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Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.2a. Last change: 2008 Jun 24
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005
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 Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00003112. Textlock |textlock|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000032
33{Vi does not have any of these commands}
34
35==============================================================================
361. Variables *variables*
37
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000039 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000040There are six types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000042Number A 32 bit signed number. |expr-number| *Number*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000043 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
44
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000045Float A floating point number. |floating-point-format| *Float*
46 {only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
47 Examples: 123.456 1.15e-6 -1.1e3
48
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000049String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000050 |expr-string| Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000051
52Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
53 Example: function("strlen")
54
55List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
56 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000057
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000058Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
59 value. |Dictionary|
60 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
61
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000062The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
63are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000064
65Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
66the Number. Examples: >
67 Number 123 --> String "123"
68 Number 0 --> String "0"
69 Number -1 --> String "-1"
70
71Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
72to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
73the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
74 String "456" --> Number 456
75 String "6bar" --> Number 6
76 String "foo" --> Number 0
77 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
78 String "0100" --> Number 64
79 String "-8" --> Number -8
80 String "+8" --> Number 0
81
82To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
83 :echo "0100" + 0
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +000084< 64 ~
85
86To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different
87base, use |str2nr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000088
89For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
90
91Note that in the command >
92 :if "foo"
93"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
94use strlen(): >
95 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000096< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
97List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000098
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000099 *E805* *E806* *E808*
100When mixing Number and Float the Number is converted to Float. Otherwise
101there is no automatic conversion of Float. You can use str2float() for String
102to Float, printf() for Float to String and float2nr() for Float to Number.
103
104 *E706* *sticky-type-checking*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000105You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
106to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000107equivalent though, as well are Float and Number. Consider this sequence of
108commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000109 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000110 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000111 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error! l is still a Number
112 :let l = 4.4 " changes type from Number to Float
113 :let l = "string" " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000114
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000115
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001161.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000117 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000118A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000119in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
120around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000121
122 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
123 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000124< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000125A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:", "t:" or "b:". You
126cannot have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000127
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000128A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
129Dictionary entry. Example: >
130 :function dict.init() dict
131 : let self.val = 0
132 :endfunction
133
134The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
135function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
136
137A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
138 :call Fn()
139 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000140
141The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000142 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143
144You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
145arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000146 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000147
148
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001491.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000150 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000151A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000152can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000153position in the sequence.
154
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000155
156List creation ~
157 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000158A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000159Examples: >
160 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
161 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000162
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000163An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000164List of Lists: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000165 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000166
167An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
168
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000169
170List index ~
171 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000172An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000173after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
174 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000175 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000176
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000177When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000178 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000179<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000180A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
181the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000182 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
183
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000184To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000185is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000186 :echo get(mylist, idx)
187 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
188
189
190List concatenation ~
191
192Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
193 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000194 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000195
196To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
197it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
198
199
200Sublist ~
201
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000202A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
203separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000204 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000205
206Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000207similar to -1. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000208 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
209 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
210 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000211
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000212If the first index is beyond the last item of the List or the second item is
213before the first item, the result is an empty list. There is no error
214message.
215
216If the second index is equal to or greater than the length of the list the
217length minus one is used: >
Bram Moolenaar9e54a0e2006-04-14 20:42:25 +0000218 :let mylist = [0, 1, 2, 3]
219 :echo mylist[2:8] " result: [2, 3]
220
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000221NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000222using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000223mylist[s : e].
224
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000225
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000226List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000227 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000228When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
229variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
230change "bb": >
231 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
232 :let bb = aa
233 :call add(aa, 4)
234 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000235< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000236
237Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
238works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000239a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000240 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
241 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000242 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000243 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
244 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000245< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000246 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000247< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000248
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000249To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000250copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000251
252The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000253List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000254the same value. >
255 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
256 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
257 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000258< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000259 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000260< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000261
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000262Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
263same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000264exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
265different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
266variables. Example: >
267 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000268< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000269 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000270< 0
271
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000272Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000273can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000274
275 :let a = 5
276 :let b = "5"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000277 :echo a == b
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000278< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000279 :echo [a] == [b]
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000280< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000281
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000282
283List unpack ~
284
285To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
286square brackets, like list items: >
287 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
288
289When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
290this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
291and a variable name: >
292 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
293
294This works like: >
295 :let var1 = mylist[0]
296 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000297 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000298
299Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
300empty list then.
301
302
303List modification ~
304 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000305To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000306 :let list[4] = "four"
307 :let listlist[0][3] = item
308
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000309To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000310modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000311 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
312
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000313Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
314examples: >
315 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
316 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
317 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000318 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000319 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
320 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000321 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000322 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000323 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000324 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000325
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000326Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000327 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
328 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
329
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000330
331For loop ~
332
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000333The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
334to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000335 :for item in mylist
336 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000337 :endfor
338
339This works like: >
340 :let index = 0
341 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000342 : let item = mylist[index]
343 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000344 : let index = index + 1
345 :endwhile
346
347Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000348results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000349the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000350
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000351If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000352function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000353
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000354Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000355requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
356 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
357 : call Doit(lnum, col)
358 :endfor
359
360This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
361must remain the same to avoid an error.
362
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000363It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000364 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
365 : call Doit(i, j)
366 : if !empty(rest)
367 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
368 : endif
369 :endfor
370
371
372List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000373 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000374Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000375 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000376 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000377 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
378 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
379 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000380 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
381 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000382 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
383 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000384 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
385 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000386 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
387 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000388
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000389Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
390example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
391 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
392
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000393
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003941.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000395 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000396A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000397entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
398ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000399
400
401Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000402 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000403A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000404braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
405only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000406 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
407 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000408< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000409A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
410String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000411entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000412Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000413
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000414A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000415nested Dictionary: >
416 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
417
418An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
419
420
421Accessing entries ~
422
423The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
424 :let val = mydict["one"]
425 :let mydict["four"] = 4
426
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000427You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000428
429For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
430form can be used |expr-entry|: >
431 :let val = mydict.one
432 :let mydict.four = 4
433
434Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
435key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000436 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000437
438
439Dictionary to List conversion ~
440
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000441You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000442turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
443
444Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
445 :for key in keys(mydict)
446 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
447 :endfor
448
449The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
450 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
451
452To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
453 :for v in values(mydict)
454 : echo "value: " . v
455 :endfor
456
457If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000458a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000459 :for [key, value] in items(mydict)
460 : echo key . ': ' . value
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000461 :endfor
462
463
464Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000465 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000466Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
467Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
468Dictionary: >
469 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
470 :let adict = onedict
471 :let adict['a'] = 11
472 :echo onedict['a']
473 11
474
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000475Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
476more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000477
478
479Dictionary modification ~
480 *dict-modification*
481To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
482use |:let| this way: >
483 :let dict[4] = "four"
484 :let dict['one'] = item
485
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000486Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
487Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
488 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
489 :unlet dict.aaa
490 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000491
492Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000493 :call extend(adict, bdict)
494This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
495in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000496Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
497expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
498adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000499
500Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000501 :call filter(dict, 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000502This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000503
504
505Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000506 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000507When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000508special way with a dictionary. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000509 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000510 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000511 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000512 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
513 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000514
515This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
516Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
517the function was invoked from.
518
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000519It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
520Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
521
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000522 *numbered-function* *anonymous-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000523To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
524assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000525 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
526 :function mydict.len() dict
527 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000528 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000529 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000530
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000531The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000532that references this function. The function can only be used through a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000533|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
534remaining that refers to it.
535
536It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000537
538
539Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000540 *E715*
541Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000542 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
543 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
544 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
545 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
546 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
547 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
548 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
549 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000550
551
5521.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000553 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000554If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
555function.
556
557When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
558start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
559stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
560
561When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
562start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
563stored in the session file |session-file|.
564
565variable name can be stored where ~
566my_var_6 not
567My_Var_6 session file
568MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
569
570
571It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
572|curly-braces-names|.
573
574==============================================================================
5752. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
576
577Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
578
579|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
580
581|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
582
583|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
584
585|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
586 expr5 != expr5 not equal
587 expr5 > expr5 greater than
588 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
589 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
590 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
591 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
592 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
593
594 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
595 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
596 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
597 matching case
598
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000599 expr5 is expr5 same |List| instance
600 expr5 isnot expr5 different |List| instance
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000601
602|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000603 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
604 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
605
606|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
607 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
608 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
609
610|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
611 - expr7 unary minus
612 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000613
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000614
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000615|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a |List|
616 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a |List|
617 expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary|
618 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with |Funcref| variable
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000619
620|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000621 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000622 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000623 [expr1, ...] |List|
624 {expr1: expr1, ...} |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000625 &option option value
626 (expr1) nested expression
627 variable internal variable
628 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
629 $VAR environment variable
630 @r contents of register 'r'
631 function(expr1, ...) function call
632 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
633
634
635".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
636Example: >
637 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
638
639All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
640
641
642expr1 *expr1* *E109*
643-----
644
645expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
646
647The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
648non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
649otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
650Example: >
651 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
652
653Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
654other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
655Example: >
656 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
657
658To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
659 :echo lnum == 1
660 :\ ? "top"
661 :\ : lnum == 1000
662 :\ ? "last"
663 :\ : lnum
664
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000665You should always put a space before the ':', otherwise it can be mistaken for
666use in a variable such as "a:1".
667
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000668
669expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
670---------------
671
672 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
673The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
674are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
675
676 input output ~
677n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
678zero zero zero zero
679zero non-zero non-zero zero
680non-zero zero non-zero zero
681non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
682
683The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
684
685 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
686
687Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
688
689 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
690
691Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
692arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
693
694 let a = 1
695 echo a || b
696
697This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
698so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
699
700 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
701
702This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
703only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
704
705
706expr4 *expr4*
707-----
708
709expr5 {cmp} expr5
710
711Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
712if it evaluates to true.
713
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000714 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000715 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
716 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
717 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
718 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
719 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000720 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000721 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
722equal == ==# ==?
723not equal != !=# !=?
724greater than > ># >?
725greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
726smaller than < <# <?
727smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
728regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
729regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000730same instance is
731different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000732
733Examples:
734"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
735"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
736"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
737
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000738 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000739A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
740"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
741Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000742
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000743 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000744A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
745equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000746recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
747
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000748 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000749A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
750equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000751
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000752When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| this checks if the expressions are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000753referring to the same |List| instance. A copy of a |List| is different from
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000754the original |List|. When using "is" without a |List| it is equivalent to
755using "equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000756different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000757is false.
758
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000759When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000760and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000761because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
762
763When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
764results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
765necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
766
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000767When using the operators with a trailing '#', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000768'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp(): case matters.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000769
770When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000771'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp(): case is ignored.
772
773'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000774
775The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
776argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
777This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
778matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
779portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
780single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
781Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
782(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
783can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
784 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
785 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
786
787
788expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
789---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000790expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000791expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
792expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000793
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +0000794For |Lists| only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000795result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000796
797expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
798expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
799expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000800
801For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
802
803Note the difference between "+" and ".":
804 "123" + "456" = 579
805 "123" . "456" = "123456"
806
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000807Since '.' has the same precedence as '+' and '-', you need to read: >
808 1 . 90 + 90.0
809As: >
810 (1 . 90) + 90.0
811That works, since the String "190" is automatically converted to the Number
812190, which can be added to the Float 90.0. However: >
813 1 . 90 * 90.0
814Should be read as: >
815 1 . (90 * 90.0)
816Since '.' has lower precedence than '*'. This does NOT work, since this
817attempts to concatenate a Float and a String.
818
819When dividing a Number by zero the result depends on the value:
820 0 / 0 = -0x80000000 (like NaN for Float)
821 >0 / 0 = 0x7fffffff (like positive infinity)
822 <0 / 0 = -0x7fffffff (like negative infinity)
823 (before Vim 7.2 it was always 0x7fffffff)
824
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000825When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
826
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000827None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000828
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000829. and % do not work for Float. *E804*
830
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000831
832expr7 *expr7*
833-----
834! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
835- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
836+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
837
838For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
839For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
840For '+' the number is unchanged.
841
842A String will be converted to a Number first.
843
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000844These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000845 !-1 == 0
846 !!8 == 1
847 --9 == 9
848
849
850expr8 *expr8*
851-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000852expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000853
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000854If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
855expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000856Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000857
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000858Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
859text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
860cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000861 :let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000862
863If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000864String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
865compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
866
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000867If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000868for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000869error. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000870 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
871
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000872Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
873|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
874error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000875
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000876
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000877expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000878
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000879If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
880from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000881expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
882encodings.
883
884If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
885string minus one is used.
886
887A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
888the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
889
890If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
891expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
892
893Examples: >
894 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
895 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
896 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
897 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
898
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000899If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000900the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000901just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000902 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
903 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
904 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
905
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000906Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
907error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000908
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000909
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000910expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000911
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000912If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
913name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
914expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000915
916The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
917but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
918
919There must not be white space before or after the dot.
920
921Examples: >
922 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
923 :echo dict.one
924 :echo dict .2
925
926Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
927always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
928
929
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000930expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000931
932When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
933
934
935
936 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000937number
938------
939number number constant *expr-number*
940
941Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
942
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000943 *floating-point-format*
944Floating point numbers can be written in two forms:
945
946 [-+]{N}.{M}
947 [-+]{N}.{M}e[-+]{exp}
948
949{N} and {M} are numbers. Both {N} and {M} must be present and can only
950contain digits.
951[-+] means there is an optional plus or minus sign.
952{exp} is the exponent, power of 10.
953Only a decimal point is accepted, not a comma. No matter what the current
954locale is.
955{only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
956
957Examples:
958 123.456
959 +0.0001
960 55.0
961 -0.123
962 1.234e03
963 1.0E-6
964 -3.1416e+88
965
966These are INVALID:
967 3. empty {M}
968 1e40 missing .{M}
969
970Rationale:
971Before floating point was introduced, the text "123.456" was interpreted as
972the two numbers "123" and "456", both converted to a string and concatenated,
973resulting in the string "123456". Since this was considered pointless, and we
974could not find it actually being used in Vim scripts, this backwards
975incompatibility was accepted in favor of being able to use the normal notation
976for floating point numbers.
977
978 *floating-point-precision*
979The precision and range of floating points numbers depends on what "double"
980means in the library Vim was compiled with. There is no way to change this at
981runtime.
982
983The default for displaying a |Float| is to use 6 decimal places, like using
984printf("%g", f). You can select something else when using the |printf()|
985function. Example: >
986 :echo printf('%.15e', atan(1))
987< 7.853981633974483e-01
988
989
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000990
991string *expr-string* *E114*
992------
993"string" string constant *expr-quote*
994
995Note that double quotes are used.
996
997A string constant accepts these special characters:
998\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
999\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
1000\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
1001\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
1002\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
1003\X.. same as \x..
1004\X. same as \x.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001005\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001006 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
1007\U.... same as \u....
1008\b backspace <BS>
1009\e escape <Esc>
1010\f formfeed <FF>
1011\n newline <NL>
1012\r return <CR>
1013\t tab <Tab>
1014\\ backslash
1015\" double quote
1016\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
1017
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001018Note that "\xff" is stored as the byte 255, which may be invalid in some
1019encodings. Use "\u00ff" to store character 255 according to the current value
1020of 'encoding'.
1021
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001022Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
1023
1024
1025literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
1026---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001027'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001028
1029Note that single quotes are used.
1030
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001031This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001032meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001033
1034Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001035to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001036 if a =~ "\\s*"
1037 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001038
1039
1040option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
1041------
1042&option option value, local value if possible
1043&g:option global option value
1044&l:option local option value
1045
1046Examples: >
1047 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
1048 if &insertmode
1049
1050Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
1051and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
1052anyway.
1053
1054
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001055register *expr-register* *@r*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001056--------
1057@r contents of register 'r'
1058
1059The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
1060Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001061register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00001062registers.
1063
1064When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
1065evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001066
1067
1068nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
1069-------
1070(expr1) nested expression
1071
1072
1073environment variable *expr-env*
1074--------------------
1075$VAR environment variable
1076
1077The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
1078result is an empty string.
1079 *expr-env-expand*
1080Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
1081expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
1082are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
1083the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
1084fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
1085does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
1086 :echo $version
1087 :echo expand("$version")
1088The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
1089variable (if your shell supports it).
1090
1091
1092internal variable *expr-variable*
1093-----------------
1094variable internal variable
1095See below |internal-variables|.
1096
1097
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001098function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001099-------------
1100function(expr1, ...) function call
1101See below |functions|.
1102
1103
1104==============================================================================
11053. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1106 *E461*
1107An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1108cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1109|curly-braces-names|.
1110
1111An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001112An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1113|:unlet|.
1114Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1115been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001116
1117There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1118specified by what is prepended:
1119
1120 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1121|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1122|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001123|tabpage-variable| t: Local to the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001124|global-variable| g: Global.
1125|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1126|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1127|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001128|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001129
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001130The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1131delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001132 :for k in keys(s:)
1133 : unlet s:[k]
1134 :endfor
1135<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001136 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1137A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1138Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1139This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1140|:bdelete|.
1141
1142One local buffer variable is predefined:
1143 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1144b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1145 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1146 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1147 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1148 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001149 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1150 : call My_Update()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001151 :endif
1152<
1153 *window-variable* *w:var*
1154A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1155is deleted when the window is closed.
1156
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001157 *tabpage-variable* *t:var*
1158A variable name that is preceded with "t:" is local to the current tab page,
1159It is deleted when the tab page is closed. {not available when compiled
1160without the +windows feature}
1161
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001162 *global-variable* *g:var*
1163Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001164access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001165place if you like.
1166
1167 *local-variable* *l:var*
1168Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001169But you can also prepend "l:" if you like. However, without prepending "l:"
1170you may run into reserved variable names. For example "count". By itself it
1171refers to "v:count". Using "l:count" you can have a local variable with the
1172same name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001173
1174 *script-variable* *s:var*
1175In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1176accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1177
1178They can be used in:
1179- commands executed while the script is sourced
1180- functions defined in the script
1181- autocommands defined in the script
1182- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1183 defined in the script (recursively)
1184- user defined commands defined in the script
1185Thus not in:
1186- other scripts sourced from this one
1187- mappings
1188- etc.
1189
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001190Script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1191Take this example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001192
1193 let s:counter = 0
1194 function MyCounter()
1195 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1196 echo s:counter
1197 endfunction
1198 command Tick call MyCounter()
1199
1200You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1201that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1202"Tick" was defined is used.
1203
1204Another example that does the same: >
1205
1206 let s:counter = 0
1207 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1208
1209When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001210script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001211defined.
1212
1213The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1214function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1215
1216 let s:counter = 0
1217 function StartCounting(incr)
1218 if a:incr
1219 function MyCounter()
1220 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1221 endfunction
1222 else
1223 function MyCounter()
1224 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1225 endfunction
1226 endif
1227 endfunction
1228
1229This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1230when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1231called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1232
1233When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1234They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1235maintain a counter: >
1236
1237 if !exists("s:counter")
1238 let s:counter = 1
1239 echo "script executed for the first time"
1240 else
1241 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1242 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1243 endif
1244
1245Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1246variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1247
1248
1249Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1250
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001251 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1252v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1253 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1254 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1255
1256 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1257v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1258 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1259
1260 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1261v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1262 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1263
1264 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001265v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1266 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1267 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1268 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001269 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1270 highlighted text is used.
1271 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1272
1273 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1274v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1275 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1276
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001277 *v:char* *char-variable*
1278v:char Argument for evaluating 'formatexpr'.
1279
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001280 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1281v:charconvert_from
1282 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1283 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1284
1285 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1286v:charconvert_to
1287 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1288 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1289
1290 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1291v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1292 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1293 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1294 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1295 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1296 possible to append this variable directly after the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001297 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001298 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1299 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1300 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1301 in 'printexpr'.
1302
1303 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1304v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1305 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1306 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1307 can be used.
1308
1309 *v:count* *count-variable*
1310v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001311 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001312 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1313< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1314 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001315 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001316 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1317
1318 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1319v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1320 used.
1321
1322 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1323v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1324 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1325 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1326 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1327 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1328 command.
1329 See |multi-lang|.
1330
1331 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001332v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001333 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1334 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1335 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1336 Example: >
1337 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1338<
1339 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1340v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1341 Example: >
1342 :let v:errmsg = ""
1343 :silent! next
1344 :if v:errmsg != ""
1345 : ... handle error
1346< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1347
1348 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1349v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1350 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1351 Example: >
1352 :try
1353 : throw "oops"
1354 :catch /.*/
1355 : echo "caught" v:exception
1356 :endtry
1357< Output: "caught oops".
1358
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001359 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1360v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1361 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1362 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1363 deleted file no longer exists
1364 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1365 changed and buffer is modified
1366 changed file contents has changed
1367 mode mode of file changed
1368 time only file timestamp changed
1369
1370 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1371v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1372 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1373 do with the affected buffer:
1374 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1375 the file was deleted).
1376 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1377 was no autocommand. Except that when
1378 only the timestamp changed nothing
1379 will happen.
1380 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1381 everything that needs to be done.
1382 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1383 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1384
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001385 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001386v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001387 option used for ~
1388 'charconvert' file to be converted
1389 'diffexpr' original file
1390 'patchexpr' original file
1391 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001392 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001393
1394 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1395v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1396 evaluating:
1397 option used for ~
1398 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1399 'diffexpr' output of diff
1400 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1401 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001402 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001403 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1404 file and different from v:fname_in.
1405
1406 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1407v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1408 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1409
1410 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1411v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1412 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1413
1414 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1415v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1416 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001417 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001418
1419 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1420v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001421 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001422
1423 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1424v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001425 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001426
1427 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1428v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001429 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001430
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001431 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1432v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1433 events. Values:
1434 i Insert mode
1435 r Replace mode
1436 v Virtual Replace mode
1437
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001438 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001439v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001440 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1441 Read-only.
1442
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001443 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1444v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1445 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1446 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1447 The value is system dependent.
1448 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1449 command.
1450 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1451 in a different language than what is used for character
1452 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1453
1454 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1455v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1456 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1457 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1458 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1459 command. See |multi-lang|.
1460
1461 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001462v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
Bram Moolenaar57657d82006-04-21 22:12:41 +00001463 expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel' and
1464 'guitabtooltip'. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1465 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001466
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00001467 *v:mouse_win* *mouse_win-variable*
1468v:mouse_win Window number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1469 First window has number 1, like with |winnr()|. The value is
1470 zero when there was no mouse button click.
1471
1472 *v:mouse_lnum* *mouse_lnum-variable*
1473v:mouse_lnum Line number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1474 This is the text line number, not the screen line number. The
1475 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1476
1477 *v:mouse_col* *mouse_col-variable*
1478v:mouse_col Column number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1479 This is the screen column number, like with |virtcol()|. The
1480 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1481
Bram Moolenaar8af1fbf2008-01-05 12:35:21 +00001482 *v:operator* *operator-variable*
1483v:operator The last operator given in Normal mode. This is a single
1484 character except for commands starting with <g> or <z>,
1485 in which case it is two characters. Best used alongside
1486 |v:prevcount| and |v:register|. Useful if you want to cancel
1487 Operator-pending mode and then use the operator, e.g.: >
1488 :omap O <Esc>:call MyMotion(v:operator)<CR>
1489< The value remains set until another operator is entered, thus
1490 don't expect it to be empty.
1491 v:operator is not set for |:delete|, |:yank| or other Ex
1492 commands.
1493 Read-only.
1494
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001495 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1496v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1497 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
Bram Moolenaar8af1fbf2008-01-05 12:35:21 +00001498 you want to cancel Visual or Operator-pending mode and then
1499 use the count, e.g.: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001500 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1501< Read-only.
1502
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001503 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001504v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001505 See |profiling|.
1506
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001507 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1508v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1509 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1510 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1511 Read-only.
1512
1513 *v:register* *register-variable*
1514v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1515 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1516
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001517 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1518v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1519 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1520 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1521 typed command.
1522 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1523 hit-enter prompt.
1524
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001525 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1526v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1527 Read-only.
1528
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001529
1530v:searchforward *v:searchforward* *searchforward-variable*
1531 Search direction: 1 after a forward search, 0 after a
1532 backward search. It is reset to forward when directly setting
1533 the last search pattern, see |quote/|.
1534 Note that the value is restored when returning from a
1535 function. |function-search-undo|.
1536 Read-write.
1537
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001538 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1539v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1540 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1541 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1542 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1543 executed. Read-only.
1544 Example: >
1545 :!mv foo bar
1546 :if v:shell_error
1547 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1548 :endif
1549< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1550
1551 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1552v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1553
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001554 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1555v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1556 the swap file found. Read-only.
1557
1558 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1559v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1560 for handling an existing swap file:
1561 'o' Open read-only
1562 'e' Edit anyway
1563 'r' Recover
1564 'd' Delete swapfile
1565 'q' Quit
1566 'a' Abort
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001567 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001568 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1569 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1570
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001571 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001572v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001573 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001574 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001575 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001576 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001577
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001578 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1579v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001580 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001581 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1582 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1583 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1584 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1585 terminal.
1586 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1587 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1588 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1589 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1590 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1591
1592 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1593v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1594 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1595 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1596 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1597
1598 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1599v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001600 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001601 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1602 Example: >
1603 :try
1604 : throw "oops"
1605 :catch /.*/
1606 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1607 :endtry
1608< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1609
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001610 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001611v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001612 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001613 |filter()|. Read-only.
1614
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001615 *v:version* *version-variable*
1616v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1617 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1618 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1619 compatibility.
1620 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1621 if has("patch123")
1622< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1623 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1624 completely different.
1625
1626 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1627v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1628
1629==============================================================================
16304. Builtin Functions *functions*
1631
1632See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1633
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001634(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001635
1636USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1637
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001638abs( {expr}) Float or Number absolute value of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001639add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001640append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001641append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001642argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001643argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001644argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001645argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001646atan( {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001647browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1648 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001649browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001650bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001651buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1652bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001653bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1654bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1655bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1656byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001657byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001658call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1659 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001660ceil( {expr}) Float round {expr} up
1661changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001662char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001663cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001664clearmatches() None clear all matches
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001665col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001666complete({startcol}, {matches}) String set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001667complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001668complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001669confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1670 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001671copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001672cos( {expr}) Float cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001673count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1674 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001675cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1676 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001677cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {coladd}])
1678 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {coladd}
1679cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001680deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001681delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1682did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001683diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1684diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001685empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001686escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001687eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001688eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001689executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1690exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001691extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
1692 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001693expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001694feedkeys( {string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001695filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001696filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001697filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1698 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001699finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001700 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001701findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001702 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001703float2nr( {expr}) Number convert Float {expr} to a Number
1704floor( {expr}) Float round {expr} down
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00001705fnameescape( {fname}) String escape special characters in {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001706fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001707foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1708foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001709foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001710foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001711foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001712foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001713function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00001714garbagecollect( [at_exit]) none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001715get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001716get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001717getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1718 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001719getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001720getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1721getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001722getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1723getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001724getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001725getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001726getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1727getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001728getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001729getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001730getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001731getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1732getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001733getloclist({nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001734getmatches() List list of current matches
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00001735getpid() Number process ID of Vim
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001736getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001737getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001738getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001739getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001740gettabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {name})
1741 any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001742getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1743getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001744getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001745glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1746globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1747has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001748has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00001749haslocaldir() Number TRUE if current window executed |:lcd|
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001750hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1751 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001752histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1753histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1754histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1755histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1756hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1757hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1758hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001759iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1760indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001761index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1762 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001763input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1764 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001765inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001766inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001767inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1768inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001769inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001770insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001771isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001772islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001773items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001774join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001775keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001776len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1777libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001778libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1779line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1780line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001781lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001782localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001783log10( {expr}) Float logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001784map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001785maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1786 String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1787mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1788 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001789match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001790 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001791matchadd( {group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
1792 Number highlight {pattern} with {group}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001793matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001794matchdelete( {id}) Number delete match identified by {id}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001795matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001796 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001797matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1798 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001799matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1800 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001801max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00001802min({list}) Number minimum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001803mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1804 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001805mode( [expr]) String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001806nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1807nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001808pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001809pow( {x}, {y}) Float {x} to the power of {y}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001810prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001811printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
1812pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001813range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1814 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001815readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1816 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00001817reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
1818reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001819remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1820 String send expression
1821remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1822remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1823 Number check for reply string
1824remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1825remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1826 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001827remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001828remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001829rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1830repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1831resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001832reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001833round( {expr}) Float round off {expr}
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001834search( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
1835 Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001836searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001837 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001838searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001839 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001840searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001841 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001842searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001843 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001844server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1845 Number send reply string
1846serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1847setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1848setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1849setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001850setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1851 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001852setmatches( {list}) Number restore a list of matches
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001853setpos( {expr}, {list}) none set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001854setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001855setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001856settabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window
1857 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001858setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00001859shellescape( {string} [, {special}])
1860 String escape {string} for use as shell
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00001861 command argument
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001862simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001863sin( {expr}) Float sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001864sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001865soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001866spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001867spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1868 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001869split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001870 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001871sqrt( {expr} Float squar root of {expr}
1872str2float( {expr}) Float convert String to Float
1873str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert String to Number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001874strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001875stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1876 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001877string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001878strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1879strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1880 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001881strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1882 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001883strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001884submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001885substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1886 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001887synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001888synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1889 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1890synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001891synstack({lnum}, {col}) List stack of syntax IDs at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001892system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001893tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1894tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1895tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1896 Number number of current window in tab page
1897taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001898tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001899tempname() String name for a temporary file
1900tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1901toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001902tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1903 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001904trunc( {expr} Float truncate Float {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001905type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001906values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001907virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1908visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1909winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1910wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1911winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1912winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001913winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001914winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00001915winrestview({dict}) None restore view of current window
1916winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001917winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001918writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1919 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001920
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001921abs({expr}) *abs()*
1922 Return the absolute value of {expr}. When {expr} evaluates to
1923 a |Float| abs() returns a |Float|. When {expr} can be
1924 converted to a |Number| abs() returns a |Number|. Otherwise
1925 abs() gives an error message and returns -1.
1926 Examples: >
1927 echo abs(1.456)
1928< 1.456 >
1929 echo abs(-5.456)
1930< 5.456 >
1931 echo abs(-4)
1932< 4
1933 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
1934
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001935add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001936 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
1937 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001938 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1939 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001940< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001941 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001942 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001943
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001944
1945append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001946 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
1947 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001948 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1949 the current buffer.
1950 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001951 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001952 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001953 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001954 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001955<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001956 *argc()*
1957argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1958 current window. See |arglist|.
1959
1960 *argidx()*
1961argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1962 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1963
1964 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001965argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001966 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1967 Example: >
1968 :let i = 0
1969 :while i < argc()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001970 : let f = escape(fnameescape(argv(i)), '.')
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001971 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1972 : let i = i + 1
1973 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001974< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
1975 returned.
1976
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001977atan({expr}) *atan()*
1978 Return the principal value of the arc tangent of {expr}, in
1979 the range [-pi/2, +pi/2] radians, as a |Float|.
1980 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
1981 Examples: >
1982 :echo atan(100)
1983< 1.560797 >
1984 :echo atan(-4.01)
1985< -1.326405
1986 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
1987
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001988 *browse()*
1989browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1990 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1991 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1992 The input fields are:
1993 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1994 {title} title for the requester
1995 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1996 {default} default file name
1997 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1998 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1999
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002000 *browsedir()*
2001browsedir({title}, {initdir})
2002 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
2003 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2004 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
2005 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
2006 to be used.
2007 The input fields are:
2008 {title} title for the requester
2009 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2010 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2011 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2012
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002013bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
2014 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2015 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002016 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002017 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002018 exactly. The name can be:
2019 - Relative to the current directory.
2020 - A full path.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002021 - The name of a buffer with 'buftype' set to "nofile".
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002022 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002023 Unlisted buffers will be found.
2024 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
2025 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
2026 long name to be able to find them.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002027 bufexists() may report a buffer exists, but to use the name
2028 with a |:buffer| command you may need to use |expand()|. Esp
2029 for MS-Windows 8.3 names in the form "c:\DOCUME~1"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002030 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
2031 file name.
2032 *buffer_exists()*
2033 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
2034
2035buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
2036 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2037 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002038 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002039
2040bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
2041 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2042 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002043 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002044
2045bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
2046 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
2047 ":ls" command.
2048 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
2049 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
2050 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002051 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002052 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
2053 match an empty string is returned.
2054 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
2055 alternate buffer.
2056 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002057 or middle of the buffer name is accepted. If you only want a
2058 full match then put "^" at the start and "$" at the end of the
2059 pattern.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002060 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
2061 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
2062 buffers are searched for.
2063 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
2064 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
2065 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
2066< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
2067 string is returned. >
2068 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
2069 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
2070 bufname("%") name of current buffer
2071 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
2072< *buffer_name()*
2073 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
2074
2075 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002076bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
2077 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002078 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002079 above.
2080 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
2081 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
2082 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002083 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
2084 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
2085< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
2086 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
2087 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
2088 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
2089 *buffer_number()*
2090 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
2091 *last_buffer_nr()*
2092 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
2093
2094bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
2095 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
2096 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002097 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002098 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
2099
2100 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
2101
2102< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
2103 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002104 Only deals with the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002105
2106
2107byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
2108 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
2109 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
2110 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
2111 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
2112 one.
2113 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
2114 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
2115 feature}
2116
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00002117byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
2118 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
2119 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
2120 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
2121 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
2122 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
2123 Example : >
2124 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
2125< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
2126 same: >
2127 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
2128 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
2129< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
2130 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
2131 is returned.
2132
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002133call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002134 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002135 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002136 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002137 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
2138 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002139 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
2140 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002141
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002142ceil({expr}) *ceil()*
2143 Return the smallest integral value greater than or equal to
2144 {expr} as a |Float| (round up).
2145 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2146 Examples: >
2147 echo ceil(1.456)
2148< 2.0 >
2149 echo ceil(-5.456)
2150< -5.0 >
2151 echo ceil(4.0)
2152< 4.0
2153 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2154
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00002155changenr() *changenr()*
2156 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
2157 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
2158 with the |:undo| command.
2159 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
2160 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
2161 one less than the number of the undone change.
2162
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002163char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
2164 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
2165 char2nr(" ") returns 32
2166 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
2167< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002168 char2nr("á") returns 225
2169 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002170< |nr2char()| does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002171
2172cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
2173 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
2174 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
2175 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
2176 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
2177 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
2178 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00002179 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002180
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00002181clearmatches() *clearmatches()*
2182 Clears all matches previously defined by |matchadd()| and the
2183 |:match| commands.
2184
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002185 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00002186col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002187 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2188 . the cursor position
2189 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
2190 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
2191 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2192 returned)
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002193 Additionally {expr} can be [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line
2194 and column number. Most useful when the column is "$", to get
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002195 the last column of a specific line. When "lnum" or "col" is
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002196 out of range then col() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002197 To get the line number use |line()|. To get both use
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002198 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002199 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
2200 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2201 Examples: >
2202 col(".") column of cursor
2203 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
2204 col("'t") column of mark t
2205 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002206< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002207 For an uppercase mark the column may actually be in another
2208 buffer.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002209 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
2210 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
2211 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
2212 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
2213 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
2214 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
2215 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
2216<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002217
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002218complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
2219 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2220 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002221 with CTRL-R = |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O or
2222 with an expression mapping.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002223 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2224 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2225 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2226 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2227 match.
2228 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2229 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2230 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
2231 inserting anything that would completion to stop.
2232 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2233 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2234 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2235 Example: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002236 inoremap <F5> <C-R>=ListMonths()<CR>
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002237
2238 func! ListMonths()
2239 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2240 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2241 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2242 return ''
2243 endfunc
2244< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2245 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2246
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002247complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2248 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2249 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2250 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2251 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2252 the list.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002253 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002254 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002255
2256complete_check() *complete_check()*
2257 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2258 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2259 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2260 zero otherwise.
2261 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2262 'completefunc' option.
2263
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002264 *confirm()*
2265confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2266 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2267 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2268 choice this is 1.
2269 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2270 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
2271 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2272 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2273 used (and translated).
2274 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2275 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
2276 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2277 by '\n', e.g. >
2278 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2279< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2280 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2281 not need to be the first letter: >
2282 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2283< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2284 the default shortcut key.
2285 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2286 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2287 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2288 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002289 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002290 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
2291 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
2292 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
2293 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2294 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2295 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2296
2297 An example: >
2298 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2299 :if choice == 0
2300 : echo "make up your mind!"
2301 :elseif choice == 3
2302 : echo "tasteful"
2303 :else
2304 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2305 :endif
2306< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2307 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002308 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002309 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2310 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2311 the horizontal layout is always used.
2312
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002313 *copy()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002314copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002315 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002316 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2317 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002318 copy, and vice versa. But the items are identical, thus
2319 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002320 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002321
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002322cos({expr}) *cos()*
2323 Return the cosine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
2324 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2325 Examples: >
2326 :echo cos(100)
2327< 0.862319 >
2328 :echo cos(-4.01)
2329< -0.646043
2330 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2331
2332
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002333count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002334 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002335 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002336 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002337 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002338 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2339
2340
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002341 *cscope_connection()*
2342cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2343 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2344 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2345 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2346 if there are no cscope connections;
2347 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2348
2349 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2350 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2351
2352 {num} Description of existence check
2353 ----- ------------------------------
2354 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2355 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2356 {dbpath}.
2357 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2358 {dbpath}.
2359 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2360 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2361 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2362 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2363
2364 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2365
2366 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2367
2368 # pid database name prepend path
2369 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2370<
2371 Invocation Return Val ~
2372 ---------- ---------- >
2373 cscope_connection() 1
2374 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2375 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2376 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2377 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2378 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2379 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2380 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2381<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002382cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2383cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002384 Positions the cursor at the column (byte count) {col} in the
2385 line {lnum}. The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002386 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002387 with two or three items {lnum}, {col} and {off}. This is like
2388 the return value of |getpos()|, but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002389 Does not change the jumplist.
2390 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2391 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2392 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002393 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002394 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2395 line.
2396 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002397 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2398 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00002399 position within a <Tab> or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002400
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002401
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002402deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002403 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002404 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002405 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2406 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002407 copy, and vice versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002408 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002409 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2410 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2411 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2412 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2413 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2414 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002415 *E724*
2416 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002417 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2418 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002419 Also see |copy()|.
2420
2421delete({fname}) *delete()*
2422 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002423 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2424 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002425 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002426
2427 *did_filetype()*
2428did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2429 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2430 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2431 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2432 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2433 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2434 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2435 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2436 file.
2437
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002438diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2439 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2440 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2441 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2442 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2443 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2444 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2445 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2446
2447diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2448 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2449 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2450 diff change zero is returned.
2451 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2452 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2453 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2454 line.
2455 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2456 syntax information about the highlighting.
2457
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002458empty({expr}) *empty()*
2459 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002460 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002461 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002462 For a long |List| this is much faster then comparing the
2463 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002464
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002465escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2466 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2467 backslash. Example: >
2468 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2469< results in: >
2470 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002471< Also see |shellescape()|.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002472
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002473 *eval()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002474eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2475 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002476 This works for Numbers, Floats, Strings and composites of
2477 them. Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing
2478 functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002479
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002480eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2481 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2482 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2483 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2484 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2485
2486executable({expr}) *executable()*
2487 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2488 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002489 arguments.
2490 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2491 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2492 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2493 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002494 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2495 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002496 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002497 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002498 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2499 extension.
2500 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2501 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002502 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2503 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2504 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002505 The result is a Number:
2506 1 exists
2507 0 does not exist
2508 -1 not implemented on this system
2509
2510 *exists()*
2511exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2512 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2513 which contains one of these:
2514 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2515 not if it really works)
2516 +option-name Vim option that works.
2517 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2518 done by comparing with an empty
2519 string)
2520 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2521 or user defined function (see
2522 |user-functions|).
2523 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002524 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002525 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2526 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
2527 that this may cause functions to be
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002528 invoked cause an error message for an
2529 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002530 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2531 command or command modifier |:command|.
2532 Returns:
2533 1 for match with start of a command
2534 2 full match with a command
2535 3 matches several user commands
2536 To check for a supported command
2537 always check the return value to be 2.
Bram Moolenaar14716812006-05-04 21:54:08 +00002538 :2match The |:2match| command.
2539 :3match The |:3match| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002540 #event autocommand defined for this event
2541 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2542 pattern (the pattern is taken
2543 literally and compared to the
2544 autocommand patterns character by
2545 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002546 #group autocommand group exists
2547 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2548 event.
2549 #group#event#pattern
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002550 autocommand defined for this group,
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002551 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002552 ##event autocommand for this event is
2553 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002554 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2555
2556 Examples: >
2557 exists("&shortname")
2558 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2559 exists("*strftime")
2560 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2561 exists("bufcount")
2562 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002563 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002564 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002565 exists("#filetypeindent")
2566 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2567 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002568 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002569< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2570 name.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002571 There must be no extra characters after the name, although in
2572 a few cases this is ignored. That may become more strict in
2573 the future, thus don't count on it!
2574 Working example: >
2575 exists(":make")
2576< NOT working example: >
2577 exists(":make install")
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00002578
2579< Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2580 variable itself. For example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002581 exists(bufcount)
2582< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00002583 but gets the value of "bufcount", and checks if that exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002584
2585expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2586 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2587 The result is a String.
2588
2589 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2590 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2591 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2592
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002593 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002594 for a non-existing file is not included.
2595
2596 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2597 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2598 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2599
2600 % current file name
2601 # alternate file name
2602 #n alternate file name n
2603 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2604 <afile> autocmd file name
2605 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2606 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2607 <sfile> sourced script file name
2608 <cword> word under the cursor
2609 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2610 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2611 message |server2client()|
2612 Modifiers:
2613 :p expand to full path
2614 :h head (last path component removed)
2615 :t tail (last path component only)
2616 :r root (one extension removed)
2617 :e extension only
2618
2619 Example: >
2620 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2621< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2622 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2623 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2624< Use this: >
2625 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2626< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2627 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2628 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2629 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2630 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2631<
2632 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2633 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2634 to modify normal file names.
2635
2636 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2637 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2638 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2639 '/' added.
2640
2641 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2642 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2643 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2644 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002645 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2646 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2647 files in the current directory and below: >
2648 :echo expand("**/README")
2649<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002650 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2651 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002652 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002653 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002654 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002655 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2656 "$FOOBAR".
2657
2658 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2659 getting the raw output of an external command.
2660
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002661extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002662 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
2663 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002664
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002665 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002666 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2667 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2668 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2669 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002670 Examples: >
2671 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2672 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002673< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002674 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002675 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002676<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002677 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002678 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2679 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2680 used to decide what to do:
2681 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2682 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002683 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002684 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2685
2686 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2687 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2688 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2689 Returns {expr1}.
2690
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002691
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002692feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) *feedkeys()*
2693 Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002694 come from a mapping or were typed by the user. They are added
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002695 to the end of the typeahead buffer, thus if a mapping is still
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002696 being executed these characters come after them.
2697 The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
2698 {string}.
2699 To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
2700 and "\..." notation |expr-quote|. For example,
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00002701 feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the <Enter> key. But
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002702 feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
2703 If {mode} is absent, keys are remapped.
2704 {mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00002705 'm' Remap keys. This is default.
2706 'n' Do not remap keys.
2707 't' Handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
2708 if coming from a mapping. This matters for undo,
2709 opening folds, etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002710 Return value is always 0.
2711
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002712filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2713 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2714 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2715 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2716 expression, which is used as a String.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002717 If you don't care about the file being readable you can use
2718 |glob()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002719 *file_readable()*
2720 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2721
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002722
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002723filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2724 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2725 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002726 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If {file} is a
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002727 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2728
2729
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002730filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002731 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002732 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002733 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002734 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002735 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002736 Examples: >
2737 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2738< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2739 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2740< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2741 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002742< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002743
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002744 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2745 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2746 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2747
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002748 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2749 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002750 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002751
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002752< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002753 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2754 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002755
2756
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002757finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar5b6b1ca2007-03-27 08:19:43 +00002758 Find directory {name} in {path}. Supports both downwards and
2759 upwards recursive directory searches. See |file-searching|
2760 for the syntax of {path}.
2761 Returns the path of the first found match. When the found
2762 directory is below the current directory a relative path is
2763 returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002764 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2765 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002766 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00002767 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002768 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002769 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2770
2771findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2772 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002773 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
2774 Example: >
2775 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002776< Searches from the directory of the current file upwards until
2777 it finds the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002778
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002779float2nr({expr}) *float2nr()*
2780 Convert {expr} to a Number by omitting the part after the
2781 decimal point.
2782 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a Number.
2783 When the value of {expr} is out of range for a |Number| the
2784 result is truncated to 0x7fffffff or -0x7fffffff. NaN results
2785 in -0x80000000.
2786 Examples: >
2787 echo float2nr(3.95)
2788< 3 >
2789 echo float2nr(-23.45)
2790< -23 >
2791 echo float2nr(1.0e100)
2792< 2147483647 >
2793 echo float2nr(-1.0e150)
2794< -2147483647 >
2795 echo float2nr(1.0e-100)
2796< 0
2797 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2798
2799
2800floor({expr}) *floor()*
2801 Return the largest integral value less than or equal to
2802 {expr} as a |Float| (round down).
2803 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2804 Examples: >
2805 echo floor(1.856)
2806< 1.0 >
2807 echo floor(-5.456)
2808< -6.0 >
2809 echo floor(4.0)
2810< 4.0
2811 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2812
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002813fnameescape({string}) *fnameescape()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002814 Escape {string} for use as file name command argument. All
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002815 characters that have a special meaning, such as '%' and '|'
2816 are escaped with a backslash.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002817 For most systems the characters escaped are
2818 " \t\n*?[{`$\\%#'\"|!<". For systems where a backslash
2819 appears in a filename, it depends on the value of 'isfname'.
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002820 Example: >
2821 :let fname = 'some str%nge|name'
2822 :exe "edit " . fnameescape(fname)
2823< results in executing: >
2824 edit some\ str\%nge\|name
2825
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002826fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2827 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2828 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2829 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2830 Example: >
2831 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2832< results in: >
2833 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002834< Note: Environment variables don't work in {fname}, use
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002835 |expand()| first then.
2836
2837foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2838 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2839 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2840 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2841
2842foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2843 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2844 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2845 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2846
2847foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2848 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002849 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002850 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2851 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2852 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2853 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2854 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2855 previous line is usually available.
2856
2857 *foldtext()*
2858foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2859 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2860 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2861 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2862 The returned string looks like this: >
2863 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002864< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002865 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2866 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2867 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2868 options is removed.
2869 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2870
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002871foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2872 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2873 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2874 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2875 returned.
2876 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2877 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2878 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2879 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2880
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002881 *foreground()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002882foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002883 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2884 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2885 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2886 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2887 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2888 Win32 console version}
2889
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002890
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002891function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002892 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002893 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2894
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002895
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00002896garbagecollect([at_exit]) *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002897 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002898 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2899 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2900 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2901 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2902 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002903 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
2904 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
2905 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00002906 When the optional "at_exit" argument is one, garbage
2907 collection will also be done when exiting Vim, if it wasn't
2908 done before. This is useful when checking for memory leaks.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002909
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002910get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002911 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002912 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2913 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002914get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002915 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002916 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2917 {default} is omitted.
2918
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002919 *getbufline()*
2920getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002921 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2922 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
2923 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002924
2925 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2926
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002927 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2928 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002929
2930 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002931 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002932
2933 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2934 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002935 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002936 returned.
2937
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002938 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002939 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002940
2941 Example: >
2942 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002943
2944getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2945 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2946 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2947 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002948 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2949 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2950 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002951 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2952 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2953 returned, there is no error message.
2954 Examples: >
2955 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2956 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2957<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002958getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002959 Get a single character from the user or input stream.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002960 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2961 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002962 Return zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002963 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002964 not consumed. Return zero if no character available.
2965
2966 Without {expr} and when {expr} is 0 a whole character or
2967 special key is returned. If it is an 8-bit character, the
2968 result is a number. Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2969 Otherwise a String is returned with the encoded character.
2970 For a special key it's a sequence of bytes starting with 0x80
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00002971 (decimal: 128). This is the same value as the string
2972 "\<Key>", e.g., "\<Left>". The returned value is also a
2973 String when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used that is
2974 not included in the character.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002975
2976 When {expr} is 1 only the first byte is returned. For a
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00002977 one-byte character it is the character itself as a number.
2978 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002979
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00002980 When the user clicks a mouse button, the mouse event will be
2981 returned. The position can then be found in |v:mouse_col|,
2982 |v:mouse_lnum| and |v:mouse_win|. This example positions the
2983 mouse as it would normally happen: >
2984 let c = getchar()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002985 if c == "\<LeftMouse>" && v:mouse_win > 0
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00002986 exe v:mouse_win . "wincmd w"
2987 exe v:mouse_lnum
2988 exe "normal " . v:mouse_col . "|"
2989 endif
2990<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002991 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2992 user that a character has to be typed.
2993 There is no mapping for the character.
2994 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2995 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2996 sequence. Examples: >
2997 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2998 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2999< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
3000 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
3001 :function FindChar()
3002 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
3003 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
3004 : normal l
3005 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
3006 : break
3007 : endif
3008 : endwhile
3009 :endfunction
3010
3011getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
3012 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
3013 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
3014 These values are added together:
3015 2 shift
3016 4 control
3017 8 alt (meta)
3018 16 mouse double click
3019 32 mouse triple click
3020 64 mouse quadruple click
3021 128 Macintosh only: command
3022 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003023 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003024 with no modifier.
3025
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003026getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
3027 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
3028 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
3029 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
3030 Example: >
3031 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003032< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003033
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003034getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003035 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
3036 byte count. The first column is 1.
3037 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
3038 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003039 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
3040
3041getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
3042 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
3043 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003044 : normal Ex command
3045 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
3046 / forward search command
3047 ? backward search command
3048 @ |input()| command
3049 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003050 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
3051 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
3052 otherwise.
3053 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003054
3055 *getcwd()*
3056getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
3057 working directory.
3058
3059getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
3060 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
3061 given file {fname}.
3062 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
3063 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard827ada2007-06-19 15:19:55 +00003064 If the size of {fname} is too big to fit in a Number then -2
3065 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003066
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003067getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
3068 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
3069 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
3070 |hl-Normal|.
3071 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
3072 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
3073 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
3074 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00003075 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003076 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
3077 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003078 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
3079 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003080
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003081getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
3082 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
3083 permissions of the given file {fname}.
3084 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
3085 empty string is returned.
3086 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
3087 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
3088 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
3089 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
3090 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
3091 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
3092< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
3093 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003094
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003095getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
3096 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
3097 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
3098 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
3099 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
3100 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
3101
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003102getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
3103 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
3104 file of the given file {fname}.
3105 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
3106 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
3107 results:
3108 Normal file "file"
3109 Directory "dir"
3110 Symbolic link "link"
3111 Block device "bdev"
3112 Character device "cdev"
3113 Socket "socket"
3114 FIFO "fifo"
3115 All other "other"
3116 Example: >
3117 getftype("/home")
3118< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
3119 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
3120 "file" are returned.
3121
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003122 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003123getline({lnum} [, {end}])
3124 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
3125 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003126 getline(1)
3127< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
3128 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
3129 To get the line under the cursor: >
3130 getline(".")
3131< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
3132 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
3133
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003134 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
3135 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003136 including line {end}.
3137 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
3138 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003139 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003140 Example: >
3141 :let start = line('.')
3142 :let end = search("^$") - 1
3143 :let lines = getline(start, end)
3144
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003145< To get lines from another buffer see |getbufline()|
3146
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00003147getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
3148 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
3149 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
3150 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003151 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
3152 returned. Otherwise, same as getqflist().
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003153
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003154getmatches() *getmatches()*
3155 Returns a |List| with all matches previously defined by
3156 |matchadd()| and the |:match| commands. |getmatches()| is
3157 useful in combination with |setmatches()|, as |setmatches()|
3158 can restore a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|.
3159 Example: >
3160 :echo getmatches()
3161< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3162 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3163 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3164 :let m = getmatches()
3165 :call clearmatches()
3166 :echo getmatches()
3167< [] >
3168 :call setmatches(m)
3169 :echo getmatches()
3170< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3171 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3172 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3173 :unlet m
3174<
3175
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003176getqflist() *getqflist()*
3177 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
3178 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
3179 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
3180 bufname() to get the name
3181 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
3182 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003183 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
3184 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003185 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003186 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003187 text description of the error
3188 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
3189 valid non-zero: recognized error message
3190
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003191 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003192 returned. Quickfix list entries with non-existing buffer
3193 number are returned with "bufnr" set to zero.
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003194
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003195 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
3196 do something with them: >
3197 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
3198 :for d in getqflist()
3199 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
3200 :endfor
3201
3202
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003203getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003204 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003205 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003206 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
3207< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003208 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003209 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
3210 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
3211 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003212 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3213
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003214
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003215getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
3216 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
3217 The value will be one of:
3218 "v" for |characterwise| text
3219 "V" for |linewise| text
3220 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
3221 0 for an empty or unknown register
3222 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
3223 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3224
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003225gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}) *gettabwinvar()*
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003226 Get the value of window-local variable {varname} in window
3227 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
3228 When {varname} starts with "&" get the value of a window-local
3229 option.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003230 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
3231 use |getwinvar()|.
3232 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
3233 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
3234 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
3235 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003236 When {varname} is empty a dictionary with all window-local
3237 variables is returned.
3238 Note that {varname} must be the name without "w:".
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003239 Examples: >
3240 :let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
3241 :echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00003242<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003243 *getwinposx()*
3244getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
3245 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
3246 -1 if the information is not available.
3247
3248 *getwinposy()*
3249getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003250 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003251 information is not available.
3252
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003253getwinvar({winnr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
3254 Like |gettabwinvar()| for the current tabpage.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003255 Examples: >
3256 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
3257 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
3258<
3259 *glob()*
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003260glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. See |wildcards| for the
3261 use of special characters.
3262 The result is a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003263 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
3264 characters.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003265 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
3266 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003267 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
3268 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
3269
3270 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
3271 any external command. Example: >
3272 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
3273 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
3274< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003275 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003276
3277 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
3278 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
3279
3280globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
3281 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
3282 the results. Example: >
3283 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
3284< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
3285 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
3286 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
3287 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
3288 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
3289 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
3290 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
3291 error message.
3292 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
3293 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
3294
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003295 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
3296 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
3297 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
3298 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
3299<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003300 *has()*
3301has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
3302 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
3303 string. See |feature-list| below.
3304 Also see |exists()|.
3305
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003306
3307has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003308 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
3309 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003310
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00003311haslocaldir() *haslocaldir()*
3312 The result is a Number, which is 1 when the current
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003313 window has set a local path via |:lcd|, and 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003314
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003315hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003316 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
3317 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
3318 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
3319 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003320 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00003321 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
3322 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003323 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
3324 buffer are checked for a match.
3325 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
3326 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
3327 n Normal mode
3328 v Visual mode
3329 o Operator-pending mode
3330 i Insert mode
3331 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
3332 c Command-line mode
3333 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
3334
3335 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003336 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003337 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
3338 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
3339 :endif
3340< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
3341 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
3342
3343histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
3344 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
3345 one of: *hist-names*
3346 "cmd" or ":" command line history
3347 "search" or "/" search pattern history
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003348 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003349 "input" or "@" input line history
3350 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
3351 shifted to become the newest entry.
3352 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
3353 otherwise 0 is returned.
3354
3355 Example: >
3356 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
3357 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
3358< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3359
3360histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003361 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003362 for the possible values of {history}.
3363
3364 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003365 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003366 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
3367 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
3368 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
3369 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
3370 if it exists.
3371
3372 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
3373 otherwise 0 is returned.
3374
3375 Examples:
3376 Clear expression register history: >
3377 :call histdel("expr")
3378<
3379 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
3380 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
3381<
3382 The following three are equivalent: >
3383 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
3384 :call histdel("search", -1)
3385 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
3386<
3387 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
3388 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
3389 :call histdel("search", -1)
3390 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
3391
3392histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
3393 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
3394 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
3395 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
3396 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
3397 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
3398
3399 Examples:
3400 Redo the second last search from history. >
3401 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
3402
3403< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
3404 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
3405 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
3406<
3407histnr({history}) *histnr()*
3408 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
3409 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
3410 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
3411
3412 Example: >
3413 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
3414<
3415hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
3416 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
3417 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
3418 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
3419 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
3420 item.
3421 *highlight_exists()*
3422 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
3423
3424 *hlID()*
3425hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
3426 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
3427 zero is returned.
3428 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003429 group. For example, to get the background color of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003430 "Comment" group: >
3431 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
3432< *highlightID()*
3433 Obsolete name: highlightID().
3434
3435hostname() *hostname()*
3436 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003437 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003438 256 characters long are truncated.
3439
3440iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
3441 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
3442 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
3443 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
3444 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
3445 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
3446 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
3447 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
3448 can be done.
3449 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
3450 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
3451 UTF-8 and use: >
3452 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
3453< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
3454 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
3455 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
3456 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
3457
3458 *indent()*
3459indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
3460 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
3461 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
3462 |getline()|.
3463 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
3464
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003465
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003466index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003467 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003468 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003469 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
3470 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003471 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
3472 case must match.
3473 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
3474 Example: >
3475 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003476 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003477
3478
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003479input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003480 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
3481 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
3482 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003483 prompt to start a new line.
3484 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3485 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003486 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003487 for lines typed for input().
3488 Example: >
3489 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3490 : echo "Cheers!"
3491 :endif
3492<
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003493 If the optional {text} is present and not empty, this is used
3494 for the default reply, as if the user typed this. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003495 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3496
3497< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3498 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003499 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003500 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003501 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003502 more information. Example: >
3503 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3504<
3505 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3506 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003507 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3508 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3509 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3510 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3511 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3512 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3513 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3514
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003515 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003516 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3517 :function GetFoo()
3518 : call inputsave()
3519 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3520 : call inputrestore()
3521 :endfunction
3522
3523inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
3524 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
3525 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
3526 Example: >
3527 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3528 :if n != ""
3529 : let &sw = n
3530 :endif
3531< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3532 omitted an empty string is returned.
3533 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3534 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003535 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003536
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003537inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003538 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
3539 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
3540 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003541 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003542 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003543 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3544 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3545 is returned.
3546 Make sure {textlist} has less then 'lines' entries, otherwise
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003547 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003548 the start of the string. And put a prompt in the first item.
3549 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003550 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3551 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3552
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003553inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
3554 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
3555 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3556 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3557 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3558
3559inputsave() *inputsave()*
3560 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3561 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3562 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3563 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3564 many inputrestore() calls.
3565 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3566
3567inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3568 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3569 two exceptions:
3570 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3571 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3572 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3573 |history| stack.
3574 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3575 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003576 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003577
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003578insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003579 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003580 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003581 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003582 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3583 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003584 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003585 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3586 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3587 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003588< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003589 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003590 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003591
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003592isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3593 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3594 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3595 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3596 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3597
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003598islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003599 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3600 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003601 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3602 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003603 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3604 :lockvar 1 alist
3605 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3606 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3607
3608< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003609 message. Use |exists()| to check for existence.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003610
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003611items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003612 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3613 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3614 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3615 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003616
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003617
3618join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3619 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3620 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3621 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3622 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3623 add it there too: >
3624 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003625< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003626 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3627 The opposite function is |split()|.
3628
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003629keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003630 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003631 arbitrary order.
3632
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003633 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003634len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3635 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3636 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003637 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003638 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003639 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3640 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003641 Otherwise an error is given.
3642
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003643 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3644libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3645 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3646 with single argument {argument}.
3647 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3648 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3649 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3650 limited.
3651 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3652 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3653 to Vim.
3654 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3655 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3656 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3657 null-terminated string.
3658 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3659
3660 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3661 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3662 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3663 very probably crash.
3664
3665 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3666 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3667 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3668 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3669 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3670 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3671 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3672 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3673 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3674 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3675
3676 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003677 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003678 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3679 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3680 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3681 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3682 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3683 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3684 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3685 feature is present}
3686 Examples: >
3687 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003688<
3689 *libcallnr()*
3690libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3691 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3692 int instead of a string.
3693 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3694 feature is present}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003695 Examples: >
3696 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003697 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3698 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3699<
3700 *line()*
3701line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3702 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3703 . the cursor position
3704 $ the last line in the current buffer
3705 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3706 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003707 w0 first line visible in current window
3708 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar9ecd0232008-06-20 15:31:51 +00003709 v In Visual mode: the start of the Visual area (the
3710 cursor is the end). When not in Visual mode
3711 returns the cursor position. Differs from |'<| in
3712 that it's updated right away.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003713 Note that a mark in another file can be used. The line number
3714 then applies to another buffer.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003715 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
3716 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003717 Examples: >
3718 line(".") line number of the cursor
3719 line("'t") line number of mark t
3720 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3721< *last-position-jump*
3722 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3723 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003724 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 1 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal! g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003725
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003726line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3727 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3728 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3729 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3730 line returns 1.
3731 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3732 below the last line: >
3733 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3734< This is the file size plus one.
3735 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3736 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3737 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3738
3739lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3740 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3741 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3742 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3743 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3744 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3745 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3746
3747localtime() *localtime()*
3748 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3749 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3750
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003751
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003752log10({expr}) *log10()*
3753 Return the logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10 as a |Float|.
3754 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
3755 Examples: >
3756 :echo log10(1000)
3757< 3.0 >
3758 :echo log10(0.01)
3759< -2.0
3760 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
3761
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003762map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003763 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003764 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3765 {string}.
3766 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003767 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003768 Example: >
3769 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003770< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003771
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003772 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003773 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003774 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3775 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003776
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003777 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3778 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003779 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003780
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003781< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003782 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3783 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003784
3785
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003786maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *maparg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003787 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3788 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003789 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003790 "n" Normal
3791 "v" Visual
3792 "o" Operator-pending
3793 "i" Insert
3794 "c" Cmd-line
3795 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3796 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003797 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003798 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3799 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003800 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3801 command. The returned String has special characters
3802 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3803 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3804 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00003805 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
3806 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
3807 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
3808
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003809
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003810mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003811 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3812 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3813 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003814 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3815 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003816 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3817 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3818
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003819 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003820 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3821 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3822 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3823 mapcheck("b") no no no
3824
3825 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3826 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3827 mapping for {name} exactly.
3828 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3829 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3830 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3831 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3832 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3833 then the global mappings.
3834 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3835 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3836 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3837 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3838 :endif
3839< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3840 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3841
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003842match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003843 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
3844 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003845 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003846 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003847 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3848 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003849 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003850 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3851 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003852 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003853 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003854< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003855 *strpbrk()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003856 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003857 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3858< *strcasestr()*
3859 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3860 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3861 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3862<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003863 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003864 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003865 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003866 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003867 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3868< result is again "4". >
3869 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3870< result is again "4". >
3871 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3872< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003873 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003874 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
3875 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
3876 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
3877 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003878 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3879 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003880 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
3881 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003882
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003883 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003884 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003885 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
3886 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
3887< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003888 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
3889 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003890
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003891 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3892 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003893 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003894 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3895
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003896 *matchadd()* *E798* *E799* *E801*
3897matchadd({group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
3898 Defines a pattern to be highlighted in the current window (a
3899 "match"). It will be highlighted with {group}. Returns an
3900 identification number (ID), which can be used to delete the
3901 match using |matchdelete()|.
3902
3903 The optional {priority} argument assigns a priority to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003904 match. A match with a high priority will have its
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003905 highlighting overrule that of a match with a lower priority.
3906 A priority is specified as an integer (negative numbers are no
3907 exception). If the {priority} argument is not specified, the
3908 default priority is 10. The priority of 'hlsearch' is zero,
3909 hence all matches with a priority greater than zero will
3910 overrule it. Syntax highlighting (see 'syntax') is a separate
3911 mechanism, and regardless of the chosen priority a match will
3912 always overrule syntax highlighting.
3913
3914 The optional {id} argument allows the request for a specific
3915 match ID. If a specified ID is already taken, an error
3916 message will appear and the match will not be added. An ID
3917 is specified as a positive integer (zero excluded). IDs 1, 2
3918 and 3 are reserved for |:match|, |:2match| and |:3match|,
3919 respectively. If the {id} argument is not specified,
3920 |matchadd()| automatically chooses a free ID.
3921
3922 The number of matches is not limited, as it is the case with
3923 the |:match| commands.
3924
3925 Example: >
3926 :highlight MyGroup ctermbg=green guibg=green
3927 :let m = matchadd("MyGroup", "TODO")
3928< Deletion of the pattern: >
3929 :call matchdelete(m)
3930
3931< A list of matches defined by |matchadd()| and |:match| are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003932 available from |getmatches()|. All matches can be deleted in
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003933 one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003934
3935matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003936 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003937 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
3938 Return a |List| with two elements:
3939 The name of the highlight group used
3940 The pattern used.
3941 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
3942 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003943 This is useful to save and restore a |:match|.
3944 Highlighting matches using the |:match| commands are limited
3945 to three matches. |matchadd()| does not have this limitation.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003946
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003947matchdelete({id}) *matchdelete()* *E802* *E803*
3948 Deletes a match with ID {id} previously defined by |matchadd()|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003949 or one of the |:match| commands. Returns 0 if successful,
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003950 otherwise -1. See example for |matchadd()|. All matches can
3951 be deleted in one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003952
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003953matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003954 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3955 the match. Example: >
3956 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3957< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003958 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3959 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3960 do it with matchend(): >
3961 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3962 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3963< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3964
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003965 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3966 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3967< results in "7". >
3968 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3969< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003970 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003971
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003972matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003973 Same as match(), but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003974 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3975 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00003976 in |:substitute|. When an optional submatch didn't match an
3977 empty string is used. Example: >
3978 echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
3979< Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003980 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3981
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003982matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003983 Same as |match()|, but return the matched string. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003984 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3985< results in "ing".
3986 When there is no match "" is returned.
3987 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3988 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3989< results in "ing". >
3990 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3991< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003992 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003993 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003994
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003995 *max()*
3996max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3997 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3998 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003999 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004000
4001 *min()*
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00004002min({list}) Return the minimum value of all items in {list}.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004003 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4004 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004005 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004006
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004007 *mkdir()* *E739*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004008mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
4009 Create directory {name}.
4010 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
4011 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
4012 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
4013 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004014 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004015 for others.
4016 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4017 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4018 :if exists("*mkdir")
4019<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004020 *mode()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004021mode([expr]) Return a string that indicates the current mode.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004022 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
4023 a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then the full mode is
4024 returned, otherwise only the first letter is returned. Note
4025 that " " and "0" are also non-empty strings.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004026
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004027 n Normal
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004028 no Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004029 v Visual by character
4030 V Visual by line
4031 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
4032 s Select by character
4033 S Select by line
4034 CTRL-S Select blockwise
4035 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004036 R Replace |R|
4037 Rv Virtual Replace |gR|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004038 c Command-line
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004039 cv Vim Ex mode |gQ|
4040 ce Normal Ex mode |Q|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004041 r Hit-enter prompt
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004042 rm The -- more -- prompt
4043 r? A |:confirm| query of some sort
4044 ! Shell or external command is executing
4045 This is useful in the 'statusline' option or when used
4046 with |remote_expr()| In most other places it always returns
4047 "c" or "n".
4048 Also see |visualmode()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004049
4050nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
4051 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
4052 that is not blank. Example: >
4053 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
4054< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4055 below it, zero is returned.
4056 See also |prevnonblank()|.
4057
4058nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
4059 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
4060 value {expr}. Examples: >
4061 nr2char(64) returns "@"
4062 nr2char(32) returns " "
4063< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
4064 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
4065< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
4066 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
4067 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004068 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004069
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00004070 *getpid()*
4071getpid() Return a Number which is the process ID of the Vim process.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004072 On Unix and MS-Windows this is a unique number, until Vim
4073 exits. On MS-DOS it's always zero.
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00004074
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004075 *getpos()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004076getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
4077 see |line()|.
4078 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
4079 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4080 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
4081 is the buffer number of the mark.
4082 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4083 column is 1.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004084 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
4085 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00004086 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004087 character.
4088 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
4089 let save_cursor = getpos(".")
4090 MoveTheCursorAround
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004091 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004092< Also see |setpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004093
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004094pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
4095 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
4096 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
4097 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
4098 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
4099 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
4100< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
4101 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
4102
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004103pow({x}, {y}) *pow()*
4104 Return the power of {x} to the exponent {y} as a |Float|.
4105 {x} and {y} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4106 Examples: >
4107 :echo pow(3, 3)
4108< 27.0 >
4109 :echo pow(2, 16)
4110< 65536.0 >
4111 :echo pow(32, 0.20)
4112< 2.0
4113 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4114
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004115prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
4116 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
4117 that is not blank. Example: >
4118 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
4119< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4120 above it, zero is returned.
4121 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
4122
4123
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004124printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
4125 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
4126 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004127 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004128< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004129 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004130
4131 Often used items are:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004132 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004133 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004134 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
4135 %c single byte
4136 %d decimal number
4137 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
4138 %x hex number
4139 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
4140 %X hex number using upper case letters
4141 %o octal number
4142 %f floating point number in the form 123.456
4143 %e floating point number in the form 1.234e3
4144 %E floating point number in the form 1.234E3
4145 %g floating point number, as %f or %e depending on value
4146 %G floating point number, as %f or %E depending on value
4147 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004148
4149 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
4150 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
4151 the result.
4152
4153 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004154 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004155
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004156 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004157
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004158 flags
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004159 Zero or more of the following flags:
4160
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004161 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
4162 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
4163 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
4164 of the number is increased to force the first
4165 character of the output string to a zero (except
4166 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
4167 precision of zero).
4168 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
4169 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
4170 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004171
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004172 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
4173 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
4174 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
4175 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
4176 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004177
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004178 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
4179 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
4180 The converted value is padded on the right with
4181 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
4182 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004183
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004184 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
4185 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004186
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004187 + A sign must always be placed before a number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004188 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004189 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004190
4191 field-width
4192 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004193 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
4194 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
4195 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
4196 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004197
4198 .precision
4199 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
4200 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
4201 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
4202 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
4203 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004204 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004205 For floating point it is the number of digits after
4206 the decimal point.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004207
4208 type
4209 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
4210 be applied, see below.
4211
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004212 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
4213 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004214 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004215 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
4216 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
4217 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004218 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004219< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004220 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004221
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004222 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004223
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004224 *printf-d* *printf-o* *printf-x* *printf-X*
4225 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004226 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
4227 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
4228 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004229 conversions.
4230 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
4231 digits that must appear; if the converted value
4232 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
4233 zeros.
4234 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
4235 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
4236 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
4237 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
4238
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004239 *printf-c*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004240 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
4241 resulting character is written.
4242
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004243 *printf-s*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004244 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
4245 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
4246 specified are used.
4247
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004248 *printf-f* *E807*
4249 f The Float argument is converted into a string of the
4250 form 123.456. The precision specifies the number of
4251 digits after the decimal point. When the precision is
4252 zero the decimal point is omitted. When the precision
4253 is not specified 6 is used. A really big number
4254 (out of range or dividing by zero) results in "inf".
4255 "0.0 / 0.0" results in "nan".
4256 Example: >
4257 echo printf("%.2f", 12.115)
4258< 12.12
4259 Note that roundoff depends on the system libraries.
4260 Use |round()| when in doubt.
4261
4262 *printf-e* *printf-E*
4263 e E The Float argument is converted into a string of the
4264 form 1.234e+03 or 1.234E+03 when using 'E'. The
4265 precision specifies the number of digits after the
4266 decimal point, like with 'f'.
4267
4268 *printf-g* *printf-G*
4269 g G The Float argument is converted like with 'f' if the
4270 value is between 0.001 (inclusive) and 10000000.0
4271 (exclusive). Otherwise 'e' is used for 'g' and 'E'
4272 for 'G'. When no precision is specified superfluous
4273 zeroes and '+' signs are removed, except for the zero
4274 immediately after the decimal point. Thus 10000000.0
4275 results in 1.0e7.
4276
4277 *printf-%*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004278 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
4279 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004280
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004281 Each argument can be Number or String and is converted
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004282 automatically to fit the conversion specifier. Any other
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004283 argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004284
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00004285 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004286 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
4287 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004288 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004289
4290
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004291pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
4292 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
4293 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004294 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
4295 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004296
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004297 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004298range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004299 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004300 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
4301 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
4302 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
4303 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
4304 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00004305 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
4306 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
4307 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004308 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004309 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004310 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
4311 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004312 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00004313 range(0) " []
4314 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004315<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004316 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004317readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004318 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
4319 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004320 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
4321 NL appears somewhere).
4322 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
4323 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
4324 added.
4325 - No CR characters are removed.
4326 Otherwise:
4327 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
4328 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
4329 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004330 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
4331 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
4332 lines of a file: >
4333 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
4334 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
4335 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004336< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
4337 are returned, or as many as there are.
4338 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004339 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
4340 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
4341 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004342 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
4343 the result is an empty list.
4344 Also see |writefile()|.
4345
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004346reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
4347 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
4348 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
4349 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
4350 Without an argument it returns the current time.
4351 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
4352 specified in the argument.
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004353 With two arguments it returns the time passed between {start}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004354 and {end}.
4355 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
4356 reltime().
4357 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
4358
4359reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
4360 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
4361 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
4362 microseconds. Example: >
4363 let start = reltime()
4364 call MyFunction()
4365 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
4366< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
4367 The accuracy depends on the system.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004368 Leading spaces are used to make the string align nicely. You
4369 can use split() to remove it. >
4370 echo split(reltimestr(reltime(start)))[0]
4371< Also see |profiling|.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004372 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
4373
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004374 *remote_expr()* *E449*
4375remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004376 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004377 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004378 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
4379 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
4380 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004381 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
4382 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
4383 remote_read() is stored there.
4384 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4385 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4386 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4387 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
4388 and the result will be the empty string.
4389 Examples: >
4390 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
4391 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
4392<
4393
4394remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
4395 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
4396 This works like: >
4397 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
4398< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
4399 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
4400 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004401 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
4402 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004403 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4404 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
4405 Win32 console version}
4406
4407
4408remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
4409 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
4410 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004411 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004412 name of a variable.
4413 Returns zero if none are available.
4414 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
4415 See also |clientserver|.
4416 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4417 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4418 Examples: >
4419 :let repl = ""
4420 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
4421
4422remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
4423 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
4424 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
4425 See also |clientserver|.
4426 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4427 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4428 Example: >
4429 :echo remote_read(id)
4430<
4431 *remote_send()* *E241*
4432remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004433 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004434 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
4435 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004436 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
4437 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
4438 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004439 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4440 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4441 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4442 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
4443 up the display.
4444 Examples: >
4445 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
4446 \ remote_read(serverid)
4447
4448 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
4449 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
4450 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
4451 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004452<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004453remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004454 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004455 return it.
4456 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
4457 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
4458 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
4459 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
4460 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004461 Example: >
4462 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004463 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004464remove({dict}, {key})
4465 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
4466 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
4467< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
4468
4469 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004470
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004471rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
4472 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
4473 should also work to move files across file systems. The
4474 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
4475 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
4476 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4477
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004478repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
4479 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
4480 result. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004481 :let separator = repeat('-', 80)
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004482< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004483 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004484 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004485 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
4486< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004487
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004488
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004489resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
4490 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
4491 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
4492 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
4493 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
4494 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
4495 stopped after 100 iterations.
4496 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
4497 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
4498 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
4499 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
4500 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
4501
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004502 *reverse()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004503reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004504 {list}.
4505 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4506 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
4507
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004508round({expr}) *round()*
4509 Round off {expr} to a the nearest integral value and return it
4510 as a |Float|. If {expr} lies halfway between two integral
4511 values, then use the larger one (away from zero).
4512 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4513 Examples: >
4514 echo round(0.456)
4515< 0.0 >
4516 echo round(4.5)
4517< 5.0 >
4518 echo round(-4.5)
4519< -5.0
4520 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4521
4522
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004523search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004524 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004525 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004526
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004527 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
4528 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004529 'c' accept a match at the cursor position
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004530 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004531 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004532 'p' return number of matching sub-pattern (see below)
4533 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004534 'w' wrap around the end of the file
4535 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
4536 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
4537
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00004538 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
4539 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
4540 flag.
4541
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004542 'ignorecase', 'smartcase' and 'magic' are used.
4543
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004544 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
4545 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
4546 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
4547 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
4548 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
4549< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
4550 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004551 A zero value is equal to not giving the argument.
4552
4553 When the {timeout} argument is given the search stops when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004554 more than this many milli seconds have passed. Thus when
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004555 {timeout} is 500 the search stops after half a second.
4556 The value must not be negative. A zero value is like not
4557 giving the argument.
4558 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004559
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004560 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
4561 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004562 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
4563 *search()-sub-match*
4564 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
4565 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
4566 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004567 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004568
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004569 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
4570 flag is used.
4571
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004572 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
4573 :let n = 1
4574 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
4575 : exe "argument " . n
4576 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
4577 : " first search to find match at start of file
4578 : normal G$
4579 : let flags = "w"
4580 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004581 : s/foo/bar/g
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004582 : let flags = "W"
4583 : endwhile
4584 : update " write the file if modified
4585 : let n = n + 1
4586 :endwhile
4587<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004588 Example for using some flags: >
4589 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
4590< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
4591 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
4592 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
4593 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
4594 line:
4595 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
4596 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
4597 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
4598 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
4599 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
4600
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004601
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004602searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
4603 Search for the declaration of {name}.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004604
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004605 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
4606 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
4607 first match in the function.
4608
4609 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
4610 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
4611 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
4612
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004613 Moves the cursor to the found match.
4614 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4615 Example: >
4616 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
4617 echo getline('.')
4618 endif
4619<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004620 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004621searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
4622 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004623 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
4624 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
4625 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004626 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
4627 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
4628 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
4629 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
4630 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
4631 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004632
4633 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
4634 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
4635 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
4636 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
4637 typical use is: >
4638 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
4639< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
4640
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004641 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
4642 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004643 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004644 outer pair. Implies the 'W' flag.
4645 'm' Return number of matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004646 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004647 Note: it's nearly always a good idea to use the 'W' flag, to
4648 avoid wrapping around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004649
4650 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
4651 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
4652 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
4653 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
4654 or a string.
4655 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
4656 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
4657 and -1 returned.
4658
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004659 For {stopline} and {timeout} see |search()|.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004660
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004661 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
4662 patterns are used like it's on.
4663
4664 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
4665 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
4666 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
4667 if 1
4668 if 2
4669 endif 2
4670 endif 1
4671< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
4672 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
4673 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004674 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004675 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
4676 "endif 2".
4677 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
4678 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
4679 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
4680 the matching start.
4681
4682 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
4683
4684 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
4685 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
4686
4687< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
4688 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
4689 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
4690 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
4691 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
4692 match.
4693 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
4694
4695 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
4696
4697< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
4698 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
4699 highlighting recognized as strings: >
4700
4701 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
4702 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
4703<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004704 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004705searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
4706 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004707 Same as searchpair(), but returns a |List| with the line and
4708 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4709 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004710 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4711 returns [0, 0].
4712>
4713 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
4714<
4715 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
4716
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004717searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *searchpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004718 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004719 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4720 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
4721 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4722 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004723 Example: >
4724 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
4725
4726< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
4727 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
4728 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
4729< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
4730 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
4731
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004732server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
4733 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
4734 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
4735 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4736 Note:
4737 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004738 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004739 before calling any commands that waits for input.
4740 See also |clientserver|.
4741 Example: >
4742 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
4743<
4744serverlist() *serverlist()*
4745 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
4746 When there are no servers or the information is not available
4747 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
4748 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4749 Example: >
4750 :echo serverlist()
4751<
4752setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
4753 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
4754 {val}.
4755 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
4756 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
4757 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
4758 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
4759 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
4760 Examples: >
4761 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
4762 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
4763< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4764
4765setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
4766 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004767 {pos}. The first position is 1.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004768 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
4769 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004770 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
4771 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
4772 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
4773 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
4774 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004775 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
4776 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
4777 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
4778 line.
4779
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004780setline({lnum}, {text}) *setline()*
4781 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {text}.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004782 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004783 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {text} will be
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004784 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004785 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
4786 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004787 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004788< When {text} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004789 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
4790 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
4791< This is equivalent to: >
4792 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
4793 : call setline(n, l)
4794 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004795< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
4796
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004797setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
4798 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
4799 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004800 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
4801 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004802 Otherwise, same as |setqflist()|.
4803 Also see |location-list|.
4804
4805setmatches({list}) *setmatches()*
4806 Restores a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|. Returns 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004807 if successful, otherwise -1. All current matches are cleared
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004808 before the list is restored. See example for |getmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004809
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004810 *setpos()*
4811setpos({expr}, {list})
4812 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
4813 . the cursor
4814 'x mark x
4815
4816 {list} must be a |List| with four numbers:
4817 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4818
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004819 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004820 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004821 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
4822 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
4823 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004824 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004825
4826 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4827 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark.
4828
4829 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
4830 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00004831 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004832 character.
4833
Bram Moolenaar08250432008-02-13 11:42:46 +00004834 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
4835 An error message is given if {expr} is invalid.
4836
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004837 Also see |getpos()|
4838
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004839 This does not restore the preferred column for moving
4840 vertically. See |winrestview()| for that.
4841
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004842
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004843setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004844 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
4845 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
4846 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
4847 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004848
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004849 bufnr buffer number; must be the number of a valid
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004850 buffer
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004851 filename name of a file; only used when "bufnr" is not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004852 present or it is invalid.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004853 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004854 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004855 col column number
4856 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004857 when zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004858 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004859 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004860 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004861
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004862 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
4863 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
4864 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004865 If the "filename" and "bufnr" entries are not present or
4866 neither the "lnum" or "pattern" entries are present, then the
4867 item will not be handled as an error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004868 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
4869 be used.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004870 Note that the list is not exactly the same as what
4871 |getqflist()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004872
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004873 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
4874 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
4875 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
4876 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
4877 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
4878 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
4879
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004880 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
4881
4882 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
4883 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
4884 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
4885
4886
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004887 *setreg()*
4888setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
4889 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
4890 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
4891 then the value is appended.
4892 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
4893 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
4894 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
4895 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
4896 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
4897 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
4898 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00004899 in the longest line (counting a <Tab> as 1 character).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004900
4901 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
4902 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
4903 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
4904 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4905
4906 Examples: >
4907 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
4908 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
4909 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
4910
4911< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
4912 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004913 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004914 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
4915 ....
4916 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
4917
4918< You can also change the type of a register by appending
4919 nothing: >
4920 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
4921
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004922settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabwinvar()*
4923 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
4924 {val}.
4925 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
4926 use |setwinvar()|.
4927 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004928 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
4929 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
4930 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
4931 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004932 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
4933 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
4934 Examples: >
4935 :call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
4936 :call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
4937< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4938
4939setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
4940 Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004941 Examples: >
4942 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
4943 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004944
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004945shellescape({string} [, {special}]) *shellescape()*
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00004946 Escape {string} for use as shell command argument.
4947 On MS-Windows and MS-DOS, when 'shellslash' is not set, it
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004948 will enclose {string} in double quotes and double all double
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00004949 quotes within {string}.
4950 For other systems, it will enclose {string} in single quotes
4951 and replace all "'" with "'\''".
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004952 When the {special} argument is present and it's a non-zero
4953 Number or a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then special
4954 items such as "%", "#" and "<cword>" will be preceded by a
4955 backslash. This backslash will be removed again by the |:!|
4956 command.
4957 Example of use with a |:!| command: >
4958 :exe '!dir ' . shellescape(expand('<cfile>'), 1)
4959< This results in a directory listing for the file under the
4960 cursor. Example of use with |system()|: >
4961 :call system("chmod +w -- " . shellescape(expand("%")))
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00004962
4963
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004964simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
4965 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
4966 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
4967 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
4968 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
4969 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
4970 not removed either.
4971 Example: >
4972 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
4973< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
4974 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
4975 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
4976 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
4977 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
4978
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004979
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004980sin({expr}) *sin()*
4981 Return the sine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
4982 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4983 Examples: >
4984 :echo sin(100)
4985< -0.506366 >
4986 :echo sin(-4.01)
4987< 0.763301
4988 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4989
4990
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004991sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004992 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
4993 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4994 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
4995< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004996 Numbers sort after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004997 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004998 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004999 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
5000 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005001 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
5002 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
5003 sorts before the second one. Example: >
5004 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
5005 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
5006 endfunc
5007 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005008<
5009
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00005010 *soundfold()*
5011soundfold({word})
5012 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005013 language in 'spelllang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00005014 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
5015 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00005016 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
5017 the method can be quite slow.
5018
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005019 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00005020spellbadword([{sentence}])
5021 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
5022 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
5023 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
5024 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
5025
5026 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
5027 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
5028 result is an empty string.
5029
5030 The return value is a list with two items:
5031 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
5032 - The type of the spelling error:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005033 "bad" spelling mistake
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00005034 "rare" rare word
5035 "local" word only valid in another region
5036 "caps" word should start with Capital
5037 Example: >
5038 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
5039< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
5040
5041 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
5042 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
5043 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005044
5045 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005046spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005047 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005048 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
5049 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
5050
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005051 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
5052 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
5053 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
5054
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005055 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
5056 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00005057 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
5058 replace a line.
5059
5060 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005061 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
5062 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005063
5064 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00005065 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
5066 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005067
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005068
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005069split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005070 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
5071 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
5072 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005073 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005074 removing the matched characters.
5075 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
5076 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00005077 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
5078 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005079 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005080 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005081< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005082 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00005083< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
5084 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
5085< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005086 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
5087 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
5088< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005089
5090
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005091sqrt({expr}) *sqrt()*
5092 Return the non-negative square root of Float {expr} as a
5093 |Float|.
5094 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|. When {expr}
5095 is negative the result is NaN (Not a Number).
5096 Examples: >
5097 :echo sqrt(100)
5098< 10.0 >
5099 :echo sqrt(-4.01)
5100< nan
5101 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5102
5103
5104str2float( {expr}) *str2float()*
5105 Convert String {expr} to a Float. This mostly works the same
5106 as when using a floating point number in an expression, see
5107 |floating-point-format|. But it's a bit more permissive.
5108 E.g., "1e40" is accepted, while in an expression you need to
5109 write "1.0e40".
5110 Text after the number is silently ignored.
5111 The decimal point is always '.', no matter what the locale is
5112 set to. A comma ends the number: "12,345.67" is converted to
5113 12.0. You can strip out thousands separators with
5114 |substitute()|: >
5115 let f = str2float(substitute(text, ',', '', 'g'))
5116< {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5117
5118
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00005119str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
5120 Convert string {expr} to a number.
5121 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 8, 10 or 16.
5122 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
5123 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
5124 with the default String to Number conversion.
5125 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
5126 different base the result will be zero.
5127 Text after the number is silently ignored.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005128
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00005129
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005130strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
5131 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
5132 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
5133 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
5134 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
5135 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
5136 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
5137 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
5138 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
5139 Examples: >
5140 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
5141 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
5142 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
5143 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
5144 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
5145 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005146< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
5147 :if exists("*strftime")
5148
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005149stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
5150 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
5151 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005152 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
5153 This can be used to find a second match: >
5154 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
5155 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
5156< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005157 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005158 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005159 See also |strridx()|.
5160 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005161 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
5162 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
5163 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005164< *strstr()* *strchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005165 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
5166 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
5167
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005168 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005169string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005170 Float, String or a composition of them, then the result can be
5171 parsed back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005172 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005173 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005174 Number 123
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005175 Float 123.123456 or 1.123456e8
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005176 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005177 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00005178 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005179 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005180 Also see |strtrans()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005181
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005182 *strlen()*
5183strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00005184 {expr} in bytes.
5185 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
5186 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005187
5188 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00005189<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005190 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
5191 For other types an error is given.
5192 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005193
5194strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
5195 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00005196 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005197 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
5198 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
5199 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
5200 end of the {src}. >
5201 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
5202 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
5203 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005204 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005205< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
5206 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00005207 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005208<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005209strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
5210 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
5211 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
5212 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
5213 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
5214 match: >
5215 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
5216 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
5217< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005218 For pattern searches use |match()|.
5219 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00005220 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005221 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005222 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005223< *strrchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005224 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
5225 function strrchr().
5226
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005227strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
5228 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
5229 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
5230 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
5231 echo strtrans(@a)
5232< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
5233 starting a new line.
5234
5235submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
5236 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
5237 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
5238 the whole matched text is returned.
5239 Example: >
5240 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
5241< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
5242 A line break is included as a newline character.
5243
5244substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
5245 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
5246 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
5247 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
5248 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
5249 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005250 'ignorecase' is still relevant. 'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005251 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
5252 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
5253 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005254 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005255 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
5256 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
5257 unmodified.
5258 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
5259 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
5260 Example: >
5261 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
5262< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
5263 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
5264< results in "TESTING".
5265
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005266synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005267 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005268 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005269 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
5270 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00005271
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005272 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00005273 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
5274
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005275 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005276 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005277 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
5278 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
5279 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
5280 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
5281 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
5282
5283 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
5284 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
5285<
5286synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
5287 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
5288 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
5289 about a syntax item.
5290 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005291 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005292 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
5293 used (GUI, cterm or term).
5294 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
5295 {what} result
5296 "name" the name of the syntax item
5297 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
5298 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
5299 term: empty string)
5300 "bg" background color (like "fg")
5301 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
5302 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
5303 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
5304 "bold" "1" if bold
5305 "italic" "1" if italic
5306 "reverse" "1" if reverse
5307 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
5308 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005309 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005310
5311 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
5312 cursor): >
5313 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
5314<
5315synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
5316 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
5317 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
5318 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
5319 ":highlight link" are followed.
5320
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005321synstack({lnum}, {col}) *synstack()*
5322 Return a |List|, which is the stack of syntax items at the
5323 position {lnum} and {col} in the current window. Each item in
5324 the List is an ID like what |synID()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005325 The first item in the List is the outer region, following are
5326 items contained in that one. The last one is what |synID()|
5327 returns, unless not the whole item is highlighted or it is a
5328 transparent item.
5329 This function is useful for debugging a syntax file.
5330 Example that shows the syntax stack under the cursor: >
5331 for id in synstack(line("."), col("."))
5332 echo synIDattr(id, "name")
5333 endfor
5334
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00005335system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
5336 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
5337 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
5338 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
5339 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005340 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005341 Note: Use |shellescape()| to escape special characters in a
5342 command argument. Newlines in {expr} may cause the command to
5343 fail. The characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may
5344 also cause trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005345 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005346
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005347 The result is a String. Example: >
5348 :let files = system("ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h')))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005349
5350< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
5351 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
5352 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
5353 The command executed is constructed using several options:
5354 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
5355 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
5356 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
5357 concatenated commands.
5358
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005359 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
5360 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
5361
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005362 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
5363 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00005364
5365 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
5366 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
5367 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005368 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
5369 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
5370
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005371
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005372tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005373 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005374 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
5375 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
5376 omitted the current tab page is used.
5377 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
5378 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
5379 tablist = []
5380 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
5381 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
5382 endfor
5383< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
5384
5385
5386tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00005387 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
5388 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
5389 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
5390 page is returned (the tab page count).
5391 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
5392
5393
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005394tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
5395 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {arg}.
5396 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
5397 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
5398 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
5399 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
5400 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
5401 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
5402 Useful examples: >
5403 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
5404 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
5405< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
5406
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00005407 *tagfiles()*
5408tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
5409 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
5410
5411
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005412taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
5413 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00005414 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
5415 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005416 name Name of the tag.
5417 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005418 defined. It is either relative to the
5419 current directory or a full path.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005420 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
5421 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005422 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005423 entry depends on the language specific
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005424 kind values. Only available when
5425 using a tags file generated by
5426 Exuberant ctags or hdrtag.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005427 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005428 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005429 More entries may be present, depending on the content of the
5430 tags file: access, implementation, inherits and signature.
5431 Refer to the ctags documentation for information about these
5432 fields. For C code the fields "struct", "class" and "enum"
5433 may appear, they give the name of the entity the tag is
5434 contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005435
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00005436 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
5437 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005438
5439 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
5440
5441 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
5442 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
5443 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
5444
5445 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
5446 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
5447 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
5448
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005449tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
5450 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005451 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005452 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
5453 :let tmpfile = tempname()
5454 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
5455< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
5456 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
5457 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
5458 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
5459 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
5460 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
5461
5462tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
5463 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
5464 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
5465 the string).
5466
5467toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
5468 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
5469 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
5470 the string).
5471
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00005472tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
5473 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
5474 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
5475 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
5476 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
5477 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
5478 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
5479
5480 Examples: >
5481 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
5482< returns "Hello THere" >
5483 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
5484< returns "{blob}"
5485
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005486trunc({expr}) *trunc()*
5487 Return the largest integral value with magnituted less than or
5488 equal to {expr} as a |Float| (truncate towards zero).
5489 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5490 Examples: >
5491 echo trunc(1.456)
5492< 1.0 >
5493 echo trunc(-5.456)
5494< -5.0 >
5495 echo trunc(4.0)
5496< 4.0
5497 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5498
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005499 *type()*
5500type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005501 Number: 0
5502 String: 1
5503 Funcref: 2
5504 List: 3
5505 Dictionary: 4
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005506 Float: 5
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005507 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005508 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
5509 :if type(myvar) == type("")
5510 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
5511 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005512 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005513 :if type(myvar) == type(0.0)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005514
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005515values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005516 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005517 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005518
5519
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005520virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
5521 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
5522 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
5523 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
5524 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
5525 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
5526 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
5527 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00005528 For the byte position use |col()|.
5529 For the use of {expr} see |col()|.
5530 When 'virtualedit' is used {expr} can be [lnum, col, off], where
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005531 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005532 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005533 character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005534 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
5535 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
5536 The accepted positions are:
5537 . the cursor position
5538 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
5539 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
5540 plus one)
5541 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
5542 returned)
5543 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
5544 Examples: >
5545 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
5546 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005547 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
5548< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005549 A more advanced example that echoes the maximum length of
5550 all lines: >
5551 echo max(map(range(1, line('$')), "virtcol([v:val, '$'])"))
5552
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005553
5554visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
5555 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005556 used in the current buffer. Initially it returns an empty
5557 string, but once Visual mode has been used, it returns "v",
5558 "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a single CTRL-V character) for
5559 character-wise, line-wise, or block-wise Visual mode
5560 respectively.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005561 Example: >
5562 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
5563< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
5564 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
5565 Visual mode that was used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005566 If Visual mode is active, use |mode()| to get the Visual mode
5567 (e.g., in a |:vmap|).
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005568 *non-zero-arg*
5569 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
5570 a non-empty String, then the Visual mode will be cleared and
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005571 the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005572 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared. A List,
5573 Dictionary or Float is not a Number or String, thus does not
5574 cause the mode to be cleared.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005575
5576 *winbufnr()*
5577winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005578 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005579 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
5580 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5581 Example: >
5582 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
5583<
5584 *wincol()*
5585wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
5586 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
5587 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
5588
5589winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
5590 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
5591 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
5592 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5593 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
5594 Examples: >
5595 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
5596<
5597 *winline()*
5598winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005599 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005600 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00005601 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
5602 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005603
5604 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005605winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
5606 window. The top window has number 1.
5607 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00005608 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005609 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
5610 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005611 If there is no previous window or it is in another tab page 0
5612 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005613 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
5614 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005615 Also see |tabpagewinnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005616
5617 *winrestcmd()*
5618winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
5619 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005620 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
5621 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005622 Example: >
5623 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
5624 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
5625 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005626<
5627 *winrestview()*
5628winrestview({dict})
5629 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
5630 the view of the current window.
5631 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
5632 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
5633
5634 *winsaveview()*
5635winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
5636 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
5637 restore the view.
5638 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
5639 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
5640 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005641 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
5642 not opened when moving around.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005643 The return value includes:
5644 lnum cursor line number
5645 col cursor column
5646 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
5647 curswant column for vertical movement
5648 topline first line in the window
5649 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
5650 leftcol first column displayed
5651 skipcol columns skipped
5652 Note that no option values are saved.
5653
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005654
5655winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
5656 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
5657 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
5658 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5659 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
5660 Examples: >
5661 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
5662 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
5663 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
5664 :endif
5665<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005666 *writefile()*
5667writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005668 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005669 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
5670 Number.
5671 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
5672 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
5673 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
5674 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
5675 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
5676 to writefile().
5677 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
5678 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
5679 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
5680 fails.
5681 Also see |readfile()|.
5682 To copy a file byte for byte: >
5683 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
5684 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
5685<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005686
5687 *feature-list*
5688There are three types of features:
56891. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
5690 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
5691 :if has("cindent")
56922. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
5693 Example: >
5694 :if has("gui_running")
5695< *has-patch*
56963. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
5697 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
5698 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
5699 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005700< Note that it's possible for patch 147 to be omitted even though 148 is
5701 included.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005702
5703all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
5704amiga Amiga version of Vim.
5705arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
5706arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00005707autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005708balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00005709balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005710beos BeOS version of Vim.
5711browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
5712 work.
5713builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
5714byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
5715cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
5716clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
5717clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
5718cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
5719cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
5720cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
5721comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
5722cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
5723cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
5724compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
5725debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
5726dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
5727dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
5728diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
5729digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
5730dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
5731dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
5732dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
5733ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
5734emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
5735eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
5736 true, of course!
5737ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
5738extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
5739 |'hlsearch'|
5740farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
5741file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005742filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
5743 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005744find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
5745 |+find_in_path|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005746float Compiled with support for |Float|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005747fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
5748 Windows this is not present).
5749folding Compiled with |folding| support.
5750footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
5751fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
5752gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
5753gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
5754gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005755gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
5756gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005757gui_gnome Compiled with Gnome support (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005758gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
5759gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
5760gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
5761gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
5762gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
5763gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
5764hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
5765iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
5766insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
5767 Insert mode.
5768jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
5769keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
5770langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
5771libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
5772linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
5773 support.
5774lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
5775listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
5776 and the argument list |arglist|.
5777localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
5778mac Macintosh version of Vim.
5779macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
5780menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
5781mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
5782modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
5783mouse Compiled with support mouse.
5784mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
5785mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
5786mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
5787mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
5788mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005789mouse_sysmouse Compiled with support for sysmouse (*BSD console mouse)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005790mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
5791multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
5792multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
5793multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00005794mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005795netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00005796netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005797ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
5798os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
5799osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
5800path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
5801perl Compiled with Perl interface.
5802postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
5803printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005804profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005805python Compiled with Python interface.
5806qnx QNX version of Vim.
5807quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00005808reltime Compiled with |reltime()| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005809rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
5810ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
5811scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
5812showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
5813signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
5814smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00005815sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005816statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
5817 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
5818sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00005819spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
5820syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005821syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
5822 current buffer.
5823system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
5824tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
5825 |tag-binary-search|.
5826tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
5827 |tag-old-static|.
5828tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
5829 files |tag-any-white|.
5830tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
5831terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
5832termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
5833textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
5834tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
5835 or terminfo file.
5836title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
5837toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
5838unix Unix version of Vim.
5839user_commands User-defined commands.
5840viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
5841vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
5842vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
5843virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
5844visual Compiled with Visual mode.
5845visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
5846 |blockwise-operators|.
5847vms VMS version of Vim.
5848vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
5849wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
5850wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
5851windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
5852winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
5853win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
5854win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
5855win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
5856win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
5857win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
5858writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
5859xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
5860xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
5861xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
5862xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
5863xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
5864xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
5865 xterm screen.
5866x11 Compiled with X11 support.
5867
5868 *string-match*
5869Matching a pattern in a String
5870
5871A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
5872the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
5873everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
5874like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
5875line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
5876with ".". Example: >
5877 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
5878 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
5879 aa
5880 xx
5881 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
5882 a
5883 x
5884
5885Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
5886"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
5887"\n".
5888
5889==============================================================================
58905. Defining functions *user-functions*
5891
5892New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
5893functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
5894commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
5895
5896The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
5897builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
5898avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
5899the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
5900
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005901It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
5902|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005903
5904 *local-function*
5905A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
5906can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
5907and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
5908function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
5909instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
5910
5911 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
5912:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
5913
5914:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005915 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5916 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005917 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005918
5919:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
5920 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
5921 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005922<
5923 *:function-verbose*
5924When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
5925last defined. Example: >
5926
5927 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
5928 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
5929 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
5930<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00005931See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005932
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005933 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005934:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005935 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
5936 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
5937 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005938
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005939 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5940 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005941 :function dict.init(arg)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005942< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005943 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005944 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005945 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
5946 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
5947 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005948 *E127* *E122*
5949 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
5950 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
5951 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
5952 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005953
5954 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
5955
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005956 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
5957 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
5958 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
5959 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
5960 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
5961 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
5962 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005963
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005964 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
5965 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005966
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005967 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005968 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005969 local variable "self" will then be set to the
5970 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005971
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005972 *function-search-undo*
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00005973 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005974 will not be changed by the function. This also
5975 implies that the effect of |:nohlsearch| is undone
5976 when the function returns.
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00005977
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005978 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
5979:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
5980 by its own, without other commands.
5981
5982 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
5983:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005984 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5985 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005986 :delfunc dict.init
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005987< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005988 function is deleted if there are no more references to
5989 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005990 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
5991:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
5992 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
5993 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
5994 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
5995 the number 0 is returned.
5996 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
5997 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
5998
5999 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
6000 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
6001 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
6002 are executed first. This process applies to all
6003 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
6004 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
6005
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006006 *function-argument* *a:var*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006007An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006008be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006009 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740* *...*
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006010Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
6011arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
6012may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
6013as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006014can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
6015that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006016 *E742*
6017The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006018However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can changes their contents.
6019Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
6020it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
6021|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006022
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006023When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
6024to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
6025may be larger.
6026
6027It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
6028still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
6029until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
6030inside a function body.
6031
6032 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006033Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
6034will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
6035accessed with "g:".
6036
6037Example: >
6038 :function Table(title, ...)
6039 : echohl Title
6040 : echo a:title
6041 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006042 : echo a:0 . " items:"
6043 : for s in a:000
6044 : echon ' ' . s
6045 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006046 :endfunction
6047
6048This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006049 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
6050 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006051
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006052To return more than one value, return a |List|: >
6053 :function Compute(n1, n2)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006054 : if a:n2 == 0
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006055 : return ["fail", 0]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006056 : endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006057 : return ["ok", a:n1 / a:n2]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006058 :endfunction
6059
6060This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006061 :let [success, div] = Compute(102, 6)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006062 :if success == "ok"
6063 : echo div
6064 :endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006065<
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00006066 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006067:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
6068 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
6069 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006070 used. The returned value is discarded.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006071 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
6072 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
6073 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
6074 function.
6075 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
6076 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
6077 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
6078 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006079 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006080 this works:
6081 *function-range-example* >
6082 :function Mynumber(arg)
6083 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
6084 :endfunction
6085 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
6086<
6087 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
6088 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
6089 the range.
6090
6091 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
6092
6093 :function Cont() range
6094 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
6095 :endfunction
6096 :4,8call Cont()
6097<
6098 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
6099 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
6100
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006101 When the function returns a composite value it can be further
6102 dereferenced, but the range will not be used then. Example: >
6103 :4,8call GetDict().method()
6104< Here GetDict() gets the range but method() does not.
6105
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006106 *E132*
6107The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
6108option.
6109
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006110
6111AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006112 *autoload-functions*
6113When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006114only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
6115the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
6116
6117
6118Using an autocommand ~
6119
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006120This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
6121
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006122The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
6123You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006124That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006125again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
6126
6127Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
6128function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006129
6130 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
6131
6132The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
6133"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
6134
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006135
6136Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006137 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006138This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
6139
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006140Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
6141exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
6142like this: >
6143
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006144 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006145
6146When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
6147"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
6148"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
6149then define the function like this: >
6150
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006151 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006152 echo "Done!"
6153 endfunction
6154
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00006155The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006156exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
6157called.
6158
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006159It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
6160a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006161
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006162 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006163
6164Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
6165
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006166This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
6167
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006168 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006169
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00006170However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
6171for an unknown variable.
6172
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006173When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
6174be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
6175
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006176 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
6177 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006178
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00006179Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
6180defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
6181function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006182And you will get an error message every time.
6183
6184Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006185other and vice versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006186Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006187
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00006188Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
6189|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
6190
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006191==============================================================================
61926. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
6193
6194Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
6195This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
6196{} like this: >
6197 my_{adjective}_variable
6198
6199When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
6200that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
6201name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
6202"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
6203"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
6204
6205One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006206value. For example, the statement >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006207 echo my_{&background}_message
6208
6209would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
6210on the current value of 'background'.
6211
6212You can use multiple brace pairs: >
6213 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
6214..or even nest them: >
6215 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
6216where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
6217
6218However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00006219variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006220 :let foo='a + b'
6221 :echo c{foo}d
6222.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
6223
6224 *curly-braces-function-names*
6225You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
6226Example: >
6227 :let func_end='whizz'
6228 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
6229
6230This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
6231
6232==============================================================================
62337. Commands *expression-commands*
6234
6235:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
6236 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
6237 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
6238 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
6239 is created.
6240
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00006241:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
6242 Set a list item to the result of the expression
6243 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
6244 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
6245 the index can be repeated.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006246 This cannot be used to add an item to a |List|.
6247 This cannot be used to set a byte in a String. You
6248 can do that like this: >
6249 :let var = var[0:2] . 'X' . var[4:]
6250<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006251 *E711* *E719*
6252:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006253 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
6254 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006255 correct number of items.
6256 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
6257 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
6258 When the selected range of items is partly past the
6259 end of the list, items will be added.
6260
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00006261 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006262:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
6263:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
6264:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
6265 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
6266 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
6267
6268
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006269:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
6270 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
6271 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006272:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
6273 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
6274 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
6275 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006276
6277:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
6278 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
6279 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
6280 must be the name of a writable register (see
6281 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
6282 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
6283 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
6284 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
6285 characterwise.
6286 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
6287 :let @/ = ""
6288< This is different from searching for an empty string,
6289 that would match everywhere.
6290
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006291:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006292 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006293 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
6294
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006295:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-&*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006296 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006297 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
6298 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006299 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
6300 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00006301 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006302 Example: >
6303 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006304
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006305:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
6306 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
6307 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
6308
6309:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
6310:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
6311 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
6312 {expr1}.
6313
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006314:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006315:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
6316:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
6317:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006318 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
6319 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
6320
6321:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006322:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
6323:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
6324:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006325 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
6326 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
6327
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00006328:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006329 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006330 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
6331 {name2}, etc.
6332 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006333 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006334 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
6335 command as mentioned above.
6336 Example: >
6337 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006338< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
6339 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
6340 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
6341 :let x = [0, 1]
6342 :let i = 0
6343 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
6344 :echo x
6345< The result is [0, 2].
6346
6347:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
6348:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
6349:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
6350 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006351 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006352
6353:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006354 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006355 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
6356 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
6357 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006358 Example: >
6359 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
6360<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006361:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
6362:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
6363:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
6364 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006365 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006366 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006367:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00006368 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
6369 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00006370 g: global variables
6371 b: local buffer variables
6372 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00006373 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00006374 s: script-local variables
6375 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00006376 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006377
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00006378:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
6379 variable is indicated before the value:
6380 <nothing> String
6381 # Number
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006382 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006383
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006384
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006385:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108* *E795*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006386 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
6387 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006388 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006389 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
6390 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006391 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00006392 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
6393 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006394< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00006395 :unlet dict['two']
6396 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006397
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006398:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
6399 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
6400 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
6401 A locked variable can be deleted: >
6402 :lockvar v
6403 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
6404 :unlet v
6405< *E741*
6406 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
6407 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
6408
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006409 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
6410 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
6411 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006412 cannot add or remove items, but can
6413 still change their values.
6414 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006415 the items. If an item is a |List| or
6416 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006417 items, but can still change the
6418 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006419 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
6420 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
6421 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
6422 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
6423 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006424 *E743*
6425 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
6426 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
6427 loops.
6428
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006429 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
6430 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00006431 locked when used through the other variable.
6432 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006433 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
6434 :let cl = l
6435 :lockvar l
6436 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
6437< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
6438 See |deepcopy()|.
6439
6440
6441:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
6442 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
6443 opposite of |:lockvar|.
6444
6445
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006446:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
6447:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6448 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6449
6450 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
6451 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
6452 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
6453 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
6454 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
6455 part was not executed either.
6456
6457 You can use this to remain compatible with older
6458 versions: >
6459 :if version >= 500
6460 : version-5-specific-commands
6461 :endif
6462< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
6463 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
6464 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
6465 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
6466 avoid problems: >
6467 :if version >= 600
6468 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
6469 :endif
6470<
6471 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
6472 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
6473
6474 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
6475:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6476 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
6477 executed.
6478
6479 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
6480:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
6481 is no extra ":endif".
6482
6483:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006484 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006485:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
6486 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6487 When an error is detected from a command inside the
6488 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006489 Example: >
6490 :let lnum = 1
6491 :while lnum <= line("$")
6492 :call FixLine(lnum)
6493 :let lnum = lnum + 1
6494 :endwhile
6495<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006496 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006497 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006498
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006499:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006500:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
6501 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006502 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006503 value of each item.
6504 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006505 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00006506 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
6507 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006508 :for item in copy(mylist)
6509< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
6510 next item in the list, before executing the commands
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006511 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006512 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
6513 it will not be found. Thus the following example
6514 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
6515 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006516 :call remove(mylist, 0)
6517 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006518< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
6519 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
6520 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006521 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
6522 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
6523 to allow multiple item types.
6524
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006525:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
6526:endfo[r]
6527 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
6528 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
6529 {var2}, etc. Example: >
6530 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
6531 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
6532 :endfor
6533<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006534 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006535:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
6536 to the start of the loop.
6537 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6538 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6539 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6540 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6541 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6542 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006543
6544 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006545:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
6546 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
6547 ":endfor".
6548 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6549 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6550 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6551 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6552 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6553 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006554
6555:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
6556:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
6557 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
6558 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
6559 or autocommand invocations.
6560
6561 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
6562 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
6563 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
6564 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
6565 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
6566 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
6567 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
6568 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
6569 Example: >
6570 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
6571 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
6572<
6573 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
6574 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
6575 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
6576 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
6577 processing is not terminated.
6578
6579 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
6580 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
6581 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
6582 other errors are converted to a value of the form
6583 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
6584 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
6585 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
6586 the error number.
6587 Examples: >
6588 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
6589 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
6590<
6591 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
6592:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
6593 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
6594 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
6595 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
6596 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
6597 commands are skipped.
6598 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
6599 Examples: >
6600 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
6601 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
6602 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
6603 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
6604 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
6605 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
6606 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
6607 :catch " same as /.*/
6608<
6609 Another character can be used instead of / around the
6610 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
6611 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
6612 {pattern}.
6613 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
6614 an error message because it may vary in different
6615 locales.
6616
6617 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
6618:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
6619 are executed whenever the part between the matching
6620 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
6621 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
6622 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
6623 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
6624
6625 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
6626:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
6627 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
6628 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
6629 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
6630 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
6631 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
6632 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
6633 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
6634 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
6635 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
6636 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
6637 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
6638 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
6639 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
6640 is terminated.
6641 Example: >
6642 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
6643<
6644
6645 *:ec* *:echo*
6646:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
6647 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
6648 Also see |:comment|.
6649 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
6650 cursor to the first column.
6651 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6652 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6653 Example: >
6654 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006655< *:echo-redraw*
6656 A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
6657 And since Vim mostly postpones redrawing until it's
6658 finished with a sequence of commands this happens
6659 quite often. To avoid that a command from before the
6660 ":echo" causes a redraw afterwards (redraws are often
6661 postponed until you type something), force a redraw
6662 with the |:redraw| command. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006663 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
6664<
6665 *:echon*
6666:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
6667 |:comment|.
6668 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6669 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6670 Example: >
6671 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
6672<
6673 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
6674 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
6675 command: >
6676 :!echo % --> filename
6677< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
6678 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
6679< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
6680 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
6681 :echo % --> nothing
6682< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
6683 :echo "%" --> %
6684< This just echoes the '%' character. >
6685 :echo expand("%") --> filename
6686< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
6687
6688 *:echoh* *:echohl*
6689:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
6690 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
6691 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
6692 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
6693< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
6694 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
6695
6696 *:echom* *:echomsg*
6697:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
6698 message in the |message-history|.
6699 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6700 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
6701 displayed, not interpreted.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006702 The parsing works slightly different from |:echo|,
6703 more like |:execute|. All the expressions are first
6704 evaluated and concatenated before echoing anything.
6705 The expressions must evaluate to a Number or String, a
6706 Dictionary or List causes an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006707 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6708 Example: >
6709 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006710< See |:echo-redraw| to avoid the message disappearing
6711 when the screen is redrawn.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006712 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
6713:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
6714 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
6715 script or function the line number will be added.
6716 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006717 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006718 the message is raised as an error exception instead
6719 (see |try-echoerr|).
6720 Example: >
6721 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
6722< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
6723 And to get a beep: >
6724 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
6725<
6726 *:exe* *:execute*
6727:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
6728 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006729 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006730 used as the processed command, command line editing
6731 keys are not recognized.
6732 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6733 Examples: >
6734 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
6735 :execute "normal " count . "w"
6736<
6737 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
6738 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
6739 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
6740
6741< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
6742 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
6743 command: >
6744 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
6745< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
6746
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006747 Be careful to correctly escape special characters in
6748 file names. The |fnameescape()| function can be used
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00006749 for Vim commands, |shellescape()| for |:!| commands.
6750 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006751 :execute "e " . fnameescape(filename)
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00006752 :execute "!ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h'), 1)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006753<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006754 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006755 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
6756 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006757 :execute 'while i > 5'
6758 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
6759<
6760 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
6761 completely in the executed string: >
6762 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
6763<
6764
6765 *:comment*
6766 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
6767 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
6768 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
6769 comment. Example: >
6770 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
6771
6772==============================================================================
67738. Exception handling *exception-handling*
6774
6775The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
6776explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
6777
6778Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
6779|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
6780exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
6781
6782
6783TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
6784
6785Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
6786use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
6787a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
6788 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
6789|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
6790a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
6791be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
6792which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
6793clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
6794
6795 :try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006796 : ...
6797 : ... TRY BLOCK
6798 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006799 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006800 : ...
6801 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6802 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006803 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006804 : ...
6805 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6806 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006807 :finally
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006808 : ...
6809 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
6810 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006811 :endtry
6812
6813The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
6814appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
6815from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
6816 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
6817is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
6818script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
6819 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
6820lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
6821patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
6822after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
6823executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
6824":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
6825(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
6826continues in the following line as usual.
6827 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
6828":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
6829that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
6830finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
6831the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
6832the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
6833see |try-nesting|.
6834 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006835remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006836not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
6837try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
6838a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
6839execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
6840exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6841 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006842thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006843clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
6844catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
6845following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
6846clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6847
6848The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
6849a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
6850try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
6851from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
6852sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
6853":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
6854":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
6855from the finally clause.
6856 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
6857try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
6858clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
6859":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
6860clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
6861":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
6862this pending exception or command is discarded.
6863
6864For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
6865
6866
6867NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
6868
6869Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
6870conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
6871clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
6872catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
6873of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
6874checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
6875try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006876otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006877nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
6878one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
6879the inner try conditional.
6880
6881When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
6882finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
6883An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
6884thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
6885implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
6886as usual.
6887
6888For examples see |throw-catch|.
6889
6890
6891EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
6892
6893Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
6894'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
6895script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
6896finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
6897a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
6898(see |debug-scripts|).
6899
6900
6901THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
6902
6903You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
6904and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
6905 :throw 4711
6906 :throw "string"
6907< *throw-expression*
6908You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
6909first, and the result is thrown: >
6910 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
6911 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
6912
6913An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
6914command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
6915The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
6916 Example: >
6917
6918 :function! Foo(arg)
6919 : try
6920 : throw a:arg
6921 : catch /foo/
6922 : endtry
6923 : return 1
6924 :endfunction
6925 :
6926 :function! Bar()
6927 : echo "in Bar"
6928 : return 4710
6929 :endfunction
6930 :
6931 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
6932
6933This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
6934executed. >
6935 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
6936however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
6937
6938Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006939abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006940exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
6941 Example: >
6942
6943 :if Foo("arrgh")
6944 : echo "then"
6945 :else
6946 : echo "else"
6947 :endif
6948
6949Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
6950
6951 *catch-order*
6952Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
6953commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
6954command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
6955gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
6956 Example: >
6957
6958 :function! Foo(value)
6959 : try
6960 : throw a:value
6961 : catch /^\d\+$/
6962 : echo "Number thrown"
6963 : catch /.*/
6964 : echo "String thrown"
6965 : endtry
6966 :endfunction
6967 :
6968 :call Foo(0x1267)
6969 :call Foo('string')
6970
6971The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
6972An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
6973specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
6974specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
6975
6976 : catch /.*/
6977 : echo "String thrown"
6978 : catch /^\d\+$/
6979 : echo "Number thrown"
6980
6981The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
6982never taken.
6983
6984 *throw-variables*
6985If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
6986in the variable |v:exception|: >
6987
6988 : catch /^\d\+$/
6989 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
6990
6991You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
6992|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
6993exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
6994 Example: >
6995
6996 :function! Caught()
6997 : if v:exception != ""
6998 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
6999 : else
7000 : echo 'Nothing caught'
7001 : endif
7002 :endfunction
7003 :
7004 :function! Foo()
7005 : try
7006 : try
7007 : try
7008 : throw 4711
7009 : finally
7010 : call Caught()
7011 : endtry
7012 : catch /.*/
7013 : call Caught()
7014 : throw "oops"
7015 : endtry
7016 : catch /.*/
7017 : call Caught()
7018 : finally
7019 : call Caught()
7020 : endtry
7021 :endfunction
7022 :
7023 :call Foo()
7024
7025This displays >
7026
7027 Nothing caught
7028 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
7029 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
7030 Nothing caught
7031
7032A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
7033number in the script or function where it has been used: >
7034
7035 :function! LineNumber()
7036 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
7037 :endfunction
7038 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
7039<
7040 *try-nested*
7041An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
7042a surrounding try conditional: >
7043
7044 :try
7045 : try
7046 : throw "foo"
7047 : catch /foobar/
7048 : echo "foobar"
7049 : finally
7050 : echo "inner finally"
7051 : endtry
7052 :catch /foo/
7053 : echo "foo"
7054 :endtry
7055
7056The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
7057clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
7058conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
7059
7060 *throw-from-catch*
7061You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
7062catch clause: >
7063
7064 :function! Foo()
7065 : throw "foo"
7066 :endfunction
7067 :
7068 :function! Bar()
7069 : try
7070 : call Foo()
7071 : catch /foo/
7072 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
7073 : throw "bar"
7074 : endtry
7075 :endfunction
7076 :
7077 :try
7078 : call Bar()
7079 :catch /.*/
7080 : echo "Caught" v:exception
7081 :endtry
7082
7083This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
7084
7085 *rethrow*
7086There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
7087"v:exception" instead: >
7088
7089 :function! Bar()
7090 : try
7091 : call Foo()
7092 : catch /.*/
7093 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
7094 : throw v:exception
7095 : endtry
7096 :endfunction
7097< *try-echoerr*
7098Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
7099exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
7100Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
7101denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
7102the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
7103
7104 :try
7105 : try
7106 : asdf
7107 : catch /.*/
7108 : echoerr v:exception
7109 : endtry
7110 :catch /.*/
7111 : echo v:exception
7112 :endtry
7113
7114This code displays
7115
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007116 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007117
7118
7119CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
7120
7121Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
7122user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007123an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007124a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
7125catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
7126a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
7127normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
7128(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007129to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007130clause has been executed.)
7131Example: >
7132
7133 :try
7134 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
7135 : set ts=17
7136 :
7137 : " Do the hard work here.
7138 :
7139 :finally
7140 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
7141 : unlet s:saved_ts
7142 :endtry
7143
7144This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
7145changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
7146that function or script part.
7147
7148 *break-finally*
7149Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
7150a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
7151 Example: >
7152
7153 :let first = 1
7154 :while 1
7155 : try
7156 : if first
7157 : echo "first"
7158 : let first = 0
7159 : continue
7160 : else
7161 : throw "second"
7162 : endif
7163 : catch /.*/
7164 : echo v:exception
7165 : break
7166 : finally
7167 : echo "cleanup"
7168 : endtry
7169 : echo "still in while"
7170 :endwhile
7171 :echo "end"
7172
7173This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
7174
7175 :function! Foo()
7176 : try
7177 : return 4711
7178 : finally
7179 : echo "cleanup\n"
7180 : endtry
7181 : echo "Foo still active"
7182 :endfunction
7183 :
7184 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
7185
7186This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007187extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007188return value.)
7189
7190 *except-from-finally*
7191Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
7192a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
7193cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
7194exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
7195 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
7196working correctly: >
7197
7198 :try
7199 : try
7200 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
7201 : while 1
7202 : endwhile
7203 : finally
7204 : unlet novar
7205 : endtry
7206 :catch /novar/
7207 :endtry
7208 :echo "Script still running"
7209 :sleep 1
7210
7211If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
7212think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
7213|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
7214
7215
7216CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
7217
7218If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
7219watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
7220presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
7221exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
7222the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
7223the error exception is.
7224 Error exceptions have the following format: >
7225
7226 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
7227or >
7228 Vim:{errmsg}
7229
7230{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007231the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007232when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
7233a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
7234a space.
7235
7236Examples:
7237
7238The command >
7239 :unlet novar
7240normally produces the error message >
7241 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7242which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7243 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
7244
7245The command >
7246 :dwim
7247normally produces the error message >
7248 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
7249which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7250 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
7251
7252You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
7253 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
7254or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
7255 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
7256
7257Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
7258 :function nofunc
7259and >
7260 :delfunction nofunc
7261both produce the error message >
7262 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7263which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7264 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7265or >
7266 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7267respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
7268command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
7269 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
7270
7271Some commands like >
7272 :let x = novar
7273produce multiple error messages, here: >
7274 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7275 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7276Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
7277one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
7278 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
7279
7280You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
7281 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
7282
7283You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
7284 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
7285
7286You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
7287 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
7288<
7289 *catch-text*
7290NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
7291 :catch /No such variable/
7292only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
7293a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
7294cite the message text in a comment: >
7295 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
7296
7297
7298IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
7299
7300You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
7301
7302 :try
7303 : write
7304 :catch
7305 :endtry
7306
7307But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
7308catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
7309be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
7310
7311 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
7312
7313There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
7314writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
7315then hide the error from the user.
7316 It is much better to use >
7317
7318 :try
7319 : write
7320 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7321 :endtry
7322
7323which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
7324intentionally.
7325
7326For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
7327even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
7328command: >
7329 :silent! nunmap k
7330This works also when a try conditional is active.
7331
7332
7333CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
7334
7335When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007336the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007337script is not terminated, then.
7338 Example: >
7339
7340 :function! TASK1()
7341 : sleep 10
7342 :endfunction
7343
7344 :function! TASK2()
7345 : sleep 20
7346 :endfunction
7347
7348 :while 1
7349 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
7350 : try
7351 : if command == ""
7352 : continue
7353 : elseif command == "END"
7354 : break
7355 : elseif command == "TASK1"
7356 : call TASK1()
7357 : elseif command == "TASK2"
7358 : call TASK2()
7359 : else
7360 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
7361 : continue
7362 : endif
7363 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
7364 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
7365 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
7366 : endtry
7367 :endwhile
7368
7369You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007370a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007371
7372For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
7373your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
7374command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
7375
7376
7377CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
7378
7379The commands >
7380
7381 :catch /.*/
7382 :catch //
7383 :catch
7384
7385catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
7386explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
7387a script in order to catch unexpected things.
7388 Example: >
7389
7390 :try
7391 :
7392 : " do the hard work here
7393 :
7394 :catch /MyException/
7395 :
7396 : " handle known problem
7397 :
7398 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
7399 : echo "Script interrupted"
7400 :catch /.*/
7401 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
7402 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
7403 :endtry
7404 :" end of script
7405
7406Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
7407strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
7408specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
7409 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
7410by pressing CTRL-C: >
7411
7412 :while 1
7413 : try
7414 : sleep 1
7415 : catch
7416 : endtry
7417 :endwhile
7418
7419
7420EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
7421
7422Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
7423
7424 :autocmd User x try
7425 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
7426 :autocmd User x catch
7427 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
7428 :autocmd User x endtry
7429 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
7430 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
7431 :
7432 :try
7433 : doautocmd User x
7434 :catch
7435 : echo v:exception
7436 :endtry
7437
7438This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
7439
7440 *except-autocmd-Pre*
7441For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
7442command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
7443of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
7444abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
7445 Example: >
7446
7447 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
7448 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
7449 :
7450 :try
7451 : write
7452 :catch
7453 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
7454 :endtry
7455
7456Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
7457you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
7458autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
7459script displays: >
7460
7461 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
7462<
7463 *except-autocmd-Post*
7464For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
7465command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
7466an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
7467is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
7468 Example: >
7469
7470 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
7471 :
7472 :try
7473 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7474 :catch
7475 : echo v:exception
7476 :endtry
7477
7478This just displays: >
7479
7480 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
7481
7482If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
7483fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
7484 Example: >
7485
7486 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
7487 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
7488 :
7489 :try
7490 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7491 :catch
7492 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7493 :endtry
7494<
7495You can also use ":silent!": >
7496
7497 :let x = "ok"
7498 :let v:errmsg = ""
7499 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
7500 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
7501 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
7502 :try
7503 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7504 :catch
7505 :endtry
7506 :echo x
7507
7508This displays "after fail".
7509
7510If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
7511autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
7512
7513 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
7514 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
7515 :
7516 :try
7517 : write
7518 :catch
7519 : echo v:exception
7520 :endtry
7521<
7522 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
7523For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
7524autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
7525of the command.
7526 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007527had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007528some way. >
7529
7530 :if !exists("cnt")
7531 : let cnt = 0
7532 :
7533 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
7534 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
7535 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
7536 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7537 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7538 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
7539 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
7540 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7541 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7542 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
7543 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7544 :endif
7545 :
7546 :try
7547 : write
7548 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
7549 : if &modified
7550 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
7551 : else
7552 : echo "Error after writing"
7553 : endif
7554 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7555 : echo "Error on writing"
7556 :endtry
7557
7558When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
7559first >
7560 File successfully written!
7561then >
7562 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
7563then >
7564 Error after writing
7565etc.
7566
7567 *except-autocmd-ill*
7568You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
7569The following code is ill-formed: >
7570
7571 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
7572 :
7573 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
7574 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
7575 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
7576 :
7577 :write
7578
7579
7580EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
7581
7582Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
7583pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
7584similar things in Vim.
7585 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
7586class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
7587string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
7588 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
7589it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
7590for an error when writing "myfile".
7591 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
7592base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
7593parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
7594 Example: >
7595
7596 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
7597 : if a:a < 0
7598 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
7599 : endif
7600 :endfunction
7601 :
7602 :function! Add(a, b)
7603 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
7604 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
7605 : let c = a:a + a:b
7606 : if c < 0
7607 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
7608 : endif
7609 : return c
7610 :endfunction
7611 :
7612 :function! Div(a, b)
7613 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
7614 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
7615 : if (a:b == 0)
7616 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
7617 : endif
7618 : return a:a / a:b
7619 :endfunction
7620 :
7621 :function! Write(file)
7622 : try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007623 : execute "write" fnameescape(a:file)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007624 : catch /^Vim(write):/
7625 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
7626 : endtry
7627 :endfunction
7628 :
7629 :try
7630 :
7631 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
7632 :
7633 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
7634 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
7635 : echo "Range error in" function
7636 :
7637 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
7638 : echo "Math error"
7639 :
7640 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
7641 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
7642 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
7643 : if file !~ '^/'
7644 : let file = dir . "/" . file
7645 : endif
7646 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
7647 :
7648 :catch /^EXCEPT/
7649 : echo "Unspecified error"
7650 :
7651 :endtry
7652
7653The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
7654a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
7655exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
7656 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
7657failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
7658
7659
7660PECULIARITIES
7661 *except-compat*
7662The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
7663exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
7664and/or a catch clause.
7665
7666In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
7667continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
7668after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
7669functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
7670or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
7671(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
7672
7673This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
7674immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007675conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
7676be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007677termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
7678catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
7679by specifying a finally clause.)
7680
7681When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
7682behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
7683scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
7684
7685However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
7686commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
7687conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
7688script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
7689error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
7690messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007691|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
7692not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007693where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
7694error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
7695scripts.
7696
7697 *except-syntax-err*
7698Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
7699the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
7700clauses, however, is executed.
7701 Example: >
7702
7703 :try
7704 : try
7705 : throw 4711
7706 : catch /\(/
7707 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
7708 : catch
7709 : echo "inner catch-all"
7710 : finally
7711 : echo "inner finally"
7712 : endtry
7713 :catch
7714 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
7715 : finally
7716 : echo "outer finally"
7717 :endtry
7718
7719This displays: >
7720 inner finally
7721 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
7722 outer finally
7723The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
7724
7725 *except-single-line*
7726The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
7727a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
7728"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
7729 Example: >
7730 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
7731raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
7732argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
7733error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
7734displayed.
7735
7736 *except-several-errors*
7737When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
7738usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
7739 Example: >
7740 echo novar
7741causes >
7742 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7743 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7744The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7745 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
7746< *except-syntax-error*
7747But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
7748the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
7749 Example: >
7750 unlet novar #
7751causes >
7752 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7753 E488: Trailing characters
7754The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7755 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
7756This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
7757not intended by the user. Example: >
7758 try
7759 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
7760 catch /.*/
7761 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
7762 endtry
7763This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
7764a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
7765
7766==============================================================================
77679. Examples *eval-examples*
7768
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007769Printing in Binary ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007770>
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007771 :" The function Nr2Bin() returns the Hex string of a number.
7772 :func Nr2Bin(nr)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007773 : let n = a:nr
7774 : let r = ""
7775 : while n
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007776 : let r = '01'[n % 2] . r
7777 : let n = n / 2
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007778 : endwhile
7779 : return r
7780 :endfunc
7781
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007782 :" The function String2Bin() converts each character in a string to a
7783 :" binary string, separated with dashes.
7784 :func String2Bin(str)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007785 : let out = ''
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007786 : for ix in range(strlen(a:str))
7787 : let out = out . '-' . Nr2Bin(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
7788 : endfor
7789 : return out[1:]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007790 :endfunc
7791
7792Example of its use: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007793 :echo Nr2Bin(32)
7794result: "100000" >
7795 :echo String2Bin("32")
7796result: "110011-110010"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007797
7798
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007799Sorting lines ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007800
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007801This example sorts lines with a specific compare function. >
7802
7803 :func SortBuffer()
7804 : let lines = getline(1, '$')
7805 : call sort(lines, function("Strcmp"))
7806 : call setline(1, lines)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007807 :endfunction
7808
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007809As a one-liner: >
7810 :call setline(1, sort(getline(1, '$'), function("Strcmp")))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007811
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007812
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007813scanf() replacement ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007814 *sscanf*
7815There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
7816line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
7817how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
7818"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
7819 :" Set up the match bit
7820 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
7821 :"get the part matching the whole expression
7822 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
7823 :"get each item out of the match
7824 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
7825 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
7826 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
7827
7828The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
7829"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
7830
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007831
7832getting the scriptnames in a Dictionary ~
7833 *scriptnames-dictionary*
7834The |:scriptnames| command can be used to get a list of all script files that
7835have been sourced. There is no equivalent function or variable for this
7836(because it's rarely needed). In case you need to manipulate the list this
7837code can be used: >
7838 " Get the output of ":scriptnames" in the scriptnames_output variable.
7839 let scriptnames_output = ''
7840 redir => scriptnames_output
7841 silent scriptnames
7842 redir END
7843
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007844 " Split the output into lines and parse each line. Add an entry to the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007845 " "scripts" dictionary.
7846 let scripts = {}
7847 for line in split(scriptnames_output, "\n")
7848 " Only do non-blank lines.
7849 if line =~ '\S'
7850 " Get the first number in the line.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007851 let nr = matchstr(line, '\d\+')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007852 " Get the file name, remove the script number " 123: ".
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007853 let name = substitute(line, '.\+:\s*', '', '')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007854 " Add an item to the Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007855 let scripts[nr] = name
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007856 endif
7857 endfor
7858 unlet scriptnames_output
7859
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007860==============================================================================
786110. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
7862
7863When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
7864evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
7865to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
7866recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
7867and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
7868only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
7869recognized.
7870
7871Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
7872missing: >
7873
7874 :if 1
7875 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
7876 :else
7877 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
7878 :endif
7879
7880==============================================================================
788111. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
7882
7883The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
7884options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
7885these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007886these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00007887a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007888The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007889
7890These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
7891 - changing the buffer text
7892 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
7893 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007894 - setting certain v: variables (see |v:var|) *E794*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007895 - executing a shell command
7896 - reading or writing a file
7897 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00007898 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007899This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
7900
7901 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00007902:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007903 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
7904 'foldexpr'.
7905
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007906 *sandbox-option*
7907A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00007908have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007909restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
7910location. Insecure in this context are:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00007911- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directory
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007912- while executing in the sandbox
7913- value coming from a modeline
7914
7915Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
7916option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
7917
7918==============================================================================
791912. Textlock *textlock*
7920
7921In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
7922to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
7923is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007924actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007925happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
7926
7927This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
7928 - changing the buffer text
7929 - jumping to another buffer or window
7930 - editing another file
7931 - closing a window or quitting Vim
7932 - etc.
7933
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007934
7935 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: