characters shorter!
99
Bram Moolenaar864207d2008-06-24 22:14:38 +0000100When using "global" in Ex mode, a special case is using ":visual" as a
101command. This will move to a matching line, go to Normal mode to let you
102execute commands there until you use |Q| to return to Ex mode. This will be
103repeated for each matching line. While doing this you cannot use ":global".
104To abort this type CTRL-C twice.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +0000105
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000106==============================================================================
1073. Complex repeats *complex-repeat*
108
109 *q* *recording*
110q{0-9a-zA-Z"} Record typed characters into register {0-9a-zA-Z"}
111 (uppercase to append). The 'q' command is disabled
112 while executing a register, and it doesn't work inside
Bram Moolenaara0ed84a2015-11-19 17:56:13 +0100113 a mapping and |:normal|.
114
115 Note: If the register being used for recording is also
116 used for |y| and |p| the result is most likely not
117 what is expected, because the put will paste the
118 recorded macro and the yank will overwrite the
119 recorded macro. {Vi: no recording}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000120
121q Stops recording. (Implementation note: The 'q' that
122 stops recording is not stored in the register, unless
123 it was the result of a mapping) {Vi: no recording}
124
125 *@*
Bram Moolenaar61d35bd2012-03-28 20:51:51 +0200126@{0-9a-z".=*+} Execute the contents of register {0-9a-z".=*+} [count]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000127 times. Note that register '%' (name of the current
128 file) and '#' (name of the alternate file) cannot be
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +0100129 used.
130 The register is executed like a mapping, that means
131 that the difference between 'wildchar' and 'wildcharm'
132 applies.
133 For "@=" you are prompted to enter an expression. The
134 result of the expression is then executed.
135 See also |@:|. {Vi: only named registers}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000136
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +0000137 *@@* *E748*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000138@@ Repeat the previous @{0-9a-z":*} [count] times.
139
Bram Moolenaar61d35bd2012-03-28 20:51:51 +0200140:[addr]*{0-9a-z".=+} *:@* *:star*
141:[addr]@{0-9a-z".=*+} Execute the contents of register {0-9a-z".=*+} as an Ex
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000142 command. First set cursor at line [addr] (default is
143 current line). When the last line in the register does
144 not have a <CR> it will be added automatically when
145 the 'e' flag is present in 'cpoptions'.
146 Note that the ":*" command is only recognized when the
147 '*' flag is present in 'cpoptions'. This is NOT the
148 default when 'nocompatible' is used.
149 For ":@=" the last used expression is used. The
150 result of evaluating the expression is executed as an
151 Ex command.
152 Mappings are not recognized in these commands.
153 {Vi: only in some versions} Future: Will execute the
154 register for each line in the address range.
155
156 *:@:*
157:[addr]@: Repeat last command-line. First set cursor at line
158 [addr] (default is current line). {not in Vi}
159
160 *:@@*
161:[addr]@@ Repeat the previous :@{0-9a-z"}. First set cursor at
162 line [addr] (default is current line). {Vi: only in
163 some versions}
164
165==============================================================================
1664. Using Vim scripts *using-scripts*
167
168For writing a Vim script, see chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
169
170 *:so* *:source* *load-vim-script*
171:so[urce] {file} Read Ex commands from {file}. These are commands that
172 start with a ":".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000173 Triggers the |SourcePre| autocommand.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000174
175:so[urce]! {file} Read Vim commands from {file}. These are commands
176 that are executed from Normal mode, like you type
177 them.
178 When used after |:global|, |:argdo|, |:windo|,
179 |:bufdo|, in a loop or when another command follows
180 the display won't be updated while executing the
181 commands.
182 {not in Vi}
183
184 *:ru* *:runtime*
185:ru[ntime][!] {file} ..
186 Read Ex commands from {file} in each directory given
187 by 'runtimepath'. There is no error for non-existing
188 files. Example: >
189 :runtime syntax/c.vim
190
191< There can be multiple {file} arguments, separated by
192 spaces. Each {file} is searched for in the first
193 directory from 'runtimepath', then in the second
194 directory, etc. Use a backslash to include a space
195 inside {file} (although it's better not to use spaces
196 in file names, it causes trouble).
197
198 When [!] is included, all found files are sourced.
199 When it is not included only the first found file is
200 sourced.
201
202 When {file} contains wildcards it is expanded to all
203 matching files. Example: >
204 :runtime! plugin/*.vim
205< This is what Vim uses to load the plugin files when
Bram Moolenaar13fcaaf2005-04-15 21:13:42 +0000206 starting up. This similar command: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000207 :runtime plugin/*.vim
208< would source the first file only.
209
210 When 'verbose' is one or higher, there is a message
211 when no file could be found.
212 When 'verbose' is two or higher, there is a message
213 about each searched file.
214 {not in Vi}
215
Bram Moolenaarbe82c252016-03-06 14:44:08 +0100216 *:pa* *:packadd* *E919*
Bram Moolenaar328da0d2016-03-04 22:22:32 +0100217:pa[ckadd][!] {name} Search for an optional plugin directory in 'packpath'
218 and source any plugin files found. The directory must
219 match:
220 pack/*/opt/{name} ~
221 The directory is added to 'runtimepath' if it wasn't
222 there yet.
Bram Moolenaardae8d212016-02-27 22:40:16 +0100223
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100224 Note that {name} is the directory name, not the name
225 of the .vim file. If the "{name}/plugin" directory
226 contains more than one file they are all sourced.
227
Bram Moolenaar328da0d2016-03-04 22:22:32 +0100228 If the filetype detection was not enabled yet (this
229 is usually done with a "syntax enable" or "filetype
230 on" command in your .vimrc file), this will also look
231 for "{name}/ftdetect/*.vim" files.
232
233 When the optional ! is added no plugin files or
234 ftdetect scripts are loaded, only the matching
235 directories are added to 'runtimepath'. This is
236 useful in your .vimrc. The plugins will then be
237 loaded during initialization, see |load-plugins|.
238
239 Also see |pack-add|.
240
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100241
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000242:scripte[ncoding] [encoding] *:scripte* *:scriptencoding* *E167*
243 Specify the character encoding used in the script.
244 The following lines will be converted from [encoding]
245 to the value of the 'encoding' option, if they are
246 different. Examples: >
247 scriptencoding iso-8859-5
248 scriptencoding cp932
249<
250 When [encoding] is empty, no conversion is done. This
251 can be used to restrict conversion to a sequence of
252 lines: >
253 scriptencoding euc-jp
254 ... lines to be converted ...
255 scriptencoding
256 ... not converted ...
257
258< When conversion isn't supported by the system, there
259 is no error message and no conversion is done.
260
261 Don't use "ucs-2" or "ucs-4", scripts cannot be in
262 these encodings (they would contain NUL bytes).
263 When a sourced script starts with a BOM (Byte Order
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +0200264 Mark) in utf-8 format Vim will recognize it, no need
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000265 to use ":scriptencoding utf-8" then.
266
267 When compiled without the |+multi_byte| feature this
268 command is ignored.
269 {not in Vi}
270
Bram Moolenaar8feef4f2015-01-07 16:57:10 +0100271 *:scr* *:scriptnames*
272:scr[iptnames] List all sourced script names, in the order they were
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000273 first sourced. The number is used for the script ID
274 |<SID>|.
275 {not in Vi} {not available when compiled without the
276 |+eval| feature}
277
278 *:fini* *:finish* *E168*
279:fini[sh] Stop sourcing a script. Can only be used in a Vim
280 script file. This is a quick way to skip the rest of
281 the file. If it is used after a |:try| but before the
282 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
283 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
284 are executed first. This process applies to all
285 nested ":try"s in the script. The outermost ":endtry"
286 then stops sourcing the script. {not in Vi}
287
288All commands and command sequences can be repeated by putting them in a named
289register and then executing it. There are two ways to get the commands in the
290register:
291- Use the record command "q". You type the commands once, and while they are
292 being executed they are stored in a register. Easy, because you can see
293 what you are doing. If you make a mistake, "p"ut the register into the
294 file, edit the command sequence, and then delete it into the register
295 again. You can continue recording by appending to the register (use an
296 uppercase letter).
297- Delete or yank the command sequence into the register.
298
299Often used command sequences can be put under a function key with the ':map'
300command.
301
302An alternative is to put the commands in a file, and execute them with the
303':source!' command. Useful for long command sequences. Can be combined with
304the ':map' command to put complicated commands under a function key.
305
306The ':source' command reads Ex commands from a file line by line. You will
307have to type any needed keyboard input. The ':source!' command reads from a
308script file character by character, interpreting each character as if you
309typed it.
310
311Example: When you give the ":!ls" command you get the |hit-enter| prompt. If
312you ':source' a file with the line "!ls" in it, you will have to type the
313<Enter> yourself. But if you ':source!' a file with the line ":!ls" in it,
314the next characters from that file are read until a <CR> is found. You will
315not have to type <CR> yourself, unless ":!ls" was the last line in the file.
316
317It is possible to put ':source[!]' commands in the script file, so you can
318make a top-down hierarchy of script files. The ':source' command can be
319nested as deep as the number of files that can be opened at one time (about
32015). The ':source!' command can be nested up to 15 levels deep.
321
322You can use the "<sfile>" string (literally, this is not a special key) inside
323of the sourced file, in places where a file name is expected. It will be
324replaced by the file name of the sourced file. For example, if you have a
325"other.vimrc" file in the same directory as your ".vimrc" file, you can source
326it from your ".vimrc" file with this command: >
327 :source <sfile>:h/other.vimrc
328
329In script files terminal-dependent key codes are represented by
330terminal-independent two character codes. This means that they can be used
331in the same way on different kinds of terminals. The first character of a
332key code is 0x80 or 128, shown on the screen as "~@". The second one can be
333found in the list |key-notation|. Any of these codes can also be entered
334with CTRL-V followed by the three digit decimal code. This does NOT work for
335the <t_xx> termcap codes, these can only be used in mappings.
336
337 *:source_crnl* *W15*
338MS-DOS, Win32 and OS/2: Files that are read with ":source" normally have
339<CR><NL> <EOL>s. These always work. If you are using a file with <NL> <EOL>s
340(for example, a file made on Unix), this will be recognized if 'fileformats'
341is not empty and the first line does not end in a <CR>. This fails if the
342first line has something like ":map <F1> :help^M", where "^M" is a <CR>. If
343the first line ends in a <CR>, but following ones don't, you will get an error
344message, because the <CR> from the first lines will be lost.
345
Bram Moolenaar520470a2005-06-16 21:59:56 +0000346Mac Classic: Files that are read with ":source" normally have <CR> <EOL>s.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000347These always work. If you are using a file with <NL> <EOL>s (for example, a
348file made on Unix), this will be recognized if 'fileformats' is not empty and
349the first line does not end in a <CR>. Be careful not to use a file with <NL>
350linebreaks which has a <CR> in first line.
351
352On other systems, Vim expects ":source"ed files to end in a <NL>. These
353always work. If you are using a file with <CR><NL> <EOL>s (for example, a
354file made on MS-DOS), all lines will have a trailing <CR>. This may cause
355problems for some commands (e.g., mappings). There is no automatic <EOL>
356detection, because it's common to start with a line that defines a mapping
357that ends in a <CR>, which will confuse the automaton.
358
359 *line-continuation*
360Long lines in a ":source"d Ex command script file can be split by inserting
361a line continuation symbol "\" (backslash) at the start of the next line.
362There can be white space before the backslash, which is ignored.
363
364Example: the lines >
365 :set comments=sr:/*,mb:*,el:*/,
366 \://,
367 \b:#,
368 \:%,
369 \n:>,
370 \fb:-
371are interpreted as if they were given in one line:
372 :set comments=sr:/*,mb:*,el:*/,://,b:#,:%,n:>,fb:-
373
374All leading whitespace characters in the line before a backslash are ignored.
375Note however that trailing whitespace in the line before it cannot be
376inserted freely; it depends on the position where a command is split up
377whether additional whitespace is allowed or not.
378
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100379When a space is required it's best to put it right after the backslash. A
380space at the end of a line is hard to see and may be accidentally deleted. >
381 :syn match Comment
382 \ "very long regexp"
383 \ keepend
384
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000385There is a problem with the ":append" and ":insert" commands: >
386 :1append
387 \asdf
388 .
389The backslash is seen as a line-continuation symbol, thus this results in the
390command: >
391 :1appendasdf
392 .
393To avoid this, add the 'C' flag to the 'cpoptions' option: >
394 :set cpo+=C
395 :1append
396 \asdf
397 .
398 :set cpo-=C
399
400Note that when the commands are inside a function, you need to add the 'C'
401flag when defining the function, it is not relevant when executing it. >
402 :set cpo+=C
403 :function Foo()
404 :1append
405 \asdf
406 .
407 :endfunction
408 :set cpo-=C
409
410Rationale:
411 Most programs work with a trailing backslash to indicate line
412 continuation. Using this in Vim would cause incompatibility with Vi.
413 For example for this Vi mapping: >
414 :map xx asdf\
415< Therefore the unusual leading backslash is used.
416
417==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +01004185. Using Vim packages *packages*
419
420A Vim package is a directory that contains one or more plugins. The
421advantages over normal plugins:
422- A package can be downloaded as an archive and unpacked in its own directory.
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100423 Thus the files are not mixed with files of other plugins. That makes it
424 easy to update and remove.
Bram Moolenaar91715872016-03-03 17:13:03 +0100425- A package can be a git, mercurial, etc. repository. That makes it really
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100426 easy to update.
427- A package can contain multiple plugins that depend on each other.
428- A package can contain plugins that are automatically loaded on startup and
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100429 ones that are only loaded when needed with `:packadd`.
430
431
432Using a package and loading automatically ~
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100433
434Let's assume your Vim files are in the "~/.vim" directory and you want to add a
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100435package from a zip archive "/tmp/foopack.zip":
436 % mkdir -p ~/.vim/pack/foo
437 % cd ~/.vim/pack/foo
438 % unzip /tmp/foopack.zip
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100439
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100440The directory name "foo" is arbitrary, you can pick anything you like.
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100441
442You would now have these files under ~/.vim:
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100443 pack/foo/README.txt
444 pack/foo/ever/foobar/plugin/foo.vim
445 pack/foo/ever/foobar/syntax/some.vim
446 pack/foo/opt/foodebug/plugin/debugger.vim
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100447
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100448When Vim starts up, after processing your .vimrc, it scans all directories in
449'packpath' for plugins under the "pack/*/ever" directory and loads them. The
450directory is added to 'runtimepath'.
Bram Moolenaarf3654822016-03-04 22:12:23 +0100451
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100452In the example Vim will find "pack/foo/ever/foobar/plugin/foo.vim" and adds
453"~/.vim/pack/foo/ever/foobar" to 'runtimepath'.
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100454
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100455If the "foobar" plugin kicks in and sets the 'filetype' to "some", Vim will
456find the syntax/some.vim file, because its directory is in 'runtimepath'.
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100457
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100458Vim will also load ftdetect files, if there are any.
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100459
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100460Note that the files under "pack/foo/opt" or not loaded automatically, only the
461ones under "pack/foo/ever". See |pack-add| below for how the "opt" directory
462is used.
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100463
464Loading packages will not happen if loading plugins is disabled, see
465|load-plugins|.
466
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100467
468Using a single plugin and loading it automatically ~
469
470If you don't have a package but a single plugin, you need to create the extra
471directory level:
472 % mkdir -p ~/.vim/pack/foo/ever/foobar
473 % cd ~/.vim/pack/foo/ever/foobar
474 % unzip /tmp/someplugin.zip
475
476You would now have these files:
477 pack/foo/ever/foobar/plugin/foo.vim
478 pack/foo/ever/foobar/syntax/some.vim
479
480From here it works like above.
481
482
483Optional plugins ~
484 *pack-add*
485To load an optional plugin from a pack use the `:packadd` command: >
486 :packadd foodebug
487This searches for "pack/*/opt/foodebug" in 'packpath' and will find
488~/.vim/pack/foo/opt/foodebug/plugin/debugger.vim and source it.
489
490This could be done inside always.vim, if some conditions are met. Or you
491could add this command to your |.vimrc|.
492
493It is perfectly normal for a package to only have files in the "opt"
494directory. You then need to load each plugin when you want to use it.
495
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100496==============================================================================
4976. Debugging scripts *debug-scripts*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000498
499Besides the obvious messages that you can add to your scripts to find out what
500they are doing, Vim offers a debug mode. This allows you to step through a
501sourced file or user function and set breakpoints.
502
503NOTE: The debugging mode is far from perfect. Debugging will have side
504effects on how Vim works. You cannot use it to debug everything. For
505example, the display is messed up by the debugging messages.
506{Vi does not have a debug mode}
507
508An alternative to debug mode is setting the 'verbose' option. With a bigger
509number it will give more verbose messages about what Vim is doing.
510
511
512STARTING DEBUG MODE *debug-mode*
513
514To enter debugging mode use one of these methods:
5151. Start Vim with the |-D| argument: >
516 vim -D file.txt
517< Debugging will start as soon as the first vimrc file is sourced. This is
518 useful to find out what is happening when Vim is starting up. A side
519 effect is that Vim will switch the terminal mode before initialisations
520 have finished, with unpredictable results.
521 For a GUI-only version (Windows, Macintosh) the debugging will start as
522 soon as the GUI window has been opened. To make this happen early, add a
523 ":gui" command in the vimrc file.
524 *:debug*
5252. Run a command with ":debug" prepended. Debugging will only be done while
526 this command executes. Useful for debugging a specific script or user
527 function. And for scripts and functions used by autocommands. Example: >
528 :debug edit test.txt.gz
529
5303. Set a breakpoint in a sourced file or user function. You could do this in
531 the command line: >
532 vim -c "breakadd file */explorer.vim" .
533< This will run Vim and stop in the first line of the "explorer.vim" script.
534 Breakpoints can also be set while in debugging mode.
535
536In debugging mode every executed command is displayed before it is executed.
537Comment lines, empty lines and lines that are not executed are skipped. When
538a line contains two commands, separated by "|", each command will be displayed
539separately.
540
541
542DEBUG MODE
543
544Once in debugging mode, the usual Ex commands can be used. For example, to
545inspect the value of a variable: >
546 echo idx
547When inside a user function, this will print the value of the local variable
548"idx". Prepend "g:" to get the value of a global variable: >
549 echo g:idx
550All commands are executed in the context of the current function or script.
551You can also set options, for example setting or resetting 'verbose' will show
552what happens, but you might want to set it just before executing the lines you
553are interested in: >
554 :set verbose=20
555
556Commands that require updating the screen should be avoided, because their
557effect won't be noticed until after leaving debug mode. For example: >
558 :help
559won't be very helpful.
560
561There is a separate command-line history for debug mode.
562
563The line number for a function line is relative to the start of the function.
564If you have trouble figuring out where you are, edit the file that defines
565the function in another Vim, search for the start of the function and do
566"99j". Replace "99" with the line number.
567
568Additionally, these commands can be used:
569 *>cont*
570 cont Continue execution until the next breakpoint is hit.
571 *>quit*
572 quit Abort execution. This is like using CTRL-C, some
573 things might still be executed, doesn't abort
574 everything. Still stops at the next breakpoint.
575 *>next*
576 next Execute the command and come back to debug mode when
577 it's finished. This steps over user function calls
578 and sourced files.
579 *>step*
580 step Execute the command and come back to debug mode for
581 the next command. This steps into called user
582 functions and sourced files.
583 *>interrupt*
584 interrupt This is like using CTRL-C, but unlike ">quit" comes
585 back to debug mode for the next command that is
586 executed. Useful for testing |:finally| and |:catch|
587 on interrupt exceptions.
588 *>finish*
589 finish Finish the current script or user function and come
590 back to debug mode for the command after the one that
591 sourced or called it.
Bram Moolenaarf1f60f82016-01-16 15:40:53 +0100592 *>bt*
593 *>backtrace*
594 *>where*
595 backtrace Show the call stacktrace for current debugging session.
596 bt
597 where
598 *>frame*
Bram Moolenaar38a55632016-02-15 22:07:32 +0100599 frame N Goes to N backtrace level. + and - signs make movement
Bram Moolenaarf1f60f82016-01-16 15:40:53 +0100600 relative. E.g., ":frame +3" goes three frames up.
601 *>up*
602 up Goes one level up from call stacktrace.
603 *>down*
604 down Goes one level down from call stacktrace.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000605
606About the additional commands in debug mode:
607- There is no command-line completion for them, you get the completion for the
608 normal Ex commands only.
Bram Moolenaardae8d212016-02-27 22:40:16 +0100609- You can shorten them, up to a single character, unless more than one command
Bram Moolenaarf1f60f82016-01-16 15:40:53 +0100610 starts with the same letter. "f" stands for "finish", use "fr" for "frame".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000611- Hitting <CR> will repeat the previous one. When doing another command, this
612 is reset (because it's not clear what you want to repeat).
613- When you want to use the Ex command with the same name, prepend a colon:
614 ":cont", ":next", ":finish" (or shorter).
615
Bram Moolenaarf1f60f82016-01-16 15:40:53 +0100616The backtrace shows the hierarchy of function calls, e.g.:
617 >bt ~
618 3 function One[3] ~
619 2 Two[3] ~
620 ->1 Three[3] ~
621 0 Four ~
622 line 1: let four = 4 ~
623
624The "->" points to the current frame. Use "up", "down" and "frame N" to
625select another frame.
626
627In the current frame you can evaluate the local function variables. There is
628no way to see the command at the current line yet.
629
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000630
631DEFINING BREAKPOINTS
632 *:breaka* *:breakadd*
633:breaka[dd] func [lnum] {name}
634 Set a breakpoint in a function. Example: >
635 :breakadd func Explore
636< Doesn't check for a valid function name, thus the breakpoint
637 can be set before the function is defined.
638
639:breaka[dd] file [lnum] {name}
640 Set a breakpoint in a sourced file. Example: >
641 :breakadd file 43 .vimrc
642
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +0000643:breaka[dd] here
644 Set a breakpoint in the current line of the current file.
645 Like doing: >
646 :breakadd file <cursor-line> <current-file>
647< Note that this only works for commands that are executed when
648 sourcing the file, not for a function defined in that file.
649
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000650The [lnum] is the line number of the breakpoint. Vim will stop at or after
651this line. When omitted line 1 is used.
652
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000653 *:debug-name*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000654{name} is a pattern that is matched with the file or function name. The
655pattern is like what is used for autocommands. There must be a full match (as
656if the pattern starts with "^" and ends in "$"). A "*" matches any sequence
657of characters. 'ignorecase' is not used, but "\c" can be used in the pattern
658to ignore case |/\c|. Don't include the () for the function name!
659
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000660The match for sourced scripts is done against the full file name. If no path
661is specified the current directory is used. Examples: >
662 breakadd file explorer.vim
663matches "explorer.vim" in the current directory. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000664 breakadd file *explorer.vim
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000665matches ".../plugin/explorer.vim", ".../plugin/iexplorer.vim", etc. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000666 breakadd file */explorer.vim
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000667matches ".../plugin/explorer.vim" and "explorer.vim" in any other directory.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000668
669The match for functions is done against the name as it's shown in the output
670of ":function". For local functions this means that something like "<SNR>99_"
671is prepended.
672
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +0000673Note that functions are first loaded and later executed. When they are loaded
674the "file" breakpoints are checked, when they are executed the "func"
675breakpoints.
676
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000677
678DELETING BREAKPOINTS
679 *:breakd* *:breakdel* *E161*
680:breakd[el] {nr}
681 Delete breakpoint {nr}. Use |:breaklist| to see the number of
682 each breakpoint.
683
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +0000684:breakd[el] *
685 Delete all breakpoints.
686
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000687:breakd[el] func [lnum] {name}
688 Delete a breakpoint in a function.
689
690:breakd[el] file [lnum] {name}
691 Delete a breakpoint in a sourced file.
692
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +0000693:breakd[el] here
694 Delete a breakpoint at the current line of the current file.
695
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000696When [lnum] is omitted, the first breakpoint in the function or file is
697deleted.
698The {name} must be exactly the same as what was typed for the ":breakadd"
699command. "explorer", "*explorer.vim" and "*explorer*" are different.
700
701
702LISTING BREAKPOINTS
703 *:breakl* *:breaklist*
704:breakl[ist]
705 List all breakpoints.
706
707
708OBSCURE
709
710 *:debugg* *:debuggreedy*
711:debugg[reedy]
712 Read debug mode commands from the normal input stream, instead
713 of getting them directly from the user. Only useful for test
714 scripts. Example: >
715 echo 'q^Mq' | vim -e -s -c debuggreedy -c 'breakadd file script.vim' -S script.vim
716
717:0debugg[reedy]
718 Undo ":debuggreedy": get debug mode commands directly from the
719 user, don't use typeahead for debug commands.
720
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000721==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +01007227. Profiling *profile* *profiling*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000723
Bram Moolenaar996343d2010-07-04 22:20:21 +0200724Profiling means that Vim measures the time that is spent on executing
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000725functions and/or scripts. The |+profile| feature is required for this.
726It is only included when Vim was compiled with "huge" features.
727{Vi does not have profiling}
728
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +0000729You can also use the |reltime()| function to measure time. This only requires
730the |+reltime| feature, which is present more often.
731
Bram Moolenaar16ea3672013-07-28 16:02:18 +0200732For profiling syntax highlighting see |:syntime|.
733
Bram Moolenaar76f3b1a2014-03-27 22:30:07 +0100734For example, to profile the one_script.vim script file: >
735 :profile start /tmp/one_script_profile
736 :profile file one_script.vim
737 :source one_script.vim
738 :exit
739
Bram Moolenaar16ea3672013-07-28 16:02:18 +0200740
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000741:prof[ile] start {fname} *:prof* *:profile* *E750*
742 Start profiling, write the output in {fname} upon exit.
Bram Moolenaar0a63ded2015-04-15 13:31:24 +0200743 "~/" and environment variables in {fname} will be expanded.
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +0000744 If {fname} already exists it will be silently overwritten.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000745 The variable |v:profiling| is set to one.
746
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +0000747:prof[ile] pause
748 Don't profile until the following ":profile continue". Can be
749 used when doing something that should not be counted (e.g., an
750 external command). Does not nest.
751
752:prof[ile] continue
753 Continue profiling after ":profile pause".
754
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000755:prof[ile] func {pattern}
756 Profile function that matches the pattern {pattern}.
757 See |:debug-name| for how {pattern} is used.
758
759:prof[ile][!] file {pattern}
760 Profile script file that matches the pattern {pattern}.
761 See |:debug-name| for how {pattern} is used.
762 This only profiles the script itself, not the functions
763 defined in it.
764 When the [!] is added then all functions defined in the script
Bram Moolenaar76f3b1a2014-03-27 22:30:07 +0100765 will also be profiled.
766 Note that profiling only starts when the script is loaded
767 after this command. A :profile command in the script itself
768 won't work.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000769
770
Bram Moolenaard9fba312005-06-26 22:34:35 +0000771:profd[el] ... *:profd* *:profdel*
772 Stop profiling for the arguments specified. See |:breakdel|
773 for the arguments.
774
775
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000776You must always start with a ":profile start fname" command. The resulting
777file is written when Vim exits. Here is an example of the output, with line
778numbers prepended for the explanation:
779
780 1 FUNCTION Test2() ~
781 2 Called 1 time ~
782 3 Total time: 0.155251 ~
783 4 Self time: 0.002006 ~
784 5 ~
785 6 count total (s) self (s) ~
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000786 7 9 0.000096 for i in range(8) ~
787 8 8 0.153655 0.000410 call Test3() ~
788 9 8 0.000070 endfor ~
789 10 " Ask a question ~
790 11 1 0.001341 echo input("give me an answer: ") ~
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000791
792The header (lines 1-4) gives the time for the whole function. The "Total"
793time is the time passed while the function was executing. The "Self" time is
794the "Total" time reduced by time spent in:
795- other user defined functions
796- sourced scripts
797- executed autocommands
798- external (shell) commands
799
800Lines 7-11 show the time spent in each executed line. Lines that are not
801executed do not count. Thus a comment line is never counted.
802
803The Count column shows how many times a line was executed. Note that the
804"for" command in line 7 is executed one more time as the following lines.
805That is because the line is also executed to detect the end of the loop.
806
807The time Vim spends waiting for user input isn't counted at all. Thus how
808long you take to respond to the input() prompt is irrelevant.
809
810Profiling should give a good indication of where time is spent, but keep in
811mind there are various things that may clobber the results:
812
813- The accuracy of the time measured depends on the gettimeofday() system
814 function. It may only be as accurate as 1/100 second, even though the times
815 are displayed in micro seconds.
816
817- Real elapsed time is measured, if other processes are busy they may cause
818 delays at unpredictable moments. You may want to run the profiling several
819 times and use the lowest results.
820
821- If you have several commands in one line you only get one time. Split the
822 line to see the time for the individual commands.
823
824- The time of the lines added up is mostly less than the time of the whole
825 function. There is some overhead in between.
826
827- Functions that are deleted before Vim exits will not produce profiling
828 information. You can check the |v:profiling| variable if needed: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000829 :if !v:profiling
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000830 : delfunc MyFunc
831 :endif
832<
Bram Moolenaar8cd06ca2005-02-28 22:44:58 +0000833- Profiling may give weird results on multi-processor systems, when sleep
834 mode kicks in or the processor frequency is reduced to save power.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000835
Bram Moolenaarc81e5e72007-05-05 18:24:42 +0000836- The "self" time is wrong when a function is used recursively.
837
838
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000839 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: