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Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0g. Last change: 2006 Apr 30
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00003112. Textlock |textlock|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000032
33{Vi does not have any of these commands}
34
35==============================================================================
361. Variables *variables*
37
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000039 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000040There are five types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000042Number A 32 bit signed number.
43 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
44
45String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
46 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
47
48Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
49 Example: function("strlen")
50
51List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
52 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000053
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000054Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
55 value. |Dictionary|
56 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
57
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000058The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
59are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000060
61Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
62the Number. Examples: >
63 Number 123 --> String "123"
64 Number 0 --> String "0"
65 Number -1 --> String "-1"
66
67Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
68to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
69the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
70 String "456" --> Number 456
71 String "6bar" --> Number 6
72 String "foo" --> Number 0
73 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
74 String "0100" --> Number 64
75 String "-8" --> Number -8
76 String "+8" --> Number 0
77
78To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
79 :echo "0100" + 0
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +000080< 64 ~
81
82To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different
83base, use |str2nr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000084
85For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
86
87Note that in the command >
88 :if "foo"
89"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
90use strlen(): >
91 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000092< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
93List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000094
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000095 *E706*
96You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
97to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000098equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000099 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000100 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000101 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000102
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000103
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001041.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000105 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000106A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000107in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
108around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000109
110 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
111 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000112< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000113A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:", "t:" or "b:". You
114cannot have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000115
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000116A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
117Dictionary entry. Example: >
118 :function dict.init() dict
119 : let self.val = 0
120 :endfunction
121
122The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
123function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
124
125A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
126 :call Fn()
127 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000128
129The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000130 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000131
132You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
133arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000134 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000135
136
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001371.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000138 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000139A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
140can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
141position in the sequence.
142
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143
144List creation ~
145 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000146A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000147Examples: >
148 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
149 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000150
151An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000152List of Lists: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000153 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000154
155An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
156
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000157
158List index ~
159 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000160An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000161after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
162 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000163 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000164
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000165When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000166 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000167<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000168A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
169the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000170 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
171
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000172To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000173is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000174 :echo get(mylist, idx)
175 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
176
177
178List concatenation ~
179
180Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
181 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000182 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000183
184To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
185it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
186
187
188Sublist ~
189
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000190A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
191separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000192 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000193
194Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000195similar to -1.
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000196 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
197 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
198 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000199
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000200If the first index is beyond the last item of the List or the second item is
201before the first item, the result is an empty list. There is no error
202message.
203
204If the second index is equal to or greater than the length of the list the
205length minus one is used: >
Bram Moolenaar9e54a0e2006-04-14 20:42:25 +0000206 :let mylist = [0, 1, 2, 3]
207 :echo mylist[2:8] " result: [2, 3]
208
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000209NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
210using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
211mylist[s : e].
212
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000213
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000214List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000215 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000216When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
217variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
218change "bb": >
219 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
220 :let bb = aa
221 :call add(aa, 4)
222 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000223< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000224
225Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
226works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000227a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000228 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
229 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000230 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000231 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
232 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000233< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000234 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000235< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000236
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000237To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000238copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000239
240The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000241List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000242the same value. >
243 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
244 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
245 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000246< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000247 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000248< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000249
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000250Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
251same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000252exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
253different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
254variables. Example: >
255 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000256< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000257 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000258< 0
259
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000260Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
261can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a string: >
262
263 :let a = 5
264 :let b = "5"
265 echo a == b
266< 1 >
267 echo [a] == [b]
268< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000269
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000270
271List unpack ~
272
273To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
274square brackets, like list items: >
275 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
276
277When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
278this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
279and a variable name: >
280 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
281
282This works like: >
283 :let var1 = mylist[0]
284 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000285 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000286
287Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
288empty list then.
289
290
291List modification ~
292 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000293To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000294 :let list[4] = "four"
295 :let listlist[0][3] = item
296
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000297To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000298modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000299 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
300
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000301Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
302examples: >
303 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
304 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
305 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000306 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000307 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
308 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000309 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000310 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000311 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000312 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000313
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000314Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000315 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
316 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
317
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000318
319For loop ~
320
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000321The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
322to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000323 :for item in mylist
324 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000325 :endfor
326
327This works like: >
328 :let index = 0
329 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000330 : let item = mylist[index]
331 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000332 : let index = index + 1
333 :endwhile
334
335Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000336results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000337the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000338
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000339If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000340function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000341
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000342Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
343requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
344 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
345 : call Doit(lnum, col)
346 :endfor
347
348This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
349must remain the same to avoid an error.
350
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000351It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000352 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
353 : call Doit(i, j)
354 : if !empty(rest)
355 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
356 : endif
357 :endfor
358
359
360List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000361 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000362Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000363 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000364 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000365 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
366 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
367 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000368 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
369 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000370 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
371 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000372 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
373 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000374 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
375 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000376
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000377Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
378example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
379 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
380
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003821.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000383 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000384A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000385entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
386ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000387
388
389Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000390 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000391A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000392braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
393only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000394 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
395 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000396< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000397A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
398String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000399entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
400Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000401
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000402A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000403nested Dictionary: >
404 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
405
406An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
407
408
409Accessing entries ~
410
411The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
412 :let val = mydict["one"]
413 :let mydict["four"] = 4
414
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000415You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000416
417For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
418form can be used |expr-entry|: >
419 :let val = mydict.one
420 :let mydict.four = 4
421
422Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
423key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000424 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000425
426
427Dictionary to List conversion ~
428
429You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
430turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
431
432Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
433 :for key in keys(mydict)
434 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
435 :endfor
436
437The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
438 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
439
440To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
441 :for v in values(mydict)
442 : echo "value: " . v
443 :endfor
444
445If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000446a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000447 :for entry in items(mydict)
448 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
449 :endfor
450
451
452Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000453 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000454Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
455Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
456Dictionary: >
457 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
458 :let adict = onedict
459 :let adict['a'] = 11
460 :echo onedict['a']
461 11
462
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000463Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
464more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000465
466
467Dictionary modification ~
468 *dict-modification*
469To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
470use |:let| this way: >
471 :let dict[4] = "four"
472 :let dict['one'] = item
473
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000474Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
475Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
476 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
477 :unlet dict.aaa
478 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000479
480Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000481 :call extend(adict, bdict)
482This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
483in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000484Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
485expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
486adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000487
488Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +0000489 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000490This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000491
492
493Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000494 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000495When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
496special way with a dictionary. Example: >
497 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000498 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000499 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000500 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
501 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000502
503This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
504Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
505the function was invoked from.
506
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000507It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
508Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
509
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000510 *numbered-function* *anonymous-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000511To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
512assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000513 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
514 :function mydict.len() dict
515 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000516 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000517 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000518
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000519The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
520that references this function. The function can only be used through a
521|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
522remaining that refers to it.
523
524It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000525
526
527Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000528 *E715*
529Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000530 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
531 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
532 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
533 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
534 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
535 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
536 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
537 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000538
539
5401.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000541 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000542If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
543function.
544
545When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
546start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
547stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
548
549When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
550start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
551stored in the session file |session-file|.
552
553variable name can be stored where ~
554my_var_6 not
555My_Var_6 session file
556MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
557
558
559It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
560|curly-braces-names|.
561
562==============================================================================
5632. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
564
565Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
566
567|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
568
569|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
570
571|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
572
573|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
574 expr5 != expr5 not equal
575 expr5 > expr5 greater than
576 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
577 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
578 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
579 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
580 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
581
582 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
583 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
584 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
585 matching case
586
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000587 expr5 is expr5 same |List| instance
588 expr5 isnot expr5 different |List| instance
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000589
590|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000591 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
592 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
593
594|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
595 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
596 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
597
598|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
599 - expr7 unary minus
600 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000601
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000602
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000603|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a |List|
604 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a |List|
605 expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary|
606 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with |Funcref| variable
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000607
608|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000609 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000610 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000611 [expr1, ...] |List|
612 {expr1: expr1, ...} |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000613 &option option value
614 (expr1) nested expression
615 variable internal variable
616 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
617 $VAR environment variable
618 @r contents of register 'r'
619 function(expr1, ...) function call
620 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
621
622
623".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
624Example: >
625 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
626
627All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
628
629
630expr1 *expr1* *E109*
631-----
632
633expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
634
635The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
636non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
637otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
638Example: >
639 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
640
641Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
642other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
643Example: >
644 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
645
646To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
647 :echo lnum == 1
648 :\ ? "top"
649 :\ : lnum == 1000
650 :\ ? "last"
651 :\ : lnum
652
653
654expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
655---------------
656
657 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
658The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
659are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
660
661 input output ~
662n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
663zero zero zero zero
664zero non-zero non-zero zero
665non-zero zero non-zero zero
666non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
667
668The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
669
670 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
671
672Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
673
674 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
675
676Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
677arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
678
679 let a = 1
680 echo a || b
681
682This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
683so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
684
685 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
686
687This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
688only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
689
690
691expr4 *expr4*
692-----
693
694expr5 {cmp} expr5
695
696Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
697if it evaluates to true.
698
699 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
700 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
701 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
702 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
703 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
704 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000705 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000706 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
707equal == ==# ==?
708not equal != !=# !=?
709greater than > ># >?
710greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
711smaller than < <# <?
712smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
713regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
714regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000715same instance is
716different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000717
718Examples:
719"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
720"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
721"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
722
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000723 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000724A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
725"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
726Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000727
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000728 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000729A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
730equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000731recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
732
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000733 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000734A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
735equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000736
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000737When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| this checks if the expressions are
738referring to the same |List| instance. A copy of a |List| is different from
739the original |List|. When using "is" without a |List| it is equivalent to
740using "equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000741different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
742is false.
743
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000744When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
745and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
746because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
747
748When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
749results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
750necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
751
752When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
753'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
754
755When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
756'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
757
758The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
759argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
760This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
761matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
762portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
763single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
764Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
765(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
766can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
767 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
768 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
769
770
771expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
772---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000773expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000774expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
775expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000776
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +0000777For |Lists| only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000778result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000779
780expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
781expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
782expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000783
784For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
785
786Note the difference between "+" and ".":
787 "123" + "456" = 579
788 "123" . "456" = "123456"
789
790When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
791When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
792
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000793None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000794
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000795
796expr7 *expr7*
797-----
798! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
799- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
800+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
801
802For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
803For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
804For '+' the number is unchanged.
805
806A String will be converted to a Number first.
807
808These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
809 !-1 == 0
810 !!8 == 1
811 --9 == 9
812
813
814expr8 *expr8*
815-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000816expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000817
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000818If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
819expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000820Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000821
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000822Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
823text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
824cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000825 :let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000826
827If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000828String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
829compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
830
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000831If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000832for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
833error. Example: >
834 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
835
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000836Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
837|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
838error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000839
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000840
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000841expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000842
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000843If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
844from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000845expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
846encodings.
847
848If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
849string minus one is used.
850
851A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
852the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
853
854If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
855expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
856
857Examples: >
858 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
859 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
860 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
861 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
862
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000863If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
864the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
865just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000866 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
867 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
868 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
869
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000870Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
871error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000872
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000873
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000874expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000875
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000876If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
877name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
878expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000879
880The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
881but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
882
883There must not be white space before or after the dot.
884
885Examples: >
886 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
887 :echo dict.one
888 :echo dict .2
889
890Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
891always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
892
893
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000894expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000895
896When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
897
898
899
900 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000901number
902------
903number number constant *expr-number*
904
905Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
906
907
908string *expr-string* *E114*
909------
910"string" string constant *expr-quote*
911
912Note that double quotes are used.
913
914A string constant accepts these special characters:
915\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
916\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
917\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
918\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
919\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
920\X.. same as \x..
921\X. same as \x.
922\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
923 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
924\U.... same as \u....
925\b backspace <BS>
926\e escape <Esc>
927\f formfeed <FF>
928\n newline <NL>
929\r return <CR>
930\t tab <Tab>
931\\ backslash
932\" double quote
933\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
934
935Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
936
937
938literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
939---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000940'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000941
942Note that single quotes are used.
943
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000944This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000945meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000946
947Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
948to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
949 if a =~ "\\s*"
950 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000951
952
953option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
954------
955&option option value, local value if possible
956&g:option global option value
957&l:option local option value
958
959Examples: >
960 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
961 if &insertmode
962
963Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
964and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
965anyway.
966
967
968register *expr-register*
969--------
970@r contents of register 'r'
971
972The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
973Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +0000974register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
975registers.
976
977When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
978evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000979
980
981nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
982-------
983(expr1) nested expression
984
985
986environment variable *expr-env*
987--------------------
988$VAR environment variable
989
990The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
991result is an empty string.
992 *expr-env-expand*
993Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
994expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
995are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
996the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
997fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
998does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
999 :echo $version
1000 :echo expand("$version")
1001The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
1002variable (if your shell supports it).
1003
1004
1005internal variable *expr-variable*
1006-----------------
1007variable internal variable
1008See below |internal-variables|.
1009
1010
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001011function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001012-------------
1013function(expr1, ...) function call
1014See below |functions|.
1015
1016
1017==============================================================================
10183. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1019 *E461*
1020An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1021cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1022|curly-braces-names|.
1023
1024An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001025An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1026|:unlet|.
1027Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1028been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001029
1030There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1031specified by what is prepended:
1032
1033 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1034|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1035|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001036|tabpage-variable| t: Local to the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001037|global-variable| g: Global.
1038|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1039|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1040|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1041|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1042
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001043The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1044delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001045 :for k in keys(s:)
1046 : unlet s:[k]
1047 :endfor
1048<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001049 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1050A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1051Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1052This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1053|:bdelete|.
1054
1055One local buffer variable is predefined:
1056 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1057b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1058 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1059 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1060 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1061 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1062 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1063 : call My_Update()
1064 :endif
1065<
1066 *window-variable* *w:var*
1067A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1068is deleted when the window is closed.
1069
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001070 *tabpage-variable* *t:var*
1071A variable name that is preceded with "t:" is local to the current tab page,
1072It is deleted when the tab page is closed. {not available when compiled
1073without the +windows feature}
1074
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001075 *global-variable* *g:var*
1076Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1077access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1078place if you like.
1079
1080 *local-variable* *l:var*
1081Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1082But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1083
1084 *script-variable* *s:var*
1085In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1086accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1087
1088They can be used in:
1089- commands executed while the script is sourced
1090- functions defined in the script
1091- autocommands defined in the script
1092- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1093 defined in the script (recursively)
1094- user defined commands defined in the script
1095Thus not in:
1096- other scripts sourced from this one
1097- mappings
1098- etc.
1099
1100script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1101Take this example:
1102
1103 let s:counter = 0
1104 function MyCounter()
1105 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1106 echo s:counter
1107 endfunction
1108 command Tick call MyCounter()
1109
1110You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1111that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1112"Tick" was defined is used.
1113
1114Another example that does the same: >
1115
1116 let s:counter = 0
1117 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1118
1119When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001120script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001121defined.
1122
1123The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1124function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1125
1126 let s:counter = 0
1127 function StartCounting(incr)
1128 if a:incr
1129 function MyCounter()
1130 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1131 endfunction
1132 else
1133 function MyCounter()
1134 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1135 endfunction
1136 endif
1137 endfunction
1138
1139This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1140when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1141called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1142
1143When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1144They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1145maintain a counter: >
1146
1147 if !exists("s:counter")
1148 let s:counter = 1
1149 echo "script executed for the first time"
1150 else
1151 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1152 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1153 endif
1154
1155Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1156variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1157
1158
1159Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1160
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001161 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1162v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1163 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1164 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1165
1166 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1167v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1168 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1169
1170 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1171v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1172 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1173
1174 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001175v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1176 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1177 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1178 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001179 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1180 highlighted text is used.
1181 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1182
1183 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1184v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1185 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1186
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001187 *v:char* *char-variable*
1188v:char Argument for evaluating 'formatexpr'.
1189
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001190 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1191v:charconvert_from
1192 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1193 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1194
1195 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1196v:charconvert_to
1197 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1198 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1199
1200 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1201v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1202 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1203 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1204 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1205 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1206 possible to append this variable directly after the
1207 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1208 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1209 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1210 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1211 in 'printexpr'.
1212
1213 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1214v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1215 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1216 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1217 can be used.
1218
1219 *v:count* *count-variable*
1220v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1221 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1222 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1223< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1224 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001225 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001226 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1227
1228 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1229v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1230 used.
1231
1232 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1233v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1234 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1235 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1236 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1237 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1238 command.
1239 See |multi-lang|.
1240
1241 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1242v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1243 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1244 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1245 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1246 Example: >
1247 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1248<
1249 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1250v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1251 Example: >
1252 :let v:errmsg = ""
1253 :silent! next
1254 :if v:errmsg != ""
1255 : ... handle error
1256< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1257
1258 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1259v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1260 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1261 Example: >
1262 :try
1263 : throw "oops"
1264 :catch /.*/
1265 : echo "caught" v:exception
1266 :endtry
1267< Output: "caught oops".
1268
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001269 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1270v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1271 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1272 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1273 deleted file no longer exists
1274 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1275 changed and buffer is modified
1276 changed file contents has changed
1277 mode mode of file changed
1278 time only file timestamp changed
1279
1280 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1281v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1282 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1283 do with the affected buffer:
1284 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1285 the file was deleted).
1286 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1287 was no autocommand. Except that when
1288 only the timestamp changed nothing
1289 will happen.
1290 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1291 everything that needs to be done.
1292 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1293 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1294
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001295 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001296v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001297 option used for ~
1298 'charconvert' file to be converted
1299 'diffexpr' original file
1300 'patchexpr' original file
1301 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001302 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001303
1304 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1305v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1306 evaluating:
1307 option used for ~
1308 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1309 'diffexpr' output of diff
1310 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1311 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1312 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1313 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1314 file and different from v:fname_in.
1315
1316 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1317v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1318 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1319
1320 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1321v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1322 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1323
1324 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1325v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1326 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001327 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001328
1329 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1330v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001331 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001332
1333 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1334v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001335 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001336
1337 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1338v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001339 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001340
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001341 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1342v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1343 events. Values:
1344 i Insert mode
1345 r Replace mode
1346 v Virtual Replace mode
1347
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001348 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001349v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001350 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1351 Read-only.
1352
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001353 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1354v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1355 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1356 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1357 The value is system dependent.
1358 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1359 command.
1360 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1361 in a different language than what is used for character
1362 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1363
1364 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1365v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1366 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1367 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1368 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1369 command. See |multi-lang|.
1370
1371 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001372v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
Bram Moolenaar57657d82006-04-21 22:12:41 +00001373 expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel' and
1374 'guitabtooltip'. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1375 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001376
1377 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1378v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1379 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1380 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1381 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1382< Read-only.
1383
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001384 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1385v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1386 See |profiling|.
1387
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001388 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1389v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1390 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1391 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1392 Read-only.
1393
1394 *v:register* *register-variable*
1395v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1396 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1397
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001398 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1399v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1400 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1401 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1402 typed command.
1403 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1404 hit-enter prompt.
1405
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001406 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1407v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1408 Read-only.
1409
1410 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1411v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1412 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1413 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1414 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1415 executed. Read-only.
1416 Example: >
1417 :!mv foo bar
1418 :if v:shell_error
1419 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1420 :endif
1421< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1422
1423 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1424v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1425
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001426 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1427v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1428 the swap file found. Read-only.
1429
1430 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1431v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1432 for handling an existing swap file:
1433 'o' Open read-only
1434 'e' Edit anyway
1435 'r' Recover
1436 'd' Delete swapfile
1437 'q' Quit
1438 'a' Abort
1439 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
1440 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1441 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1442
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001443 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001444v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001445 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
1446 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
1447 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001448 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001449
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001450 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1451v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1452 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1453 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1454 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1455 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1456 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1457 terminal.
1458 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1459 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1460 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1461 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1462 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1463
1464 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1465v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1466 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1467 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1468 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1469
1470 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1471v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1472 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1473 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1474 Example: >
1475 :try
1476 : throw "oops"
1477 :catch /.*/
1478 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1479 :endtry
1480< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1481
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001482 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001483v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
1484 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001485 |filter()|. Read-only.
1486
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001487 *v:version* *version-variable*
1488v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1489 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1490 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1491 compatibility.
1492 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1493 if has("patch123")
1494< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1495 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1496 completely different.
1497
1498 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1499v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1500
1501==============================================================================
15024. Builtin Functions *functions*
1503
1504See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1505
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001506(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001507
1508USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1509
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001510add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001511append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001512append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001513argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001514argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001515argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001516argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001517browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1518 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001519browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001520bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001521buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1522bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001523bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1524bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1525bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1526byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001527byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001528call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1529 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001530changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001531char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001532cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001533col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00001534complete({startcol}, {matches}) String set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001535complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
1536complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001537confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1538 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001539copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001540count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1541 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001542cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1543 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001544cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {coladd}])
1545 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {coladd}
1546cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001547deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001548delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1549did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001550diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1551diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001552empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001553escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001554eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001555eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001556executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1557exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001558extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
1559 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001560expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00001561feedkeys( {string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001562filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001563filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001564filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1565 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001566finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001567 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001568findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001569 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001570fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001571foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1572foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001573foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001574foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001575foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001576foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001577function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001578garbagecollect() none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001579get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001580get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001581getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1582 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001583getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001584getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1585getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001586getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1587getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001588getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001589getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001590getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1591getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001592getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001593getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001594getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001595getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1596getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001597getloclist({nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001598getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001599getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001600getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001601getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001602gettabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {name})
1603 any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001604getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1605getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001606getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001607glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1608globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1609has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001610has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001611hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1612 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001613histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1614histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1615histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1616histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1617hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1618hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1619hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001620iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1621indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001622index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1623 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001624input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1625 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001626inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001627inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001628inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1629inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001630inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001631insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001632isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001633islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001634items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001635join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001636keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001637len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1638libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001639libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1640line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1641line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001642lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001643localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001644map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001645maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1646 String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1647mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1648 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001649match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001650 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001651matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001652matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001653 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001654matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1655 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001656matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1657 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001658max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1659min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001660mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1661 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001662mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001663nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1664nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001665pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001666prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00001667printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001668pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001669range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1670 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001671readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1672 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00001673reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
1674reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001675remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1676 String send expression
1677remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1678remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1679 Number check for reply string
1680remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1681remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1682 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001683remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001684remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001685rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1686repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1687resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001688reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001689search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001690searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
1691 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001692searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001693 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001694searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001695 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001696searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001697 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001698server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1699 Number send reply string
1700serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1701setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1702setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1703setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001704setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1705 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001706setpos( {expr}, {list}) none set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001707setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001708setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001709settabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window
1710 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001711setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001712simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001713sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001714soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001715spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001716spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1717 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001718split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001719 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001720str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert string to number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001721strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001722stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1723 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001724string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001725strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1726strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1727 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001728strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1729 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001730strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001731submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001732substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1733 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001734synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001735synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1736 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1737synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001738system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001739tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1740tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1741tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1742 Number number of current window in tab page
1743taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00001744tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001745tempname() String name for a temporary file
1746tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1747toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001748tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1749 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001750type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001751values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001752virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1753visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1754winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1755wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1756winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1757winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001758winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001759winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00001760winrestview({dict}) None restore view of current window
1761winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001762winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001763writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1764 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001765
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001766add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001767 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
1768 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001769 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1770 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001771< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001772 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001773 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001774
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001775
1776append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001777 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
1778 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001779 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1780 the current buffer.
1781 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001782 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1783 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001784 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001785 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001786<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001787 *argc()*
1788argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1789 current window. See |arglist|.
1790
1791 *argidx()*
1792argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1793 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1794
1795 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001796argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001797 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1798 Example: >
1799 :let i = 0
1800 :while i < argc()
1801 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1802 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1803 : let i = i + 1
1804 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001805< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
1806 returned.
1807
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001808 *browse()*
1809browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1810 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1811 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1812 The input fields are:
1813 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1814 {title} title for the requester
1815 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1816 {default} default file name
1817 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1818 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1819
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001820 *browsedir()*
1821browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1822 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1823 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1824 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1825 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1826 to be used.
1827 The input fields are:
1828 {title} title for the requester
1829 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1830 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1831 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1832
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001833bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1834 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1835 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001836 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001837 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001838 exactly. The name can be:
1839 - Relative to the current directory.
1840 - A full path.
1841 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1842 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001843 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1844 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1845 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1846 long name to be able to find them.
1847 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1848 file name.
1849 *buffer_exists()*
1850 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1851
1852buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1853 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1854 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001855 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001856
1857bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1858 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1859 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001860 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001861
1862bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1863 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1864 ":ls" command.
1865 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1866 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1867 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1868 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1869 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1870 match an empty string is returned.
1871 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1872 alternate buffer.
1873 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1874 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1875 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1876 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1877 buffers are searched for.
1878 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1879 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1880 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1881< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1882 string is returned. >
1883 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1884 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1885 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1886 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1887< *buffer_name()*
1888 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1889
1890 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001891bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
1892 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001893 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001894 above.
1895 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
1896 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
1897 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001898 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1899 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1900< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1901 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1902 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1903 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1904 *buffer_number()*
1905 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1906 *last_buffer_nr()*
1907 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1908
1909bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1910 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1911 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1912 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1913 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1914
1915 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1916
1917< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1918 |:wincmd|.
1919
1920
1921byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1922 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1923 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1924 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1925 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1926 one.
1927 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1928 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1929 feature}
1930
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001931byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1932 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1933 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1934 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1935 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1936 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1937 Example : >
1938 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1939< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1940 same: >
1941 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1942 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1943< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1944 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1945 is returned.
1946
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001947call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001948 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001949 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001950 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001951 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1952 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001953 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1954 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001955
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001956changenr() *changenr()*
1957 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
1958 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
1959 with the |:undo| command.
1960 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
1961 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
1962 one less than the number of the undone change.
1963
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001964char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1965 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1966 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1967 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1968< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00001969 char2nr("?") returns 225
1970 char2nr("?"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001971< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001972
1973cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1974 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1975 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1976 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1977 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1978 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1979 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00001980 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001981
1982 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001983col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001984 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1985 . the cursor position
1986 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1987 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1988 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1989 returned)
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001990 To get the line number use |col()|. To get both use
1991 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001992 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1993 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1994 Examples: >
1995 col(".") column of cursor
1996 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1997 col("'t") column of mark t
1998 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1999< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
2000 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
2001 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
2002 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
2003 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
2004 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
2005 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
2006 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
2007<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002008
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002009complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
2010 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2011 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
2012 with an expression argument |:map-<expr>| or CTRL-R =
2013 |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O.
2014 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2015 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2016 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2017 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2018 match.
2019 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2020 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2021 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
2022 inserting anything that would completion to stop.
2023 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2024 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2025 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2026 Example: >
2027 inoremap <expr> <F5> ListMonths()
2028
2029 func! ListMonths()
2030 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2031 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2032 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2033 return ''
2034 endfunc
2035< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2036 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2037
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002038complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2039 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2040 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2041 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2042 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2043 the list.
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002044 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
2045 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002046
2047complete_check() *complete_check()*
2048 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2049 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2050 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2051 zero otherwise.
2052 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2053 'completefunc' option.
2054
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002055 *confirm()*
2056confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2057 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2058 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2059 choice this is 1.
2060 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2061 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
2062 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2063 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2064 used (and translated).
2065 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2066 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
2067 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2068 by '\n', e.g. >
2069 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2070< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2071 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2072 not need to be the first letter: >
2073 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2074< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2075 the default shortcut key.
2076 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2077 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2078 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2079 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
2080 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
2081 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
2082 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
2083 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
2084 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2085 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2086 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2087
2088 An example: >
2089 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2090 :if choice == 0
2091 : echo "make up your mind!"
2092 :elseif choice == 3
2093 : echo "tasteful"
2094 :else
2095 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2096 :endif
2097< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2098 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
2099 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
2100 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2101 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2102 the horizontal layout is always used.
2103
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002104 *copy()*
2105copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2106 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002107 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2108 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002109 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002110 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002111 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002112
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002113count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002114 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002115 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002116 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002117 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002118 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2119
2120
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002121 *cscope_connection()*
2122cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2123 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2124 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2125 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2126 if there are no cscope connections;
2127 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2128
2129 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2130 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2131
2132 {num} Description of existence check
2133 ----- ------------------------------
2134 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2135 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2136 {dbpath}.
2137 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2138 {dbpath}.
2139 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2140 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2141 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2142 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2143
2144 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2145
2146 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2147
2148 # pid database name prepend path
2149 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2150<
2151 Invocation Return Val ~
2152 ---------- ---------- >
2153 cscope_connection() 1
2154 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2155 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2156 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2157 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2158 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2159 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2160 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2161<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002162cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2163cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002164 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002165 The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002166 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002167 with two or three items {lnum}, {col} and {off}. This is like
2168 the return value of |getpos()|, but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002169 Does not change the jumplist.
2170 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2171 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2172 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002173 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002174 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2175 line.
2176 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002177 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2178 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
2179 position within a Tab or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002180
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002181
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002182deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002183 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2184 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002185 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2186 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
2187 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002188 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002189 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2190 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2191 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2192 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2193 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2194 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002195 *E724*
2196 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002197 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2198 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002199 Also see |copy()|.
2200
2201delete({fname}) *delete()*
2202 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002203 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2204 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002205 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002206
2207 *did_filetype()*
2208did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2209 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2210 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2211 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2212 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2213 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2214 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2215 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2216 file.
2217
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002218diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2219 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2220 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2221 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2222 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2223 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2224 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2225 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2226
2227diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2228 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2229 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2230 diff change zero is returned.
2231 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2232 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2233 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2234 line.
2235 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2236 syntax information about the highlighting.
2237
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002238empty({expr}) *empty()*
2239 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002240 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
2241 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2242 For a long |List| this is much faster then comparing the
2243 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002244
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002245escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2246 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2247 backslash. Example: >
2248 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2249< results in: >
2250 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002251
2252< *eval()*
2253eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2254 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2255 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002256 Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002257
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002258eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2259 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2260 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2261 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2262 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2263
2264executable({expr}) *executable()*
2265 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2266 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002267 arguments.
2268 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2269 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2270 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2271 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2272 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2273 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2274 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2275 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2276 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2277 extension.
2278 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2279 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002280 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2281 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2282 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002283 The result is a Number:
2284 1 exists
2285 0 does not exist
2286 -1 not implemented on this system
2287
2288 *exists()*
2289exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2290 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2291 which contains one of these:
2292 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2293 not if it really works)
2294 +option-name Vim option that works.
2295 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2296 done by comparing with an empty
2297 string)
2298 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2299 or user defined function (see
2300 |user-functions|).
2301 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002302 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002303 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2304 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
2305 that this may cause functions to be
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002306 invoked cause an error message for an
2307 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002308 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2309 command or command modifier |:command|.
2310 Returns:
2311 1 for match with start of a command
2312 2 full match with a command
2313 3 matches several user commands
2314 To check for a supported command
2315 always check the return value to be 2.
2316 #event autocommand defined for this event
2317 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2318 pattern (the pattern is taken
2319 literally and compared to the
2320 autocommand patterns character by
2321 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002322 #group autocommand group exists
2323 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2324 event.
2325 #group#event#pattern
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002326 autocommand defined for this group,
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002327 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002328 ##event autocommand for this event is
2329 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002330 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2331
2332 Examples: >
2333 exists("&shortname")
2334 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2335 exists("*strftime")
2336 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2337 exists("bufcount")
2338 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002339 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002340 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002341 exists("#filetypeindent")
2342 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2343 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002344 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002345< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2346 name.
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00002347 Trailing characters that can't be part of the name are often
2348 ignored, but don't depend on it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002349 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2350 variable itself! For example: >
2351 exists(bufcount)
2352< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00002353 but gets the value of "bufcount", and checks if that exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002354
2355expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2356 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2357 The result is a String.
2358
2359 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2360 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2361 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2362
2363 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2364 for a non-existing file is not included.
2365
2366 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2367 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2368 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2369
2370 % current file name
2371 # alternate file name
2372 #n alternate file name n
2373 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2374 <afile> autocmd file name
2375 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2376 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2377 <sfile> sourced script file name
2378 <cword> word under the cursor
2379 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2380 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2381 message |server2client()|
2382 Modifiers:
2383 :p expand to full path
2384 :h head (last path component removed)
2385 :t tail (last path component only)
2386 :r root (one extension removed)
2387 :e extension only
2388
2389 Example: >
2390 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2391< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2392 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2393 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2394< Use this: >
2395 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2396< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2397 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2398 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2399 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2400 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2401<
2402 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2403 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2404 to modify normal file names.
2405
2406 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2407 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2408 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2409 '/' added.
2410
2411 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2412 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2413 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2414 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002415 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2416 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2417 files in the current directory and below: >
2418 :echo expand("**/README")
2419<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002420 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2421 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2422 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2423 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2424 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2425 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2426 "$FOOBAR".
2427
2428 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2429 getting the raw output of an external command.
2430
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002431extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002432 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
2433 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002434
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002435 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002436 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2437 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2438 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2439 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002440 Examples: >
2441 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2442 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002443< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2444 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002445 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002446<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002447 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002448 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2449 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2450 used to decide what to do:
2451 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2452 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002453 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002454 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2455
2456 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2457 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2458 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2459 Returns {expr1}.
2460
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002461
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002462feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) *feedkeys()*
2463 Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00002464 come from a mapping or were typed by user. They are added to
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002465 the end of the typeahead buffer, thus if a mapping is still
2466 being executed these characters come after them.
2467 The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
2468 {string}.
2469 To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
2470 and "\..." notation |expr-quote|. For example,
2471 feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the Enter key. But
2472 feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
2473 If {mode} is absent, keys are remapped.
2474 {mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00002475 'm' Remap keys. This is default.
2476 'n' Do not remap keys.
2477 't' Handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
2478 if coming from a mapping. This matters for undo,
2479 opening folds, etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002480 Return value is always 0.
2481
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002482filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2483 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2484 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2485 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2486 expression, which is used as a String.
2487 *file_readable()*
2488 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2489
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002490
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002491filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002492 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002493 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002494 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002495 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002496 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002497 Examples: >
2498 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2499< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2500 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2501< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2502 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002503< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002504
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002505 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2506 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2507 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2508
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002509 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2510 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002511 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002512
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002513< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002514 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2515 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002516
2517
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002518finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002519 Find directory {name} in {path}. Returns the path of the
2520 first found match. When the found directory is below the
2521 current directory a relative path is returned. Otherwise a
2522 full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002523 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2524 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002525 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00002526 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002527 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002528 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2529
2530findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2531 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002532 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
2533 Example: >
2534 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2535< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2536 the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002537
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002538filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2539 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2540 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2541 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2542 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2543
2544fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2545 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2546 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2547 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2548 Example: >
2549 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2550< results in: >
2551 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2552< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2553 |expand()| first then.
2554
2555foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2556 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2557 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2558 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2559
2560foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2561 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2562 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2563 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2564
2565foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2566 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2567 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2568 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2569 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2570 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2571 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2572 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2573 previous line is usually available.
2574
2575 *foldtext()*
2576foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2577 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2578 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2579 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2580 The returned string looks like this: >
2581 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2582< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2583 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2584 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2585 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2586 options is removed.
2587 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2588
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002589foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2590 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2591 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2592 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2593 returned.
2594 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2595 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2596 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2597 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2598
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002599 *foreground()*
2600foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2601 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2602 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2603 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2604 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2605 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2606 Win32 console version}
2607
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002608
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002609function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002610 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002611 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2612
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002613
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002614garbagecollect() *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002615 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002616 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2617 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2618 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2619 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2620 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002621 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
2622 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
2623 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002624
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002625get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002626 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002627 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2628 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002629get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002630 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002631 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2632 {default} is omitted.
2633
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002634 *getbufline()*
2635getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002636 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2637 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
2638 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002639
2640 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2641
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002642 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2643 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002644
2645 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002646 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002647
2648 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2649 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002650 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002651 returned.
2652
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002653 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002654 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002655
2656 Example: >
2657 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002658
2659getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2660 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2661 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2662 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002663 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2664 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2665 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002666 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2667 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2668 returned, there is no error message.
2669 Examples: >
2670 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2671 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2672<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002673getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2674 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2675 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2676 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2677 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2678 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2679 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2680 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2681 not consumed. If a normal character is
2682 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2683 non-zero value is returned.
2684 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2685 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2686 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2687 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2688 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2689 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2690 user that a character has to be typed.
2691 There is no mapping for the character.
2692 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2693 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2694 sequence. Examples: >
2695 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2696 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2697< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2698 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2699 :function FindChar()
2700 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2701 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2702 : normal l
2703 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2704 : break
2705 : endif
2706 : endwhile
2707 :endfunction
2708
2709getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2710 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2711 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2712 These values are added together:
2713 2 shift
2714 4 control
2715 8 alt (meta)
2716 16 mouse double click
2717 32 mouse triple click
2718 64 mouse quadruple click
2719 128 Macintosh only: command
2720 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2721 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2722 with no modifier.
2723
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002724getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2725 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2726 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2727 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2728 Example: >
2729 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002730< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002731
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002732getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002733 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2734 byte count. The first column is 1.
2735 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2736 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002737 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2738
2739getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
2740 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
2741 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00002742 : normal Ex command
2743 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
2744 / forward search command
2745 ? backward search command
2746 @ |input()| command
2747 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002748 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2749 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
2750 otherwise.
2751 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002752
2753 *getcwd()*
2754getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2755 working directory.
2756
2757getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2758 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2759 given file {fname}.
2760 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2761 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2762
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002763getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2764 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2765 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2766 |hl-Normal|.
2767 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2768 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2769 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2770 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00002771 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002772 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2773 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002774 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2775 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002776
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002777getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2778 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2779 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2780 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2781 empty string is returned.
2782 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2783 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2784 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2785 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2786 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2787 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2788< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2789 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002790
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002791getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2792 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2793 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2794 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2795 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2796 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2797
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002798getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2799 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2800 file of the given file {fname}.
2801 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2802 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2803 results:
2804 Normal file "file"
2805 Directory "dir"
2806 Symbolic link "link"
2807 Block device "bdev"
2808 Character device "cdev"
2809 Socket "socket"
2810 FIFO "fifo"
2811 All other "other"
2812 Example: >
2813 getftype("/home")
2814< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2815 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2816 "file" are returned.
2817
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002818 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002819getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2820 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2821 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002822 getline(1)
2823< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2824 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2825 To get the line under the cursor: >
2826 getline(".")
2827< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2828 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2829
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002830 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
2831 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002832 including line {end}.
2833 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2834 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002835 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002836 Example: >
2837 :let start = line('.')
2838 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2839 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2840
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00002841getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
2842 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
2843 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
2844 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002845 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
2846 returned. Otherwise, same as getqflist().
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002847
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002848getqflist() *getqflist()*
2849 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2850 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2851 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2852 bufname() to get the name
2853 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2854 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002855 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2856 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002857 nr error number
2858 text description of the error
2859 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2860 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2861
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002862 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
2863 returned.
2864
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002865 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2866 do something with them: >
2867 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2868 :for d in getqflist()
2869 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2870 :endfor
2871
2872
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002873getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002874 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002875 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002876 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2877< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002878 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002879 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2880 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2881 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002882 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2883
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002884
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002885getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2886 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2887 The value will be one of:
2888 "v" for |characterwise| text
2889 "V" for |linewise| text
2890 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2891 0 for an empty or unknown register
2892 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2893 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2894
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00002895gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}) *gettabwinvar()*
2896 Get the value of an option or local window variable {varname}
2897 in window {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
2898 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
2899 use |getwinvar()|.
2900 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
2901 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
2902 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
2903 or buffer-local variable.
2904 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2905 Examples: >
2906 :let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
2907 :echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
2908
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002909 *getwinposx()*
2910getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2911 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2912 -1 if the information is not available.
2913
2914 *getwinposy()*
2915getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2916 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2917 information is not available.
2918
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00002919getwinvar({winnr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2920 Like |gettabwinvar()| for the current tabpage.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002921 Examples: >
2922 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2923 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2924<
2925 *glob()*
2926glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2927 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2928 characters.
2929 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2930 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2931
2932 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2933 any external command. Example: >
2934 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2935 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2936< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2937 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2938
2939 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2940 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2941
2942globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2943 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2944 the results. Example: >
2945 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2946< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2947 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2948 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2949 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2950 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2951 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2952 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2953 error message.
2954 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2955 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2956
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002957 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
2958 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
2959 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
2960 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
2961<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002962 *has()*
2963has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2964 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2965 string. See |feature-list| below.
2966 Also see |exists()|.
2967
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002968
2969has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002970 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
2971 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002972
2973
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00002974hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002975 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2976 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2977 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2978 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00002979 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002980 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
2981 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002982 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2983 buffer are checked for a match.
2984 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2985 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2986 n Normal mode
2987 v Visual mode
2988 o Operator-pending mode
2989 i Insert mode
2990 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2991 c Command-line mode
2992 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2993
2994 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2995 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2996 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2997 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2998 :endif
2999< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
3000 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
3001
3002histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
3003 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
3004 one of: *hist-names*
3005 "cmd" or ":" command line history
3006 "search" or "/" search pattern history
3007 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
3008 "input" or "@" input line history
3009 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
3010 shifted to become the newest entry.
3011 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
3012 otherwise 0 is returned.
3013
3014 Example: >
3015 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
3016 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
3017< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3018
3019histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003020 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003021 for the possible values of {history}.
3022
3023 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
3024 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
3025 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
3026 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
3027 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
3028 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
3029 if it exists.
3030
3031 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
3032 otherwise 0 is returned.
3033
3034 Examples:
3035 Clear expression register history: >
3036 :call histdel("expr")
3037<
3038 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
3039 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
3040<
3041 The following three are equivalent: >
3042 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
3043 :call histdel("search", -1)
3044 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
3045<
3046 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
3047 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
3048 :call histdel("search", -1)
3049 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
3050
3051histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
3052 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
3053 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
3054 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
3055 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
3056 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
3057
3058 Examples:
3059 Redo the second last search from history. >
3060 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
3061
3062< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
3063 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
3064 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
3065<
3066histnr({history}) *histnr()*
3067 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
3068 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
3069 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
3070
3071 Example: >
3072 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
3073<
3074hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
3075 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
3076 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
3077 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
3078 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
3079 item.
3080 *highlight_exists()*
3081 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
3082
3083 *hlID()*
3084hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
3085 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
3086 zero is returned.
3087 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
3088 group. For example, to get the background color of the
3089 "Comment" group: >
3090 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
3091< *highlightID()*
3092 Obsolete name: highlightID().
3093
3094hostname() *hostname()*
3095 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003096 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003097 256 characters long are truncated.
3098
3099iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
3100 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
3101 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
3102 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
3103 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
3104 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
3105 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
3106 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
3107 can be done.
3108 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
3109 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
3110 UTF-8 and use: >
3111 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
3112< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
3113 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
3114 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
3115 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
3116
3117 *indent()*
3118indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
3119 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
3120 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
3121 |getline()|.
3122 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
3123
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003124
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003125index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003126 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003127 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003128 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
3129 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003130 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
3131 case must match.
3132 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
3133 Example: >
3134 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003135 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003136
3137
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003138input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003139 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
3140 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
3141 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003142 prompt to start a new line.
3143 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3144 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
3145 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
3146 for lines typed for input().
3147 Example: >
3148 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3149 : echo "Cheers!"
3150 :endif
3151<
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003152 If the optional {text} is present and not empty, this is used
3153 for the default reply, as if the user typed this. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003154 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3155
3156< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3157 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
3158 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
3159 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
3160 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
3161 more information. Example: >
3162 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3163<
3164 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3165 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003166 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3167 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3168 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3169 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3170 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3171 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3172 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3173
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003174 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003175 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3176 :function GetFoo()
3177 : call inputsave()
3178 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3179 : call inputrestore()
3180 :endfunction
3181
3182inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
3183 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
3184 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
3185 Example: >
3186 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3187 :if n != ""
3188 : let &sw = n
3189 :endif
3190< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3191 omitted an empty string is returned.
3192 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3193 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003194 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003195
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003196inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003197 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
3198 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
3199 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003200 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
3201 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
3202 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3203 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3204 is returned.
3205 Make sure {textlist} has less then 'lines' entries, otherwise
3206 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
3207 the start of the string. Example: >
3208 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3209 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3210
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003211inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
3212 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
3213 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3214 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3215 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3216
3217inputsave() *inputsave()*
3218 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3219 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3220 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3221 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3222 many inputrestore() calls.
3223 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3224
3225inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3226 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3227 two exceptions:
3228 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3229 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3230 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3231 |history| stack.
3232 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3233 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003234 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003235
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003236insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003237 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003238 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
3239 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
3240 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3241 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003242 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003243 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3244 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3245 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003246< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003247 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003248 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003249
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003250isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3251 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3252 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3253 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3254 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3255
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003256islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003257 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3258 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003259 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3260 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003261 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3262 :lockvar 1 alist
3263 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3264 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3265
3266< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003267 message. Use |exists()| to check for existence.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003268
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003269items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003270 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3271 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3272 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3273 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003274
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003275
3276join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3277 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3278 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3279 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3280 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3281 add it there too: >
3282 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003283< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003284 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3285 The opposite function is |split()|.
3286
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003287keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003288 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003289 arbitrary order.
3290
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003291 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003292len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3293 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3294 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003295 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003296 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003297 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3298 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003299 Otherwise an error is given.
3300
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003301 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3302libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3303 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3304 with single argument {argument}.
3305 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3306 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3307 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3308 limited.
3309 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3310 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3311 to Vim.
3312 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3313 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3314 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3315 null-terminated string.
3316 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3317
3318 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3319 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3320 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3321 very probably crash.
3322
3323 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3324 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3325 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3326 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3327 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3328 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3329 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3330 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3331 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3332 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3333
3334 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
3335 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
3336 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3337 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3338 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3339 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3340 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3341 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3342 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3343 feature is present}
3344 Examples: >
3345 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
3346 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
3347<
3348 *libcallnr()*
3349libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3350 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3351 int instead of a string.
3352 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3353 feature is present}
3354 Example (not very useful...): >
3355 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3356 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3357<
3358 *line()*
3359line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3360 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3361 . the cursor position
3362 $ the last line in the current buffer
3363 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3364 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003365 w0 first line visible in current window
3366 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003367 Note that a mark in another file can be used.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003368 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
3369 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003370 Examples: >
3371 line(".") line number of the cursor
3372 line("'t") line number of mark t
3373 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3374< *last-position-jump*
3375 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3376 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3377 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003378
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003379line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3380 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3381 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3382 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3383 line returns 1.
3384 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3385 below the last line: >
3386 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3387< This is the file size plus one.
3388 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3389 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3390 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3391
3392lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3393 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3394 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3395 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3396 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3397 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3398 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3399
3400localtime() *localtime()*
3401 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3402 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3403
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003404
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003405map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003406 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003407 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3408 {string}.
3409 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003410 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003411 Example: >
3412 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003413< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003414
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003415 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003416 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003417 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3418 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003419
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003420 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3421 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003422 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003423
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003424< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003425 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3426 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003427
3428
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003429maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *maparg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003430 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3431 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003432 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003433 "n" Normal
3434 "v" Visual
3435 "o" Operator-pending
3436 "i" Insert
3437 "c" Cmd-line
3438 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3439 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003440 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003441 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3442 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003443 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3444 command. The returned String has special characters
3445 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3446 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3447 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00003448 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
3449 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
3450 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
3451
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003452
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003453mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003454 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3455 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3456 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003457 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3458 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003459 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3460 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3461
3462 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3463 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3464 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3465 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3466 mapcheck("b") no no no
3467
3468 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3469 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3470 mapping for {name} exactly.
3471 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3472 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3473 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3474 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3475 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3476 then the global mappings.
3477 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3478 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3479 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3480 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3481 :endif
3482< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3483 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3484
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003485match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003486 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
3487 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003488 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003489 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3490 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3491 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003492 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003493 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3494 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003495 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003496 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003497< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003498 *strpbrk()*
3499 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3500 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3501< *strcasestr()*
3502 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3503 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3504 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3505<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003506 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003507 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003508 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003509 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003510 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3511< result is again "4". >
3512 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3513< result is again "4". >
3514 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3515< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003516 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003517 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
3518 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
3519 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
3520 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003521 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3522 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003523 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
3524 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003525
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003526 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003527 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003528 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
3529 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
3530< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003531 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
3532 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003533
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003534 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3535 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3536 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3537 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3538
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003539
3540matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003541 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003542 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
3543 Return a |List| with two elements:
3544 The name of the highlight group used
3545 The pattern used.
3546 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
3547 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
3548 This is usef to save and restore a |:match|.
3549
3550
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003551matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003552 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3553 the match. Example: >
3554 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3555< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003556 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3557 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3558 do it with matchend(): >
3559 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3560 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3561< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3562
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003563 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3564 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3565< results in "7". >
3566 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3567< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003568 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003569
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003570matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003571 Same as match(), but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003572 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3573 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00003574 in |:substitute|. When an optional submatch didn't match an
3575 empty string is used. Example: >
3576 echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
3577< Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003578 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3579
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003580matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003581 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3582 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3583< results in "ing".
3584 When there is no match "" is returned.
3585 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3586 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3587< results in "ing". >
3588 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3589< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003590 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003591 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003592
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003593 *max()*
3594max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3595 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3596 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003597 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003598
3599 *min()*
3600min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3601 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3602 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003603 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003604
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003605 *mkdir()* *E739*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003606mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3607 Create directory {name}.
3608 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3609 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3610 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3611 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3612 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3613 for others.
3614 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3615 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3616 :if exists("*mkdir")
3617<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003618 *mode()*
3619mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3620 n Normal
3621 v Visual by character
3622 V Visual by line
3623 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3624 s Select by character
3625 S Select by line
3626 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3627 i Insert
3628 R Replace
3629 c Command-line
3630 r Hit-enter prompt
3631 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3632 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3633
3634nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3635 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3636 that is not blank. Example: >
3637 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3638< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3639 below it, zero is returned.
3640 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3641
3642nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3643 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3644 value {expr}. Examples: >
3645 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3646 nr2char(32) returns " "
3647< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3648 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3649< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3650 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3651 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003652 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003653
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003654 *getpos()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003655getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
3656 see |line()|.
3657 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
3658 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
3659 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
3660 is the buffer number of the mark.
3661 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
3662 column is 1.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003663 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
3664 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
3665 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
3666 character.
3667 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
3668 let save_cursor = getpos(".")
3669 MoveTheCursorAround
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00003670 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003671< Also see |setpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003672
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003673pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
3674 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
3675 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
3676 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
3677 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
3678 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
3679< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
3680 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
3681
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003682prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3683 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3684 that is not blank. Example: >
3685 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3686< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3687 above it, zero is returned.
3688 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3689
3690
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003691printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
3692 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
3693 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003694 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003695< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003696 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003697
3698 Often used items are:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003699 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003700 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
3701 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003702 %c single byte
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003703 %d decimal number
3704 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
3705 %x hex number
3706 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
3707 %X hex number using upper case letters
3708 %o octal number
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003709 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003710
3711 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
3712 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
3713 the result.
3714
3715 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003716 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003717
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003718 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003719
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003720 flags
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003721 Zero or more of the following flags:
3722
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003723 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
3724 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
3725 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
3726 of the number is increased to force the first
3727 character of the output string to a zero (except
3728 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
3729 precision of zero).
3730 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
3731 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
3732 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003733
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003734 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
3735 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
3736 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
3737 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
3738 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003739
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003740 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
3741 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
3742 The converted value is padded on the right with
3743 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
3744 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003745
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003746 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
3747 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003748
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003749 + A sign must always be placed before a number
3750 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
3751 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003752
3753 field-width
3754 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003755 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
3756 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
3757 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
3758 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003759
3760 .precision
3761 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
3762 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
3763 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
3764 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
3765 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003766 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003767
3768 type
3769 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
3770 be applied, see below.
3771
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003772 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
3773 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
3774 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
3775 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
3776 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
3777 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003778 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003779< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003780 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003781
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003782 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003783
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003784 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
3785 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
3786 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
3787 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003788 conversions.
3789 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
3790 digits that must appear; if the converted value
3791 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
3792 zeros.
3793 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
3794 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
3795 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
3796 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
3797
3798 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
3799 resulting character is written.
3800
3801 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
3802 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
3803 specified are used.
3804
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003805 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
3806 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003807
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003808 Each argument can be Number or String and is converted
3809 automatically to fit the conversion specifier. Any other
3810 argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003811
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00003812 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003813 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
3814 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003815 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003816
3817
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003818pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
3819 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
3820 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00003821 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
3822 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003823
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003824 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003825range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003826 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003827 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3828 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3829 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3830 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3831 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003832 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
3833 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
3834 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003835 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003836 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003837 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3838 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003839 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003840 range(0) " []
3841 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003842<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003843 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003844readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003845 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
3846 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003847 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3848 NL appears somewhere).
3849 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3850 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3851 added.
3852 - No CR characters are removed.
3853 Otherwise:
3854 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3855 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3856 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003857 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
3858 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
3859 lines of a file: >
3860 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
3861 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
3862 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003863< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
3864 are returned, or as many as there are.
3865 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003866 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
3867 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
3868 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003869 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3870 the result is an empty list.
3871 Also see |writefile()|.
3872
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00003873reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
3874 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
3875 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
3876 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
3877 Without an argument it returns the current time.
3878 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
3879 specified in the argument.
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003880 With two arguments it returns the time passed between {start}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00003881 and {end}.
3882 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
3883 reltime().
3884 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
3885
3886reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
3887 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
3888 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
3889 microseconds. Example: >
3890 let start = reltime()
3891 call MyFunction()
3892 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
3893< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
3894 The accuracy depends on the system.
3895 Also see |profiling|.
3896 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
3897
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003898 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3899remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3900 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3901 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003902 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
3903 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
3904 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003905 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3906 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3907 remote_read() is stored there.
3908 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3909 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3910 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3911 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3912 and the result will be the empty string.
3913 Examples: >
3914 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3915 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3916<
3917
3918remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3919 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3920 This works like: >
3921 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3922< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3923 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3924 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00003925 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
3926 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003927 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3928 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3929 Win32 console version}
3930
3931
3932remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3933 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3934 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3935 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3936 name of a variable.
3937 Returns zero if none are available.
3938 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3939 See also |clientserver|.
3940 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3941 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3942 Examples: >
3943 :let repl = ""
3944 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3945
3946remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3947 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3948 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3949 See also |clientserver|.
3950 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3951 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3952 Example: >
3953 :echo remote_read(id)
3954<
3955 *remote_send()* *E241*
3956remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003957 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3958 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3959 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003960 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
3961 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
3962 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003963 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3964 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3965 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3966 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3967 up the display.
3968 Examples: >
3969 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3970 \ remote_read(serverid)
3971
3972 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3973 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3974 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3975 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003976<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003977remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003978 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003979 return it.
3980 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3981 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3982 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3983 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3984 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003985 Example: >
3986 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003987 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003988remove({dict}, {key})
3989 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3990 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3991< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3992
3993 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003994
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003995rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3996 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3997 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3998 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3999 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
4000 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4001
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004002repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
4003 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
4004 result. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004005 :let separator = repeat('-', 80)
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004006< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004007 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004008 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004009 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
4010< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004011
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004012
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004013resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
4014 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
4015 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
4016 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
4017 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
4018 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
4019 stopped after 100 iterations.
4020 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
4021 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
4022 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
4023 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
4024 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
4025
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004026 *reverse()*
4027reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
4028 {list}.
4029 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4030 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
4031
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004032search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004033 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004034 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004035
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004036 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
4037 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004038 'c' accept a match at the cursor position
4039 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004040 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004041 'p' return number of matching sub-pattern (see below)
4042 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004043 'w' wrap around the end of the file
4044 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
4045 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
4046
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00004047 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
4048 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
4049 flag.
4050
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004051 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
4052 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
4053 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
4054 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
4055 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
4056< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
4057 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
4058
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004059 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
4060 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004061 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
4062 *search()-sub-match*
4063 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
4064 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
4065 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004066 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004067
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004068 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
4069 flag is used.
4070
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004071 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
4072 :let n = 1
4073 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
4074 : exe "argument " . n
4075 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
4076 : " first search to find match at start of file
4077 : normal G$
4078 : let flags = "w"
4079 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
4080 : s/foo/bar/g
4081 : let flags = "W"
4082 : endwhile
4083 : update " write the file if modified
4084 : let n = n + 1
4085 :endwhile
4086<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004087 Example for using some flags: >
4088 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
4089< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
4090 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
4091 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
4092 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
4093 line:
4094 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
4095 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
4096 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
4097 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
4098 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
4099
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004100
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004101searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
4102 Search for the declaration of {name}.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004103
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004104 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
4105 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
4106 first match in the function.
4107
4108 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
4109 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
4110 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
4111
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004112 Moves the cursor to the found match.
4113 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4114 Example: >
4115 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
4116 echo getline('.')
4117 endif
4118<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004119 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004120searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004121 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
4122 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
4123 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004124 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
4125 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
4126 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
4127 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
4128 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
4129 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004130
4131 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
4132 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
4133 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
4134 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
4135 typical use is: >
4136 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
4137< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
4138
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004139 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
4140 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004141 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
4142 outer pair
4143 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004144 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004145
4146 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
4147 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
4148 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
4149 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
4150 or a string.
4151 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
4152 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
4153 and -1 returned.
4154
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004155 For {stopline} see |search()|.
4156
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004157 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
4158 patterns are used like it's on.
4159
4160 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
4161 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
4162 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
4163 if 1
4164 if 2
4165 endif 2
4166 endif 1
4167< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
4168 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
4169 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
4170 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
4171 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
4172 "endif 2".
4173 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
4174 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
4175 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
4176 the matching start.
4177
4178 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
4179
4180 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
4181 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
4182
4183< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
4184 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
4185 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
4186 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
4187 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
4188 match.
4189 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
4190
4191 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
4192
4193< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
4194 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
4195 highlighting recognized as strings: >
4196
4197 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
4198 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
4199<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004200 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004201searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004202 Same as searchpair(), but returns a |List| with the line and
4203 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4204 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004205 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4206 returns [0, 0].
4207>
4208 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
4209<
4210 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
4211
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004212searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *searchpos()*
4213 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004214 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4215 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
4216 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4217 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004218 Example: >
4219 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
4220
4221< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
4222 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
4223 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
4224< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
4225 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
4226
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004227server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
4228 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
4229 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
4230 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4231 Note:
4232 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004233 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004234 before calling any commands that waits for input.
4235 See also |clientserver|.
4236 Example: >
4237 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
4238<
4239serverlist() *serverlist()*
4240 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
4241 When there are no servers or the information is not available
4242 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
4243 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4244 Example: >
4245 :echo serverlist()
4246<
4247setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
4248 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
4249 {val}.
4250 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
4251 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
4252 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
4253 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
4254 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
4255 Examples: >
4256 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
4257 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
4258< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4259
4260setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
4261 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
4262 {pos}. The first position is 1.
4263 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
4264 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004265 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
4266 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
4267 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
4268 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
4269 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004270 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
4271 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
4272 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
4273 line.
4274
4275setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004276 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
4277 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004278 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
4279 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004280 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
4281 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004282 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004283< When {line} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004284 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
4285 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
4286< This is equivalent to: >
4287 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
4288 : call setline(n, l)
4289 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004290< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
4291
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004292setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
4293 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
4294 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004295 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
4296 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004297 Otherwise, same as setqflist().
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004298
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004299 *setpos()*
4300setpos({expr}, {list})
4301 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
4302 . the cursor
4303 'x mark x
4304
4305 {list} must be a |List| with four numbers:
4306 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4307
4308 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004309 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004310 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
4311 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
4312 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004313 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004314
4315 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4316 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark.
4317
4318 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
4319 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
4320 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
4321 character.
4322
4323 Also see |getpos()|
4324
4325
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004326setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004327 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
4328 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
4329 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
4330 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004331
4332 filename name of a file
4333 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004334 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004335 col column number
4336 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004337 when zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004338 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004339 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004340 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004341
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004342 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
4343 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
4344 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004345 If the "filename" entry is not present or neither the "lnum"
4346 or "pattern" entries are present, then the item will not be
4347 handled as an error line.
4348 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
4349 be used.
4350
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004351 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
4352 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
4353 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
4354 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
4355 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
4356 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
4357
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004358 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
4359
4360 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
4361 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
4362 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
4363
4364
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004365 *setreg()*
4366setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
4367 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
4368 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
4369 then the value is appended.
4370 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
4371 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
4372 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
4373 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
4374 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
4375 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
4376 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
4377 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
4378
4379 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
4380 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
4381 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
4382 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4383
4384 Examples: >
4385 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
4386 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
4387 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
4388
4389< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
4390 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004391 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004392 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
4393 ....
4394 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
4395
4396< You can also change the type of a register by appending
4397 nothing: >
4398 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
4399
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004400settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabwinvar()*
4401 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
4402 {val}.
4403 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
4404 use |setwinvar()|.
4405 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004406 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
4407 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
4408 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
4409 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004410 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
4411 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
4412 Examples: >
4413 :call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
4414 :call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
4415< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4416
4417setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
4418 Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004419 Examples: >
4420 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
4421 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004422
4423simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
4424 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
4425 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
4426 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
4427 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
4428 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
4429 not removed either.
4430 Example: >
4431 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
4432< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
4433 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
4434 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
4435 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
4436 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
4437
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004438
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004439sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004440 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
4441 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4442 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
4443< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004444 Numbers sort after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004445 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004446 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004447 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
4448 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004449 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
4450 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
4451 sorts before the second one. Example: >
4452 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
4453 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
4454 endfunc
4455 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004456<
4457
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004458 *soundfold()*
4459soundfold({word})
4460 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
4461 language in 'spellang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004462 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
4463 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004464 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
4465 the method can be quite slow.
4466
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004467 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004468spellbadword([{sentence}])
4469 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
4470 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
4471 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
4472 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
4473
4474 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
4475 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
4476 result is an empty string.
4477
4478 The return value is a list with two items:
4479 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
4480 - The type of the spelling error:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004481 "bad" spelling mistake
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004482 "rare" rare word
4483 "local" word only valid in another region
4484 "caps" word should start with Capital
4485 Example: >
4486 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
4487< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
4488
4489 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
4490 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
4491 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004492
4493 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004494spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004495 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004496 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
4497 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
4498
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004499 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
4500 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
4501 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
4502
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004503 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
4504 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00004505 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
4506 replace a line.
4507
4508 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004509 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
4510 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004511
4512 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004513 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
4514 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004515
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004516
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004517split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004518 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
4519 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
4520 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004521 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004522 removing the matched characters.
4523 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
4524 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00004525 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
4526 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004527 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004528 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004529< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004530 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00004531< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
4532 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
4533< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004534 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
4535 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
4536< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004537
4538
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004539str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
4540 Convert string {expr} to a number.
4541 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 8, 10 or 16.
4542 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
4543 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
4544 with the default String to Number conversion.
4545 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
4546 different base the result will be zero.
4547 Text after the number is silently ignored.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004548
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004549
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004550strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
4551 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
4552 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
4553 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
4554 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
4555 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
4556 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
4557 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
4558 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
4559 Examples: >
4560 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
4561 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
4562 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
4563 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
4564 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
4565 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004566< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4567 :if exists("*strftime")
4568
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004569stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
4570 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4571 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004572 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
4573 This can be used to find a second match: >
4574 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
4575 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
4576< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004577 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004578 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004579 See also |strridx()|.
4580 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004581 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
4582 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
4583 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004584< *strstr()* *strchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004585 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
4586 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
4587
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004588 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004589string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
4590 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
4591 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004592 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004593 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004594 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004595 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004596 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004597 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004598 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004599
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004600 *strlen()*
4601strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004602 {expr} in bytes.
4603 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
4604 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004605
4606 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004607<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004608 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
4609 For other types an error is given.
4610 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004611
4612strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
4613 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004614 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004615 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
4616 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
4617 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
4618 end of the {src}. >
4619 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
4620 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
4621 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
4622 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
4623< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
4624 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00004625 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004626<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004627strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
4628 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4629 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
4630 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
4631 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
4632 match: >
4633 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
4634 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
4635< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004636 For pattern searches use |match()|.
4637 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004638 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004639 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004640 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004641< *strrchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004642 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
4643 function strrchr().
4644
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004645strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
4646 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
4647 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
4648 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
4649 echo strtrans(@a)
4650< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
4651 starting a new line.
4652
4653submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
4654 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
4655 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
4656 the whole matched text is returned.
4657 Example: >
4658 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
4659< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
4660 A line break is included as a newline character.
4661
4662substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
4663 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
4664 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
4665 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
4666 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
4667 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
4668 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
4669 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
4670 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
4671 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
4672 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
4673 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
4674 unmodified.
4675 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
4676 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
4677 Example: >
4678 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
4679< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
4680 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
4681< results in "TESTING".
4682
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004683synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004684 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004685 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004686 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
4687 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004688
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004689 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004690 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
4691
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004692 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
4693 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
4694 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
4695 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
4696 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
4697 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
4698 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
4699
4700 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
4701 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
4702<
4703synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
4704 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
4705 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
4706 about a syntax item.
4707 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
4708 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
4709 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
4710 used (GUI, cterm or term).
4711 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
4712 {what} result
4713 "name" the name of the syntax item
4714 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
4715 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
4716 term: empty string)
4717 "bg" background color (like "fg")
4718 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
4719 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
4720 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
4721 "bold" "1" if bold
4722 "italic" "1" if italic
4723 "reverse" "1" if reverse
4724 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
4725 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004726 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004727
4728 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
4729 cursor): >
4730 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
4731<
4732synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
4733 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
4734 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
4735 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
4736 ":highlight link" are followed.
4737
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004738system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
4739 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
4740 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
4741 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
4742 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004743 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004744 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
4745 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
4746 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004747 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
4748 The result is a String. Example: >
4749
4750 :let files = system("ls")
4751
4752< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
4753 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
4754 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
4755 The command executed is constructed using several options:
4756 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
4757 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
4758 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
4759 concatenated commands.
4760
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004761 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
4762 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
4763
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004764 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
4765 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00004766
4767 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
4768 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
4769 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004770 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
4771 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
4772
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004773
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004774tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004775 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004776 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
4777 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
4778 omitted the current tab page is used.
4779 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
4780 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
4781 tablist = []
4782 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
4783 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
4784 endfor
4785< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
4786
4787
4788tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004789 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4790 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
4791 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
4792 page is returned (the tab page count).
4793 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
4794
4795
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004796tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
4797 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {arg}.
4798 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
4799 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
4800 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
4801 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
4802 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
4803 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
4804 Useful examples: >
4805 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
4806 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
4807< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
4808
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00004809 *tagfiles()*
4810tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
4811 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
4812
4813
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004814taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
4815 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00004816 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
4817 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004818 name Name of the tag.
4819 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004820 defined.
4821 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
4822 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004823 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004824 entry depends on the language specific
4825 kind values generated by the ctags
4826 tool.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004827 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004828 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004829 The "kind" entry is only available when using Exuberant ctags
4830 generated tags file. More entries may be present, depending
4831 on the content of the tags file: access, implementation,
4832 inherits and signature. Refer to the ctags documentation for
4833 information about these fields. For C code the fields
4834 "struct", "class" and "enum" may appear, they give the name of
4835 the entity the tag is contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004836
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004837 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
4838 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004839
4840 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
4841
4842 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
4843 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
4844 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
4845
4846 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
4847 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
4848 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
4849
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004850tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
4851 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
4852 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
4853 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
4854 :let tmpfile = tempname()
4855 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
4856< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
4857 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
4858 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
4859 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
4860 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
4861 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
4862
4863tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
4864 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
4865 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
4866 the string).
4867
4868toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
4869 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
4870 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
4871 the string).
4872
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00004873tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
4874 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
4875 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
4876 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
4877 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
4878 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
4879 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
4880
4881 Examples: >
4882 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
4883< returns "Hello THere" >
4884 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
4885< returns "{blob}"
4886
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004887 *type()*
4888type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004889 Number: 0
4890 String: 1
4891 Funcref: 2
4892 List: 3
4893 Dictionary: 4
4894 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004895 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
4896 :if type(myvar) == type("")
4897 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
4898 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004899 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004900
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004901values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004902 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
4903 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004904
4905
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004906virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
4907 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
4908 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
4909 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
4910 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
4911 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
4912 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
4913 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004914 For the use of {expr} see |col()|. Additionally you can use
Bram Moolenaar5c8837f2006-02-25 21:52:33 +00004915 [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line and column number. When
4916 "lnum" or "col" is out of range then virtcol() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004917 When 'virtualedit' is used it can be [lnum, col, off], where
4918 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
4919 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
4920 character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004921 For the byte position use |col()|.
4922 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
4923 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
4924 The accepted positions are:
4925 . the cursor position
4926 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
4927 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
4928 plus one)
4929 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
4930 returned)
4931 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
4932 Examples: >
4933 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
4934 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
4935 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
4936< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
4937
4938visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
4939 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004940 used in the current buffer. Initially it returns an empty
4941 string, but once Visual mode has been used, it returns "v",
4942 "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a single CTRL-V character) for
4943 character-wise, line-wise, or block-wise Visual mode
4944 respectively.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004945 Example: >
4946 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
4947< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
4948 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
4949 Visual mode that was used.
4950
4951 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
4952 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
4953 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
4954 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
4955
4956 *winbufnr()*
4957winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004958 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004959 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
4960 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4961 Example: >
4962 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
4963<
4964 *wincol()*
4965wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
4966 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
4967 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
4968
4969winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
4970 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
4971 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
4972 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4973 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
4974 Examples: >
4975 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
4976<
4977 *winline()*
4978winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
4979 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
4980 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004981 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
4982 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004983
4984 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004985winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4986 window. The top window has number 1.
4987 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004988 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004989 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
4990 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
4991 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
4992 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
4993 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004994
4995 *winrestcmd()*
4996winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
4997 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004998 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
4999 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005000 Example: >
5001 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
5002 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
5003 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005004<
5005 *winrestview()*
5006winrestview({dict})
5007 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
5008 the view of the current window.
5009 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
5010 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
5011
5012 *winsaveview()*
5013winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
5014 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
5015 restore the view.
5016 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
5017 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
5018 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005019 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
5020 not opened when moving around.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005021 The return value includes:
5022 lnum cursor line number
5023 col cursor column
5024 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
5025 curswant column for vertical movement
5026 topline first line in the window
5027 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
5028 leftcol first column displayed
5029 skipcol columns skipped
5030 Note that no option values are saved.
5031
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005032
5033winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
5034 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
5035 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
5036 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5037 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
5038 Examples: >
5039 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
5040 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
5041 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
5042 :endif
5043<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005044 *writefile()*
5045writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005046 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005047 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
5048 Number.
5049 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
5050 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
5051 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
5052 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
5053 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
5054 to writefile().
5055 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
5056 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
5057 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
5058 fails.
5059 Also see |readfile()|.
5060 To copy a file byte for byte: >
5061 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
5062 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
5063<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005064
5065 *feature-list*
5066There are three types of features:
50671. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
5068 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
5069 :if has("cindent")
50702. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
5071 Example: >
5072 :if has("gui_running")
5073< *has-patch*
50743. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
5075 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
5076 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
5077 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
5078
5079all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
5080amiga Amiga version of Vim.
5081arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
5082arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00005083autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005084balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00005085balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005086beos BeOS version of Vim.
5087browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
5088 work.
5089builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
5090byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
5091cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
5092clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
5093clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
5094cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
5095cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
5096cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
5097comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
5098cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
5099cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
5100compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
5101debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
5102dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
5103dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
5104diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
5105digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
5106dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
5107dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
5108dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
5109ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
5110emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
5111eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
5112 true, of course!
5113ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
5114extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
5115 |'hlsearch'|
5116farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
5117file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005118filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
5119 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005120find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
5121 |+find_in_path|.
5122fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
5123 Windows this is not present).
5124folding Compiled with |folding| support.
5125footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
5126fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
5127gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
5128gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
5129gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005130gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
5131gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
5132gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
5133gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
5134gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
5135gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
5136gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
5137gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
5138hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
5139iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
5140insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
5141 Insert mode.
5142jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
5143keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
5144langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
5145libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
5146linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
5147 support.
5148lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
5149listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
5150 and the argument list |arglist|.
5151localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
5152mac Macintosh version of Vim.
5153macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
5154menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
5155mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
5156modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
5157mouse Compiled with support mouse.
5158mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
5159mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
5160mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
5161mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
5162mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
5163mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
5164multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
5165multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
5166multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00005167mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005168netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00005169netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005170ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
5171os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
5172osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
5173path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
5174perl Compiled with Perl interface.
5175postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
5176printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005177profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005178python Compiled with Python interface.
5179qnx QNX version of Vim.
5180quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
5181rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
5182ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
5183scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
5184showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
5185signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
5186smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00005187sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005188statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
5189 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
5190sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00005191spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
5192syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005193syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
5194 current buffer.
5195system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
5196tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
5197 |tag-binary-search|.
5198tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
5199 |tag-old-static|.
5200tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
5201 files |tag-any-white|.
5202tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
5203terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
5204termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
5205textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
5206tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
5207 or terminfo file.
5208title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
5209toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
5210unix Unix version of Vim.
5211user_commands User-defined commands.
5212viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
5213vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
5214vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
5215virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
5216visual Compiled with Visual mode.
5217visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
5218 |blockwise-operators|.
5219vms VMS version of Vim.
5220vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
5221wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
5222wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
5223windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
5224winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
5225win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
5226win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
5227win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
5228win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
5229win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
5230writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
5231xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
5232xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
5233xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
5234xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
5235xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
5236xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
5237 xterm screen.
5238x11 Compiled with X11 support.
5239
5240 *string-match*
5241Matching a pattern in a String
5242
5243A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
5244the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
5245everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
5246like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
5247line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
5248with ".". Example: >
5249 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
5250 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
5251 aa
5252 xx
5253 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
5254 a
5255 x
5256
5257Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
5258"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
5259"\n".
5260
5261==============================================================================
52625. Defining functions *user-functions*
5263
5264New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
5265functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
5266commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
5267
5268The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
5269builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
5270avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
5271the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
5272
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005273It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
5274|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005275
5276 *local-function*
5277A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
5278can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
5279and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
5280function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
5281instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
5282
5283 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
5284:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
5285
5286:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005287 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5288 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005289 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005290
5291:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
5292 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
5293 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005294<
5295 *:function-verbose*
5296When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
5297last defined. Example: >
5298
5299 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
5300 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
5301 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
5302<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00005303See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005304
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005305 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005306:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005307 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
5308 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
5309 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005310
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005311 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5312 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005313 :function dict.init(arg)
5314< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
5315 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
5316 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
5317 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
5318 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
5319 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005320 *E127* *E122*
5321 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
5322 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
5323 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
5324 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005325
5326 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
5327
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005328 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
5329 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
5330 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
5331 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
5332 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
5333 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
5334 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005335
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005336 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
5337 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005338
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005339 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005340 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005341 local variable "self" will then be set to the
5342 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005343
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00005344 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
5345 will not be changed by the function.
5346
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005347 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
5348:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
5349 by its own, without other commands.
5350
5351 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
5352:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005353 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5354 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005355 :delfunc dict.init
5356< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
5357 function is deleted if there are no more references to
5358 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005359 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
5360:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
5361 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
5362 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
5363 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
5364 the number 0 is returned.
5365 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
5366 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
5367
5368 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
5369 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
5370 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
5371 are executed first. This process applies to all
5372 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
5373 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
5374
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005375 *function-argument* *a:var*
5376An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
5377be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
5378 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
5379Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
5380arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
5381may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
5382as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005383can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
5384that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005385 *E742*
5386The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005387However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can changes their contents.
5388Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
5389it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
5390|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005391
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005392When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
5393to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
5394may be larger.
5395
5396It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
5397still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
5398until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
5399inside a function body.
5400
5401 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005402Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
5403will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
5404accessed with "g:".
5405
5406Example: >
5407 :function Table(title, ...)
5408 : echohl Title
5409 : echo a:title
5410 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005411 : echo a:0 . " items:"
5412 : for s in a:000
5413 : echon ' ' . s
5414 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005415 :endfunction
5416
5417This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005418 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
5419 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005420
5421To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
5422 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
5423 : if a:n2 == 0
5424 : return "fail"
5425 : endif
5426 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
5427 : return "ok"
5428 :endfunction
5429
5430This function can then be called with: >
5431 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
5432 :if success == "ok"
5433 : echo div
5434 :endif
5435
5436An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
5437with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
5438 :function Foo()
5439 : execute Bar()
5440 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
5441 :endfunction
5442
5443 :function Bar()
5444 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
5445 :endfunction
5446
5447The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
5448the caller to set the names.
5449
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00005450 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005451:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
5452 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
5453 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
5454 used.
5455 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
5456 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
5457 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
5458 function.
5459 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
5460 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
5461 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
5462 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
5463 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
5464 this works:
5465 *function-range-example* >
5466 :function Mynumber(arg)
5467 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
5468 :endfunction
5469 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
5470<
5471 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
5472 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
5473 the range.
5474
5475 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
5476
5477 :function Cont() range
5478 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
5479 :endfunction
5480 :4,8call Cont()
5481<
5482 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
5483 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
5484
5485 *E132*
5486The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
5487option.
5488
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005489
5490AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005491 *autoload-functions*
5492When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005493only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
5494the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
5495
5496
5497Using an autocommand ~
5498
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005499This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
5500
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005501The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
5502You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
5503That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
5504again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
5505
5506Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
5507function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005508
5509 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
5510
5511The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
5512"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
5513
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005514
5515Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005516 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005517This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
5518
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005519Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
5520exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
5521like this: >
5522
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005523 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005524
5525When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
5526"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
5527"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
5528then define the function like this: >
5529
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005530 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005531 echo "Done!"
5532 endfunction
5533
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00005534The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005535exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
5536called.
5537
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005538It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
5539a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005540
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005541 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005542
5543Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
5544
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005545This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
5546
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005547 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005548
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00005549However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
5550for an unknown variable.
5551
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005552When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
5553be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
5554
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005555 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
5556 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005557
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00005558Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
5559defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
5560function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005561And you will get an error message every time.
5562
5563Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
5564other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
5565Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005566
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005567Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
5568|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
5569
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005570==============================================================================
55716. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
5572
5573Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
5574This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
5575{} like this: >
5576 my_{adjective}_variable
5577
5578When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
5579that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
5580name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
5581"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
5582"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
5583
5584One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
5585value. For example, the statement >
5586 echo my_{&background}_message
5587
5588would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
5589on the current value of 'background'.
5590
5591You can use multiple brace pairs: >
5592 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
5593..or even nest them: >
5594 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
5595where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
5596
5597However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005598variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005599 :let foo='a + b'
5600 :echo c{foo}d
5601.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
5602
5603 *curly-braces-function-names*
5604You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
5605Example: >
5606 :let func_end='whizz'
5607 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
5608
5609This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
5610
5611==============================================================================
56127. Commands *expression-commands*
5613
5614:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
5615 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
5616 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
5617 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
5618 is created.
5619
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005620:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
5621 Set a list item to the result of the expression
5622 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
5623 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
5624 the index can be repeated.
5625 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
5626
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005627 *E711* *E719*
5628:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005629 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
5630 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005631 correct number of items.
5632 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
5633 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
5634 When the selected range of items is partly past the
5635 end of the list, items will be added.
5636
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005637 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005638:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
5639:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
5640:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
5641 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
5642 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
5643
5644
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005645:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
5646 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
5647 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005648:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
5649 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
5650 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
5651 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005652
5653:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
5654 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
5655 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
5656 must be the name of a writable register (see
5657 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
5658 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
5659 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
5660 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
5661 characterwise.
5662 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
5663 :let @/ = ""
5664< This is different from searching for an empty string,
5665 that would match everywhere.
5666
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005667:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
5668 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
5669 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
5670
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005671:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
5672 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005673 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
5674 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005675 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
5676 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00005677 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005678 Example: >
5679 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005680
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005681:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
5682 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
5683 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
5684
5685:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
5686:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
5687 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
5688 {expr1}.
5689
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005690:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005691:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5692:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
5693:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005694 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
5695 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
5696
5697:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005698:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5699:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
5700:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005701 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
5702 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
5703
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005704:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005705 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005706 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
5707 {name2}, etc.
5708 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005709 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005710 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
5711 command as mentioned above.
5712 Example: >
5713 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005714< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
5715 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
5716 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
5717 :let x = [0, 1]
5718 :let i = 0
5719 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
5720 :echo x
5721< The result is [0, 2].
5722
5723:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
5724:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
5725:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
5726 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005727 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005728
5729:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005730 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005731 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
5732 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
5733 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005734 Example: >
5735 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
5736<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005737:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
5738:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
5739:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
5740 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005741 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005742 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005743:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005744 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
5745 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00005746 g: global variables
5747 b: local buffer variables
5748 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00005749 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00005750 s: script-local variables
5751 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005752 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005753
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005754:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
5755 variable is indicated before the value:
5756 <nothing> String
5757 # Number
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005758 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005759
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005760
5761:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
5762 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
5763 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005764 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005765 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
5766 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005767 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005768 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
5769 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005770< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005771 :unlet dict['two']
5772 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005773
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005774:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
5775 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
5776 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
5777 A locked variable can be deleted: >
5778 :lockvar v
5779 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
5780 :unlet v
5781< *E741*
5782 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
5783 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
5784
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005785 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
5786 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
5787 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005788 cannot add or remove items, but can
5789 still change their values.
5790 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005791 the items. If an item is a |List| or
5792 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005793 items, but can still change the
5794 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005795 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
5796 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
5797 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
5798 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
5799 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005800 *E743*
5801 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
5802 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
5803 loops.
5804
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005805 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
5806 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00005807 locked when used through the other variable.
5808 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005809 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
5810 :let cl = l
5811 :lockvar l
5812 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
5813< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
5814 See |deepcopy()|.
5815
5816
5817:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
5818 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
5819 opposite of |:lockvar|.
5820
5821
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005822:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
5823:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5824 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5825
5826 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
5827 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
5828 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
5829 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
5830 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
5831 part was not executed either.
5832
5833 You can use this to remain compatible with older
5834 versions: >
5835 :if version >= 500
5836 : version-5-specific-commands
5837 :endif
5838< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
5839 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
5840 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
5841 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
5842 avoid problems: >
5843 :if version >= 600
5844 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
5845 :endif
5846<
5847 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
5848 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
5849
5850 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
5851:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5852 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
5853 executed.
5854
5855 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
5856:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
5857 is no extra ":endif".
5858
5859:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005860 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005861:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
5862 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5863 When an error is detected from a command inside the
5864 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005865 Example: >
5866 :let lnum = 1
5867 :while lnum <= line("$")
5868 :call FixLine(lnum)
5869 :let lnum = lnum + 1
5870 :endwhile
5871<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005872 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005873 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005874
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005875:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005876:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
5877 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005878 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005879 value of each item.
5880 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005881 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00005882 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
5883 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005884 :for item in copy(mylist)
5885< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
5886 next item in the list, before executing the commands
5887 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
5888 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
5889 it will not be found. Thus the following example
5890 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
5891 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005892 :call remove(mylist, 0)
5893 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005894< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
5895 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
5896 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005897 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
5898 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
5899 to allow multiple item types.
5900
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005901:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
5902:endfo[r]
5903 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
5904 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
5905 {var2}, etc. Example: >
5906 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
5907 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
5908 :endfor
5909<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005910 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005911:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
5912 to the start of the loop.
5913 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5914 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5915 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5916 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5917 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5918 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005919
5920 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005921:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
5922 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
5923 ":endfor".
5924 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5925 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5926 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5927 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5928 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5929 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005930
5931:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
5932:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
5933 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
5934 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
5935 or autocommand invocations.
5936
5937 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
5938 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
5939 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
5940 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
5941 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
5942 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
5943 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
5944 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
5945 Example: >
5946 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
5947 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
5948<
5949 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
5950 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
5951 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
5952 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
5953 processing is not terminated.
5954
5955 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
5956 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
5957 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
5958 other errors are converted to a value of the form
5959 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
5960 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
5961 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
5962 the error number.
5963 Examples: >
5964 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
5965 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
5966<
5967 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
5968:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
5969 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
5970 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
5971 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
5972 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
5973 commands are skipped.
5974 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
5975 Examples: >
5976 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
5977 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
5978 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
5979 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
5980 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
5981 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
5982 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
5983 :catch " same as /.*/
5984<
5985 Another character can be used instead of / around the
5986 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
5987 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
5988 {pattern}.
5989 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
5990 an error message because it may vary in different
5991 locales.
5992
5993 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
5994:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
5995 are executed whenever the part between the matching
5996 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
5997 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
5998 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
5999 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
6000
6001 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
6002:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
6003 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
6004 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
6005 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
6006 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
6007 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
6008 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
6009 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
6010 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
6011 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
6012 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
6013 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
6014 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
6015 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
6016 is terminated.
6017 Example: >
6018 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
6019<
6020
6021 *:ec* *:echo*
6022:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
6023 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
6024 Also see |:comment|.
6025 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
6026 cursor to the first column.
6027 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6028 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6029 Example: >
6030 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
6031< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
6032 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
6033 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
6034 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
6035 command. Example: >
6036 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
6037<
6038 *:echon*
6039:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
6040 |:comment|.
6041 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6042 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6043 Example: >
6044 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
6045<
6046 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
6047 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
6048 command: >
6049 :!echo % --> filename
6050< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
6051 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
6052< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
6053 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
6054 :echo % --> nothing
6055< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
6056 :echo "%" --> %
6057< This just echoes the '%' character. >
6058 :echo expand("%") --> filename
6059< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
6060
6061 *:echoh* *:echohl*
6062:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
6063 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
6064 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
6065 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
6066< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
6067 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
6068
6069 *:echom* *:echomsg*
6070:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
6071 message in the |message-history|.
6072 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6073 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
6074 displayed, not interpreted.
6075 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6076 Example: >
6077 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
6078<
6079 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
6080:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
6081 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
6082 script or function the line number will be added.
6083 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6084 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
6085 the message is raised as an error exception instead
6086 (see |try-echoerr|).
6087 Example: >
6088 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
6089< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
6090 And to get a beep: >
6091 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
6092<
6093 *:exe* *:execute*
6094:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
6095 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
6096 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
6097 used as the processed command, command line editing
6098 keys are not recognized.
6099 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6100 Examples: >
6101 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
6102 :execute "normal " count . "w"
6103<
6104 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
6105 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
6106 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
6107
6108< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
6109 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
6110 command: >
6111 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
6112< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
6113
6114 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006115 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
6116 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006117 :execute 'while i > 5'
6118 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
6119<
6120 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
6121 completely in the executed string: >
6122 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
6123<
6124
6125 *:comment*
6126 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
6127 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
6128 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
6129 comment. Example: >
6130 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
6131
6132==============================================================================
61338. Exception handling *exception-handling*
6134
6135The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
6136explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
6137
6138Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
6139|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
6140exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
6141
6142
6143TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
6144
6145Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
6146use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
6147a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
6148 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
6149|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
6150a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
6151be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
6152which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
6153clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
6154
6155 :try
6156 : ...
6157 : ... TRY BLOCK
6158 : ...
6159 :catch /{pattern}/
6160 : ...
6161 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6162 : ...
6163 :catch /{pattern}/
6164 : ...
6165 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6166 : ...
6167 :finally
6168 : ...
6169 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
6170 : ...
6171 :endtry
6172
6173The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
6174appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
6175from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
6176 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
6177is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
6178script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
6179 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
6180lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
6181patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
6182after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
6183executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
6184":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
6185(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
6186continues in the following line as usual.
6187 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
6188":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
6189that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
6190finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
6191the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
6192the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
6193see |try-nesting|.
6194 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
6195remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
6196not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
6197try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
6198a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
6199execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
6200exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6201 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
6202thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
6203clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
6204catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
6205following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
6206clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6207
6208The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
6209a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
6210try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
6211from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
6212sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
6213":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
6214":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
6215from the finally clause.
6216 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
6217try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
6218clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
6219":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
6220clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
6221":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
6222this pending exception or command is discarded.
6223
6224For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
6225
6226
6227NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
6228
6229Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
6230conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
6231clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
6232catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
6233of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
6234checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
6235try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
6236otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
6237nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
6238one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
6239the inner try conditional.
6240
6241When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
6242finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
6243An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
6244thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
6245implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
6246as usual.
6247
6248For examples see |throw-catch|.
6249
6250
6251EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
6252
6253Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
6254'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
6255script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
6256finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
6257a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
6258(see |debug-scripts|).
6259
6260
6261THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
6262
6263You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
6264and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
6265 :throw 4711
6266 :throw "string"
6267< *throw-expression*
6268You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
6269first, and the result is thrown: >
6270 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
6271 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
6272
6273An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
6274command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
6275The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
6276 Example: >
6277
6278 :function! Foo(arg)
6279 : try
6280 : throw a:arg
6281 : catch /foo/
6282 : endtry
6283 : return 1
6284 :endfunction
6285 :
6286 :function! Bar()
6287 : echo "in Bar"
6288 : return 4710
6289 :endfunction
6290 :
6291 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
6292
6293This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
6294executed. >
6295 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
6296however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
6297
6298Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
6299abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
6300exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
6301 Example: >
6302
6303 :if Foo("arrgh")
6304 : echo "then"
6305 :else
6306 : echo "else"
6307 :endif
6308
6309Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
6310
6311 *catch-order*
6312Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
6313commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
6314command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
6315gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
6316 Example: >
6317
6318 :function! Foo(value)
6319 : try
6320 : throw a:value
6321 : catch /^\d\+$/
6322 : echo "Number thrown"
6323 : catch /.*/
6324 : echo "String thrown"
6325 : endtry
6326 :endfunction
6327 :
6328 :call Foo(0x1267)
6329 :call Foo('string')
6330
6331The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
6332An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
6333specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
6334specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
6335
6336 : catch /.*/
6337 : echo "String thrown"
6338 : catch /^\d\+$/
6339 : echo "Number thrown"
6340
6341The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
6342never taken.
6343
6344 *throw-variables*
6345If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
6346in the variable |v:exception|: >
6347
6348 : catch /^\d\+$/
6349 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
6350
6351You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
6352|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
6353exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
6354 Example: >
6355
6356 :function! Caught()
6357 : if v:exception != ""
6358 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
6359 : else
6360 : echo 'Nothing caught'
6361 : endif
6362 :endfunction
6363 :
6364 :function! Foo()
6365 : try
6366 : try
6367 : try
6368 : throw 4711
6369 : finally
6370 : call Caught()
6371 : endtry
6372 : catch /.*/
6373 : call Caught()
6374 : throw "oops"
6375 : endtry
6376 : catch /.*/
6377 : call Caught()
6378 : finally
6379 : call Caught()
6380 : endtry
6381 :endfunction
6382 :
6383 :call Foo()
6384
6385This displays >
6386
6387 Nothing caught
6388 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
6389 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
6390 Nothing caught
6391
6392A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
6393number in the script or function where it has been used: >
6394
6395 :function! LineNumber()
6396 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
6397 :endfunction
6398 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
6399<
6400 *try-nested*
6401An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
6402a surrounding try conditional: >
6403
6404 :try
6405 : try
6406 : throw "foo"
6407 : catch /foobar/
6408 : echo "foobar"
6409 : finally
6410 : echo "inner finally"
6411 : endtry
6412 :catch /foo/
6413 : echo "foo"
6414 :endtry
6415
6416The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
6417clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
6418conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
6419
6420 *throw-from-catch*
6421You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
6422catch clause: >
6423
6424 :function! Foo()
6425 : throw "foo"
6426 :endfunction
6427 :
6428 :function! Bar()
6429 : try
6430 : call Foo()
6431 : catch /foo/
6432 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
6433 : throw "bar"
6434 : endtry
6435 :endfunction
6436 :
6437 :try
6438 : call Bar()
6439 :catch /.*/
6440 : echo "Caught" v:exception
6441 :endtry
6442
6443This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
6444
6445 *rethrow*
6446There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
6447"v:exception" instead: >
6448
6449 :function! Bar()
6450 : try
6451 : call Foo()
6452 : catch /.*/
6453 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
6454 : throw v:exception
6455 : endtry
6456 :endfunction
6457< *try-echoerr*
6458Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
6459exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
6460Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
6461denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
6462the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
6463
6464 :try
6465 : try
6466 : asdf
6467 : catch /.*/
6468 : echoerr v:exception
6469 : endtry
6470 :catch /.*/
6471 : echo v:exception
6472 :endtry
6473
6474This code displays
6475
6476 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
6477
6478
6479CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
6480
6481Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
6482user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
6483an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
6484a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
6485catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
6486a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
6487normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
6488(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
6489to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
6490clause has been executed.)
6491Example: >
6492
6493 :try
6494 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
6495 : set ts=17
6496 :
6497 : " Do the hard work here.
6498 :
6499 :finally
6500 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
6501 : unlet s:saved_ts
6502 :endtry
6503
6504This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
6505changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
6506that function or script part.
6507
6508 *break-finally*
6509Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
6510a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
6511 Example: >
6512
6513 :let first = 1
6514 :while 1
6515 : try
6516 : if first
6517 : echo "first"
6518 : let first = 0
6519 : continue
6520 : else
6521 : throw "second"
6522 : endif
6523 : catch /.*/
6524 : echo v:exception
6525 : break
6526 : finally
6527 : echo "cleanup"
6528 : endtry
6529 : echo "still in while"
6530 :endwhile
6531 :echo "end"
6532
6533This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
6534
6535 :function! Foo()
6536 : try
6537 : return 4711
6538 : finally
6539 : echo "cleanup\n"
6540 : endtry
6541 : echo "Foo still active"
6542 :endfunction
6543 :
6544 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
6545
6546This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
6547extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
6548return value.)
6549
6550 *except-from-finally*
6551Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
6552a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
6553cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
6554exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
6555 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
6556working correctly: >
6557
6558 :try
6559 : try
6560 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
6561 : while 1
6562 : endwhile
6563 : finally
6564 : unlet novar
6565 : endtry
6566 :catch /novar/
6567 :endtry
6568 :echo "Script still running"
6569 :sleep 1
6570
6571If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
6572think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
6573|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
6574
6575
6576CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
6577
6578If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
6579watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
6580presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
6581exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
6582the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
6583the error exception is.
6584 Error exceptions have the following format: >
6585
6586 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
6587or >
6588 Vim:{errmsg}
6589
6590{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
6591the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
6592when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
6593a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
6594a space.
6595
6596Examples:
6597
6598The command >
6599 :unlet novar
6600normally produces the error message >
6601 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6602which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6603 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
6604
6605The command >
6606 :dwim
6607normally produces the error message >
6608 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6609which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6610 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6611
6612You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
6613 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
6614or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
6615 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
6616
6617Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
6618 :function nofunc
6619and >
6620 :delfunction nofunc
6621both produce the error message >
6622 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6623which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6624 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6625or >
6626 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6627respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
6628command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
6629 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
6630
6631Some commands like >
6632 :let x = novar
6633produce multiple error messages, here: >
6634 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6635 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6636Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
6637one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
6638 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
6639
6640You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
6641 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
6642
6643You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
6644 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
6645
6646You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
6647 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
6648<
6649 *catch-text*
6650NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
6651 :catch /No such variable/
6652only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
6653a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
6654cite the message text in a comment: >
6655 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
6656
6657
6658IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
6659
6660You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
6661
6662 :try
6663 : write
6664 :catch
6665 :endtry
6666
6667But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
6668catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
6669be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
6670
6671 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
6672
6673There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
6674writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
6675then hide the error from the user.
6676 It is much better to use >
6677
6678 :try
6679 : write
6680 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6681 :endtry
6682
6683which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
6684intentionally.
6685
6686For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
6687even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
6688command: >
6689 :silent! nunmap k
6690This works also when a try conditional is active.
6691
6692
6693CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
6694
6695When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
6696the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
6697script is not terminated, then.
6698 Example: >
6699
6700 :function! TASK1()
6701 : sleep 10
6702 :endfunction
6703
6704 :function! TASK2()
6705 : sleep 20
6706 :endfunction
6707
6708 :while 1
6709 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
6710 : try
6711 : if command == ""
6712 : continue
6713 : elseif command == "END"
6714 : break
6715 : elseif command == "TASK1"
6716 : call TASK1()
6717 : elseif command == "TASK2"
6718 : call TASK2()
6719 : else
6720 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
6721 : continue
6722 : endif
6723 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6724 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
6725 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
6726 : endtry
6727 :endwhile
6728
6729You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
6730a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
6731
6732For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
6733your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
6734command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
6735
6736
6737CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
6738
6739The commands >
6740
6741 :catch /.*/
6742 :catch //
6743 :catch
6744
6745catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
6746explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
6747a script in order to catch unexpected things.
6748 Example: >
6749
6750 :try
6751 :
6752 : " do the hard work here
6753 :
6754 :catch /MyException/
6755 :
6756 : " handle known problem
6757 :
6758 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6759 : echo "Script interrupted"
6760 :catch /.*/
6761 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
6762 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
6763 :endtry
6764 :" end of script
6765
6766Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
6767strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
6768specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
6769 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
6770by pressing CTRL-C: >
6771
6772 :while 1
6773 : try
6774 : sleep 1
6775 : catch
6776 : endtry
6777 :endwhile
6778
6779
6780EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
6781
6782Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
6783
6784 :autocmd User x try
6785 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
6786 :autocmd User x catch
6787 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
6788 :autocmd User x endtry
6789 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
6790 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
6791 :
6792 :try
6793 : doautocmd User x
6794 :catch
6795 : echo v:exception
6796 :endtry
6797
6798This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
6799
6800 *except-autocmd-Pre*
6801For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
6802command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
6803of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
6804abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
6805 Example: >
6806
6807 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
6808 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
6809 :
6810 :try
6811 : write
6812 :catch
6813 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
6814 :endtry
6815
6816Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
6817you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
6818autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
6819script displays: >
6820
6821 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
6822<
6823 *except-autocmd-Post*
6824For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
6825command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
6826an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
6827is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
6828 Example: >
6829
6830 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
6831 :
6832 :try
6833 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6834 :catch
6835 : echo v:exception
6836 :endtry
6837
6838This just displays: >
6839
6840 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
6841
6842If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
6843fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
6844 Example: >
6845
6846 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
6847 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
6848 :
6849 :try
6850 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6851 :catch
6852 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6853 :endtry
6854<
6855You can also use ":silent!": >
6856
6857 :let x = "ok"
6858 :let v:errmsg = ""
6859 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
6860 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
6861 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
6862 :try
6863 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6864 :catch
6865 :endtry
6866 :echo x
6867
6868This displays "after fail".
6869
6870If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
6871autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
6872
6873 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
6874 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
6875 :
6876 :try
6877 : write
6878 :catch
6879 : echo v:exception
6880 :endtry
6881<
6882 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
6883For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
6884autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
6885of the command.
6886 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
6887had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
6888some way. >
6889
6890 :if !exists("cnt")
6891 : let cnt = 0
6892 :
6893 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
6894 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
6895 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
6896 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6897 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6898 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
6899 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
6900 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6901 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6902 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
6903 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6904 :endif
6905 :
6906 :try
6907 : write
6908 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
6909 : if &modified
6910 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
6911 : else
6912 : echo "Error after writing"
6913 : endif
6914 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6915 : echo "Error on writing"
6916 :endtry
6917
6918When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
6919first >
6920 File successfully written!
6921then >
6922 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
6923then >
6924 Error after writing
6925etc.
6926
6927 *except-autocmd-ill*
6928You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
6929The following code is ill-formed: >
6930
6931 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
6932 :
6933 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
6934 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
6935 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
6936 :
6937 :write
6938
6939
6940EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
6941
6942Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
6943pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
6944similar things in Vim.
6945 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
6946class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
6947string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
6948 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
6949it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
6950for an error when writing "myfile".
6951 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
6952base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
6953parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
6954 Example: >
6955
6956 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
6957 : if a:a < 0
6958 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
6959 : endif
6960 :endfunction
6961 :
6962 :function! Add(a, b)
6963 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
6964 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
6965 : let c = a:a + a:b
6966 : if c < 0
6967 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
6968 : endif
6969 : return c
6970 :endfunction
6971 :
6972 :function! Div(a, b)
6973 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
6974 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
6975 : if (a:b == 0)
6976 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
6977 : endif
6978 : return a:a / a:b
6979 :endfunction
6980 :
6981 :function! Write(file)
6982 : try
6983 : execute "write" a:file
6984 : catch /^Vim(write):/
6985 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
6986 : endtry
6987 :endfunction
6988 :
6989 :try
6990 :
6991 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
6992 :
6993 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
6994 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6995 : echo "Range error in" function
6996 :
6997 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
6998 : echo "Math error"
6999 :
7000 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
7001 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
7002 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
7003 : if file !~ '^/'
7004 : let file = dir . "/" . file
7005 : endif
7006 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
7007 :
7008 :catch /^EXCEPT/
7009 : echo "Unspecified error"
7010 :
7011 :endtry
7012
7013The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
7014a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
7015exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
7016 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
7017failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
7018
7019
7020PECULIARITIES
7021 *except-compat*
7022The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
7023exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
7024and/or a catch clause.
7025
7026In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
7027continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
7028after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
7029functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
7030or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
7031(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
7032
7033This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
7034immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
7035conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
7036be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
7037termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
7038catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
7039by specifying a finally clause.)
7040
7041When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
7042behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
7043scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
7044
7045However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
7046commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
7047conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
7048script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
7049error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
7050messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
7051|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
7052not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
7053where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
7054error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
7055scripts.
7056
7057 *except-syntax-err*
7058Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
7059the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
7060clauses, however, is executed.
7061 Example: >
7062
7063 :try
7064 : try
7065 : throw 4711
7066 : catch /\(/
7067 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
7068 : catch
7069 : echo "inner catch-all"
7070 : finally
7071 : echo "inner finally"
7072 : endtry
7073 :catch
7074 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
7075 : finally
7076 : echo "outer finally"
7077 :endtry
7078
7079This displays: >
7080 inner finally
7081 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
7082 outer finally
7083The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
7084
7085 *except-single-line*
7086The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
7087a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
7088"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
7089 Example: >
7090 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
7091raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
7092argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
7093error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
7094displayed.
7095
7096 *except-several-errors*
7097When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
7098usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
7099 Example: >
7100 echo novar
7101causes >
7102 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7103 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7104The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7105 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
7106< *except-syntax-error*
7107But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
7108the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
7109 Example: >
7110 unlet novar #
7111causes >
7112 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7113 E488: Trailing characters
7114The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7115 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
7116This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
7117not intended by the user. Example: >
7118 try
7119 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
7120 catch /.*/
7121 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
7122 endtry
7123This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
7124a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
7125
7126==============================================================================
71279. Examples *eval-examples*
7128
7129Printing in Hex ~
7130>
7131 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
7132 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
7133 : let n = a:nr
7134 : let r = ""
7135 : while n
7136 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
7137 : let n = n / 16
7138 : endwhile
7139 : return r
7140 :endfunc
7141
7142 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
7143 :" character Hex string.
7144 :func String2Hex(str)
7145 : let out = ''
7146 : let ix = 0
7147 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
7148 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
7149 : let ix = ix + 1
7150 : endwhile
7151 : return out
7152 :endfunc
7153
7154Example of its use: >
7155 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
7156result: "20" >
7157 :echo String2Hex("32")
7158result: "3332"
7159
7160
7161Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
7162
7163Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
7164":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
7165platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
7166function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
7167with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
7168>
7169 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
7170 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
7171 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
7172 : return -1
7173 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
7174 : return 1
7175 : else
7176 : return 0
7177 : endif
7178 :endfunction
7179
7180 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
7181 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
7182 : if (a:start >= a:end)
7183 : return
7184 : endif
7185 : let partition = a:start - 1
7186 : let middle = partition
7187 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
7188 : let i = a:start
7189 : while (i <= a:end)
7190 : let str = getline(i)
7191 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
7192 : if (result <= 0)
7193 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
7194 : let partition = partition + 1
7195 : if (result == 0)
7196 : let middle = partition
7197 : endif
7198 : if (i != partition)
7199 : let str2 = getline(partition)
7200 : call setline(i, str2)
7201 : call setline(partition, str)
7202 : endif
7203 : endif
7204 : let i = i + 1
7205 : endwhile
7206
7207 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
7208 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
7209 : " the end of the partition.
7210 : if (middle != partition)
7211 : let str = getline(middle)
7212 : let str2 = getline(partition)
7213 : call setline(middle, str2)
7214 : call setline(partition, str)
7215 : endif
7216 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
7217 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
7218 :endfunc
7219
7220 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
7221 :" function that will compare two lines.
7222 :func! Sort(cmp) range
7223 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
7224 :endfunc
7225
7226 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
7227 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
7228<
7229 *sscanf*
7230There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
7231line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
7232how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
7233"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
7234 :" Set up the match bit
7235 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
7236 :"get the part matching the whole expression
7237 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
7238 :"get each item out of the match
7239 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
7240 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
7241 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
7242
7243The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
7244"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
7245
7246==============================================================================
724710. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
7248
7249When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
7250evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
7251to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
7252recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
7253and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
7254only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
7255recognized.
7256
7257Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
7258missing: >
7259
7260 :if 1
7261 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
7262 :else
7263 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
7264 :endif
7265
7266==============================================================================
726711. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
7268
7269The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
7270options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
7271these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
7272these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00007273a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007274The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007275
7276These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
7277 - changing the buffer text
7278 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
7279 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
7280 - executing a shell command
7281 - reading or writing a file
7282 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00007283 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007284This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
7285
7286 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00007287:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007288 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
7289 'foldexpr'.
7290
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007291 *sandbox-option*
7292A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00007293have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007294restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
7295location. Insecure in this context are:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00007296- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directory
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007297- while executing in the sandbox
7298- value coming from a modeline
7299
7300Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
7301option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
7302
7303==============================================================================
730412. Textlock *textlock*
7305
7306In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
7307to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
7308is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
7309actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
7310happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
7311
7312This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
7313 - changing the buffer text
7314 - jumping to another buffer or window
7315 - editing another file
7316 - closing a window or quitting Vim
7317 - etc.
7318
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007319
7320 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: