blob: 6c99c90fadc2db1f1c4c5159eeb48cc6480148e3 [file] [log] [blame]
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2005 Jun 14
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000031
32{Vi does not have any of these commands}
33
34==============================================================================
351. Variables *variables*
36
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000371.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000038 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000039There are four types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000040
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000041Number A 32 bit signed number.
42 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
43
44String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
45 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
46
47Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
48 Example: function("strlen")
49
50List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
51 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000052
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000053The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
54are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000055
56Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
57the Number. Examples: >
58 Number 123 --> String "123"
59 Number 0 --> String "0"
60 Number -1 --> String "-1"
61
62Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
63to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
64the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
65 String "456" --> Number 456
66 String "6bar" --> Number 6
67 String "foo" --> Number 0
68 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
69 String "0100" --> Number 64
70 String "-8" --> Number -8
71 String "+8" --> Number 0
72
73To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
74 :echo "0100" + 0
75
76For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
77
78Note that in the command >
79 :if "foo"
80"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
81use strlen(): >
82 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000083< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
84List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000085
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000086 *E706*
87You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
88to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000089equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000090 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000091 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000092 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000093
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000094
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000951.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000096 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000097A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000098in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
99around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000100
101 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
102 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000103< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000104A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:" or "b:". You cannot
105have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000106
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000107A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
108Dictionary entry. Example: >
109 :function dict.init() dict
110 : let self.val = 0
111 :endfunction
112
113The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
114function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
115
116A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
117 :call Fn()
118 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000119
120The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000121 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000122
123You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
124arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000125 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000126
127
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001281.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000129 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000130A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
131can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
132position in the sequence.
133
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000134
135List creation ~
136 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000137A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000138Examples: >
139 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
140 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000141
142An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143nested List: >
144 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000145
146An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
147
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000148
149List index ~
150 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000151An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000152after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
153 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000154 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000155
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000156When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000157 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000158<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000159A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
160the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000161 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
162
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000163To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000164is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000165 :echo get(mylist, idx)
166 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
167
168
169List concatenation ~
170
171Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
172 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000173 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000174
175To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
176it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
177
178
179Sublist ~
180
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000181A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
182separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000183 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000184
185Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
186similar to -1. The difference is that there is no error if the items are not
187available. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000188 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
189 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
190 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000191
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000192The second index can be just before the first index. In that case the result
193is an empty list. If the second index is lower, this results in an error. >
194 :echo mylist[2:1] " result: []
195 :echo mylist[2:0] " error!
196
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000197NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
198using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
199mylist[s : e].
200
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000201
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000202List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000203 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000204When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
205variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
206change "bb": >
207 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
208 :let bb = aa
209 :call add(aa, 4)
210 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000211< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212
213Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
214works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000215a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000216 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
217 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000218 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000219 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
220 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000221< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000222 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000223< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000224
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000225To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000226copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000227
228The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000229List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000230the same value. >
231 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
232 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
233 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000234< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000235 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000236< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000237
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000238Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
239same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
240exception: When comparing a number with a string and the string contains extra
241characters beside the number they are not equal. Example: >
242 echo 4 == "4x"
243< 1 >
244 echo [4] == ["4x"]
245< 0
246
247This is to fix the odd behavior of == that can't be changed for backward
248compatibility reasons.
249
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000250
251List unpack ~
252
253To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
254square brackets, like list items: >
255 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
256
257When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
258this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
259and a variable name: >
260 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
261
262This works like: >
263 :let var1 = mylist[0]
264 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000265 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000266
267Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
268empty list then.
269
270
271List modification ~
272 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000273To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000274 :let list[4] = "four"
275 :let listlist[0][3] = item
276
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000277To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000278modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000279 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
280
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000281Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
282examples: >
283 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
284 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
285 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000286 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000287 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
288 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000289 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000290 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000291 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000292 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000293
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000294Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000295 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
296 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
297
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000298
299For loop ~
300
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000301The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
302to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000303 :for item in mylist
304 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000305 :endfor
306
307This works like: >
308 :let index = 0
309 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000310 : let item = mylist[index]
311 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000312 : let index = index + 1
313 :endwhile
314
315Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000316results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000317the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000318
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000319If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000320function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000321
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000322Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
323requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
324 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
325 : call Doit(lnum, col)
326 :endfor
327
328This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
329must remain the same to avoid an error.
330
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000331It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000332 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
333 : call Doit(i, j)
334 : if !empty(rest)
335 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
336 : endif
337 :endfor
338
339
340List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000341 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000342Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000343 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000344 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000345 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
346 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
347 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000348 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
349 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000350 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
351 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000352 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
353 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000354 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
355 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000356
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000357Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
358example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
359 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
360
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000361
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003621.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000363 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000364A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000365entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
366ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000367
368
369Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000370 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000371A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000372braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
373only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000374 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
375 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000376< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000377A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
378String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000379entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
380Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000381
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000382A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000383nested Dictionary: >
384 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
385
386An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
387
388
389Accessing entries ~
390
391The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
392 :let val = mydict["one"]
393 :let mydict["four"] = 4
394
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000395You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000396
397For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
398form can be used |expr-entry|: >
399 :let val = mydict.one
400 :let mydict.four = 4
401
402Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
403key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000404 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000405
406
407Dictionary to List conversion ~
408
409You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
410turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
411
412Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
413 :for key in keys(mydict)
414 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
415 :endfor
416
417The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
418 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
419
420To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
421 :for v in values(mydict)
422 : echo "value: " . v
423 :endfor
424
425If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000426a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000427 :for entry in items(mydict)
428 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
429 :endfor
430
431
432Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000433 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000434Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
435Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
436Dictionary: >
437 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
438 :let adict = onedict
439 :let adict['a'] = 11
440 :echo onedict['a']
441 11
442
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000443Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
444more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000445
446
447Dictionary modification ~
448 *dict-modification*
449To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
450use |:let| this way: >
451 :let dict[4] = "four"
452 :let dict['one'] = item
453
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000454Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
455Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
456 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
457 :unlet dict.aaa
458 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000459
460Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000461 :call extend(adict, bdict)
462This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
463in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000464Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
465expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
466adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000467
468Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +0000469 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000470This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000471
472
473Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000474 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000475When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
476special way with a dictionary. Example: >
477 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000478 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000479 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000480 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
481 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000482
483This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
484Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
485the function was invoked from.
486
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000487It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
488Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
489
490 *numbered-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000491To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
492assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000493 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
494 :function mydict.len() dict
495 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000496 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000497 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000498
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000499The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
500that references this function. The function can only be used through a
501|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
502remaining that refers to it.
503
504It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000505
506
507Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000508 *E715*
509Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000510 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
511 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
512 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
513 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
514 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
515 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
516 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
517 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000518
519
5201.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000521 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000522If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
523function.
524
525When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
526start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
527stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
528
529When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
530start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
531stored in the session file |session-file|.
532
533variable name can be stored where ~
534my_var_6 not
535My_Var_6 session file
536MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
537
538
539It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
540|curly-braces-names|.
541
542==============================================================================
5432. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
544
545Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
546
547|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
548
549|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
550
551|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
552
553|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
554 expr5 != expr5 not equal
555 expr5 > expr5 greater than
556 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
557 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
558 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
559 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
560 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
561
562 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
563 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
564 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
565 matching case
566
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000567 expr5 is expr5 same List instance
568 expr5 isnot expr5 different List instance
569
570|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000571 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
572 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
573
574|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
575 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
576 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
577
578|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
579 - expr7 unary minus
580 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000581
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000582
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000583|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a List
584 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a List
585 expr8.name entry in a Dictionary
586 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with Funcref variable
587
588|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000589 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000590 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000591 [expr1, ...] List
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000592 {expr1: expr1, ...} Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000593 &option option value
594 (expr1) nested expression
595 variable internal variable
596 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
597 $VAR environment variable
598 @r contents of register 'r'
599 function(expr1, ...) function call
600 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
601
602
603".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
604Example: >
605 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
606
607All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
608
609
610expr1 *expr1* *E109*
611-----
612
613expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
614
615The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
616non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
617otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
618Example: >
619 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
620
621Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
622other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
623Example: >
624 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
625
626To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
627 :echo lnum == 1
628 :\ ? "top"
629 :\ : lnum == 1000
630 :\ ? "last"
631 :\ : lnum
632
633
634expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
635---------------
636
637 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
638The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
639are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
640
641 input output ~
642n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
643zero zero zero zero
644zero non-zero non-zero zero
645non-zero zero non-zero zero
646non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
647
648The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
649
650 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
651
652Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
653
654 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
655
656Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
657arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
658
659 let a = 1
660 echo a || b
661
662This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
663so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
664
665 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
666
667This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
668only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
669
670
671expr4 *expr4*
672-----
673
674expr5 {cmp} expr5
675
676Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
677if it evaluates to true.
678
679 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
680 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
681 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
682 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
683 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
684 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000685 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000686 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
687equal == ==# ==?
688not equal != !=# !=?
689greater than > ># >?
690greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
691smaller than < <# <?
692smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
693regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
694regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000695same instance is
696different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000697
698Examples:
699"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
700"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
701"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
702
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000703 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000704A List can only be compared with a List and only "equal", "not equal" and "is"
705can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively. Ignoring
706case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
707
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000708 *E735* *E736*
709A Dictionary can only be compared with a Dictionary and only "equal", "not
710equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the Dictionary,
711recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
712
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000713 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000714A Funcref can only be compared with a Funcref and only "equal" and "not equal"
715can be used. Case is never ignored.
716
717When using "is" or "isnot" with a List this checks if the expressions are
718referring to the same List instance. A copy of a List is different from the
719original List. When using "is" without a List it is equivalent to using
720"equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
721different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
722is false.
723
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000724When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
725and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
726because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
727
728When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
729results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
730necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
731
732When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
733'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
734
735When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
736'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
737
738The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
739argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
740This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
741matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
742portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
743single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
744Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
745(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
746can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
747 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
748 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
749
750
751expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
752---------------
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000753expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or List concatenation *expr-+*
754expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
755expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000756
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000757For Lists only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The result
758is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
759
760expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
761expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
762expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000763
764For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
765
766Note the difference between "+" and ".":
767 "123" + "456" = 579
768 "123" . "456" = "123456"
769
770When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
771When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
772
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000773None of these work for Funcrefs.
774
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000775
776expr7 *expr7*
777-----
778! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
779- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
780+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
781
782For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
783For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
784For '+' the number is unchanged.
785
786A String will be converted to a Number first.
787
788These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
789 !-1 == 0
790 !!8 == 1
791 --9 == 9
792
793
794expr8 *expr8*
795-----
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000796expr8[expr1] item of String or List *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000797
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000798If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
799expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000800Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000801
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000802Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
803text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
804cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000805 :let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1]
806
807If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000808String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
809compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
810
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000811If expr8 is a List then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000812for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
813error. Example: >
814 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
815
816Generally, if a List index is equal to or higher than the length of the List,
817or more negative than the length of the List, this results in an error.
818
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000819
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000820expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000821
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000822If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
823from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000824expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
825encodings.
826
827If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
828string minus one is used.
829
830A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
831the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
832
833If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
834expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
835
836Examples: >
837 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
838 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
839 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
840 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
841
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000842If expr8 is a List this results in a new List with the items indicated by the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000843indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained just
844above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
845 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
846 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
847 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
848
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000849Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a Funcref results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000850
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000851
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000852expr8.name entry in a Dictionary *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000853
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000854If expr8 is a Dictionary and it is followed by a dot, then the following name
855will be used as a key in the Dictionary. This is just like: expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000856
857The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
858but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
859
860There must not be white space before or after the dot.
861
862Examples: >
863 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
864 :echo dict.one
865 :echo dict .2
866
867Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
868always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
869
870
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000871expr8(expr1, ...) Funcref function call
872
873When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
874
875
876
877 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000878number
879------
880number number constant *expr-number*
881
882Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
883
884
885string *expr-string* *E114*
886------
887"string" string constant *expr-quote*
888
889Note that double quotes are used.
890
891A string constant accepts these special characters:
892\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
893\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
894\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
895\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
896\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
897\X.. same as \x..
898\X. same as \x.
899\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
900 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
901\U.... same as \u....
902\b backspace <BS>
903\e escape <Esc>
904\f formfeed <FF>
905\n newline <NL>
906\r return <CR>
907\t tab <Tab>
908\\ backslash
909\" double quote
910\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
911
912Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
913
914
915literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
916---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000917'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000918
919Note that single quotes are used.
920
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000921This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000922meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000923
924Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
925to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
926 if a =~ "\\s*"
927 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000928
929
930option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
931------
932&option option value, local value if possible
933&g:option global option value
934&l:option local option value
935
936Examples: >
937 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
938 if &insertmode
939
940Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
941and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
942anyway.
943
944
945register *expr-register*
946--------
947@r contents of register 'r'
948
949The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
950Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
951register use @" or @@. The '=' register can not be used here. See
952|registers| for an explanation of the available registers.
953
954
955nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
956-------
957(expr1) nested expression
958
959
960environment variable *expr-env*
961--------------------
962$VAR environment variable
963
964The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
965result is an empty string.
966 *expr-env-expand*
967Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
968expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
969are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
970the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
971fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
972does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
973 :echo $version
974 :echo expand("$version")
975The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
976variable (if your shell supports it).
977
978
979internal variable *expr-variable*
980-----------------
981variable internal variable
982See below |internal-variables|.
983
984
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000985function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000986-------------
987function(expr1, ...) function call
988See below |functions|.
989
990
991==============================================================================
9923. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
993 *E461*
994An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
995cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
996|curly-braces-names|.
997
998An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000999An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1000|:unlet|.
1001Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1002been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001003
1004There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1005specified by what is prepended:
1006
1007 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1008|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1009|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
1010|global-variable| g: Global.
1011|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1012|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1013|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1014|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1015
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001016The scope name by itself can be used as a Dictionary. For example, to delete
1017all script-local variables: >
1018 :for k in keys(s:)
1019 : unlet s:[k]
1020 :endfor
1021<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001022 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1023A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1024Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1025This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1026|:bdelete|.
1027
1028One local buffer variable is predefined:
1029 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1030b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1031 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1032 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1033 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1034 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1035 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1036 : call My_Update()
1037 :endif
1038<
1039 *window-variable* *w:var*
1040A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1041is deleted when the window is closed.
1042
1043 *global-variable* *g:var*
1044Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1045access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1046place if you like.
1047
1048 *local-variable* *l:var*
1049Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1050But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1051
1052 *script-variable* *s:var*
1053In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1054accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1055
1056They can be used in:
1057- commands executed while the script is sourced
1058- functions defined in the script
1059- autocommands defined in the script
1060- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1061 defined in the script (recursively)
1062- user defined commands defined in the script
1063Thus not in:
1064- other scripts sourced from this one
1065- mappings
1066- etc.
1067
1068script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1069Take this example:
1070
1071 let s:counter = 0
1072 function MyCounter()
1073 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1074 echo s:counter
1075 endfunction
1076 command Tick call MyCounter()
1077
1078You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1079that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1080"Tick" was defined is used.
1081
1082Another example that does the same: >
1083
1084 let s:counter = 0
1085 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1086
1087When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001088script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001089defined.
1090
1091The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1092function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1093
1094 let s:counter = 0
1095 function StartCounting(incr)
1096 if a:incr
1097 function MyCounter()
1098 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1099 endfunction
1100 else
1101 function MyCounter()
1102 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1103 endfunction
1104 endif
1105 endfunction
1106
1107This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1108when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1109called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1110
1111When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1112They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1113maintain a counter: >
1114
1115 if !exists("s:counter")
1116 let s:counter = 1
1117 echo "script executed for the first time"
1118 else
1119 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1120 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1121 endif
1122
1123Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1124variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1125
1126
1127Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1128
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001129 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1130v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1131 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1132 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1133
1134 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1135v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1136 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1137
1138 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1139v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1140 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1141
1142 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
1143v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as it is
1144 useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies, but a
1145 dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a ']'
1146 the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
1147 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1148 highlighted text is used.
1149 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1150
1151 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1152v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1153 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1154
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001155 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1156v:charconvert_from
1157 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1158 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1159
1160 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1161v:charconvert_to
1162 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1163 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1164
1165 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1166v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1167 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1168 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1169 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1170 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1171 possible to append this variable directly after the
1172 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1173 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1174 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1175 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1176 in 'printexpr'.
1177
1178 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1179v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1180 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1181 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1182 can be used.
1183
1184 *v:count* *count-variable*
1185v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1186 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1187 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1188< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1189 get when typing ':' after a count.
1190 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1191
1192 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1193v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1194 used.
1195
1196 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1197v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1198 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1199 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1200 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1201 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1202 command.
1203 See |multi-lang|.
1204
1205 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1206v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1207 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1208 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1209 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1210 Example: >
1211 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1212<
1213 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1214v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1215 Example: >
1216 :let v:errmsg = ""
1217 :silent! next
1218 :if v:errmsg != ""
1219 : ... handle error
1220< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1221
1222 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1223v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1224 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1225 Example: >
1226 :try
1227 : throw "oops"
1228 :catch /.*/
1229 : echo "caught" v:exception
1230 :endtry
1231< Output: "caught oops".
1232
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001233 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1234v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1235 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1236 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1237 deleted file no longer exists
1238 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1239 changed and buffer is modified
1240 changed file contents has changed
1241 mode mode of file changed
1242 time only file timestamp changed
1243
1244 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1245v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1246 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1247 do with the affected buffer:
1248 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1249 the file was deleted).
1250 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1251 was no autocommand. Except that when
1252 only the timestamp changed nothing
1253 will happen.
1254 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1255 everything that needs to be done.
1256 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1257 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1258
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001259 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
1260v:fname_in The name of the input file. Only valid while evaluating:
1261 option used for ~
1262 'charconvert' file to be converted
1263 'diffexpr' original file
1264 'patchexpr' original file
1265 'printexpr' file to be printed
1266
1267 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1268v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1269 evaluating:
1270 option used for ~
1271 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1272 'diffexpr' output of diff
1273 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1274 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1275 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1276 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1277 file and different from v:fname_in.
1278
1279 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1280v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1281 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1282
1283 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1284v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1285 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1286
1287 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1288v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1289 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001290 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001291
1292 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1293v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001294 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001295
1296 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1297v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001298 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001299
1300 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1301v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001302 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001303
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001304 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1305v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1306 events. Values:
1307 i Insert mode
1308 r Replace mode
1309 v Virtual Replace mode
1310
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001311 *v:key* *key-variable*
1312v:key Key of the current item of a Dictionary. Only valid while
1313 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1314 Read-only.
1315
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001316 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1317v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1318 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1319 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1320 The value is system dependent.
1321 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1322 command.
1323 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1324 in a different language than what is used for character
1325 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1326
1327 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1328v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1329 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1330 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1331 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1332 command. See |multi-lang|.
1333
1334 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001335v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
1336 expressions. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1337 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001338
1339 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1340v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1341 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1342 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1343 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1344< Read-only.
1345
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001346 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1347v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1348 See |profiling|.
1349
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001350 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1351v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1352 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1353 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1354 Read-only.
1355
1356 *v:register* *register-variable*
1357v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1358 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1359
1360 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1361v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1362 Read-only.
1363
1364 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1365v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1366 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1367 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1368 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1369 executed. Read-only.
1370 Example: >
1371 :!mv foo bar
1372 :if v:shell_error
1373 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1374 :endif
1375< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1376
1377 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1378v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1379
1380 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1381v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1382 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1383 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1384 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1385 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1386 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1387 terminal.
1388 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1389 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1390 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1391 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1392 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1393
1394 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1395v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1396 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1397 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1398 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1399
1400 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1401v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1402 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1403 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1404 Example: >
1405 :try
1406 : throw "oops"
1407 :catch /.*/
1408 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1409 :endtry
1410< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1411
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001412 *v:val* *val-variable*
1413v:val Value of the current item of a List or Dictionary. Only valid
1414 while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
1415 |filter()|. Read-only.
1416
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001417 *v:version* *version-variable*
1418v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1419 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1420 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1421 compatibility.
1422 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1423 if has("patch123")
1424< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1425 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1426 completely different.
1427
1428 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1429v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1430
1431==============================================================================
14324. Builtin Functions *functions*
1433
1434See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1435
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001436(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001437
1438USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1439
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001440add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to List {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001441append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001442append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001443argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001444argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001445argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
1446browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1447 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001448browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001449bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001450buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1451bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001452bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1453bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1454bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1455byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001456byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001457call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1458 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001459char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001460cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001461col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
1462confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1463 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001464copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001465count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1466 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001467cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1468 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001469cursor( {lnum}, {col}) Number position cursor at {lnum}, {col}
1470deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001471delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1472did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001473diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1474diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001475empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001476escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001477eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001478eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001479executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1480exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
1481expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
1482filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001483filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1484 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001485finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
1486 String Find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001487findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001488 String Find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001489filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
1490fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001491foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1492foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001493foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001494foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001495foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001496function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001497get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001498get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001499getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1500getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001501getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
1502getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1503getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
1504getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001505getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1506getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001507getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001508getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001509getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001510getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1511getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001512getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001513getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001514getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001515getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1516getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1517getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in window {nr}
1518glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1519globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1520has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001521has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001522hasmapto( {what} [, {mode}]) Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
1523histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1524histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1525histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1526histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1527hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1528hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1529hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001530iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1531indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001532index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1533 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001534input( {prompt} [, {text}]) String get input from the user
1535inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001536inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1537inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001538inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001539insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001540isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001541islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001542items( {dict}) List List of key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001543join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001544keys( {dict}) List List of keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001545len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1546libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001547libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1548line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1549line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001550lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001551localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001552map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001553maparg( {name}[, {mode}]) String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1554mapcheck( {name}[, {mode}]) String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001555match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001556 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001557matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001558 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001559matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1560 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001561matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1562 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001563max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1564min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001565mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1566 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001567mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001568nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1569nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
1570prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001571range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1572 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001573readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1574 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001575remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1576 String send expression
1577remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1578remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1579 Number check for reply string
1580remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1581remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1582 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001583remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001584remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001585rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1586repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1587resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001588reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001589search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001590searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001591 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001592server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1593 Number send reply string
1594serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1595setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1596setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1597setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00001598setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number set list of quickfix items using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001599setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001600setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001601simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001602sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001603split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
1604 List make List from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001605strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001606stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1607 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001608string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001609strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1610strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1611 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001612strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1613 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001614strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001615submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001616substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1617 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001618synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001619synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1620 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1621synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001622system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001623taglist({expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001624tempname() String name for a temporary file
1625tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1626toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001627tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1628 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001629type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001630values( {dict}) List List of values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001631virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1632visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1633winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1634wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1635winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1636winline() Number window line of the cursor
1637winnr() Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001638winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001639winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001640writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1641 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001642
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001643add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
1644 Append the item {expr} to List {list}. Returns the resulting
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001645 List. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001646 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1647 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
1648< Note that when {expr} is a List it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001649 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001650 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001651
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001652
1653append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001654 When {expr} is a List: Append each item of the List as a text
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001655 line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001656 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1657 the current buffer.
1658 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001659 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1660 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001661 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001662 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001663<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001664 *argc()*
1665argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1666 current window. See |arglist|.
1667
1668 *argidx()*
1669argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1670 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1671
1672 *argv()*
1673argv({nr}) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
1674 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1675 Example: >
1676 :let i = 0
1677 :while i < argc()
1678 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1679 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1680 : let i = i + 1
1681 :endwhile
1682<
1683 *browse()*
1684browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1685 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1686 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1687 The input fields are:
1688 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1689 {title} title for the requester
1690 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1691 {default} default file name
1692 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1693 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1694
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001695 *browsedir()*
1696browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1697 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1698 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1699 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1700 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1701 to be used.
1702 The input fields are:
1703 {title} title for the requester
1704 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1705 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1706 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1707
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001708bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1709 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1710 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001711 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001712 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001713 exactly. The name can be:
1714 - Relative to the current directory.
1715 - A full path.
1716 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1717 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001718 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1719 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1720 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1721 long name to be able to find them.
1722 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1723 file name.
1724 *buffer_exists()*
1725 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1726
1727buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1728 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1729 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001730 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001731
1732bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1733 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1734 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001735 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001736
1737bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1738 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1739 ":ls" command.
1740 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1741 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1742 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1743 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1744 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1745 match an empty string is returned.
1746 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1747 alternate buffer.
1748 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1749 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1750 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1751 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1752 buffers are searched for.
1753 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1754 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1755 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1756< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1757 string is returned. >
1758 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1759 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1760 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1761 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1762< *buffer_name()*
1763 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1764
1765 *bufnr()*
1766bufnr({expr}) The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
1767 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
1768 above. If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
1769 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1770 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1771< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1772 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1773 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1774 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1775 *buffer_number()*
1776 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1777 *last_buffer_nr()*
1778 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1779
1780bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1781 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1782 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1783 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1784 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1785
1786 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1787
1788< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1789 |:wincmd|.
1790
1791
1792byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1793 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1794 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1795 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1796 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1797 one.
1798 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1799 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1800 feature}
1801
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001802byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1803 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1804 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1805 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1806 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1807 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1808 Example : >
1809 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1810< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1811 same: >
1812 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1813 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1814< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1815 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1816 is returned.
1817
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001818call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001819 Call function {func} with the items in List {arglist} as
1820 arguments.
1821 {func} can either be a Funcref or the name of a function.
1822 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1823 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001824 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1825 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001826
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001827char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1828 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1829 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1830 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1831< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
1832 char2nr("á") returns 225
1833 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001834< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001835
1836cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1837 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1838 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1839 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1840 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1841 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1842 feature, -1 is returned.
1843
1844 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001845col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001846 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1847 . the cursor position
1848 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1849 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1850 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1851 returned)
1852 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1853 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1854 Examples: >
1855 col(".") column of cursor
1856 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1857 col("'t") column of mark t
1858 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1859< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
1860 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1861 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1862 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
1863 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
1864 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
1865 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
1866 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
1867<
1868 *confirm()*
1869confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1870 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
1871 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
1872 choice this is 1.
1873 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
1874 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
1875 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
1876 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
1877 used (and translated).
1878 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
1879 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
1880 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
1881 by '\n', e.g. >
1882 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
1883< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
1884 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
1885 not need to be the first letter: >
1886 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
1887< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
1888 the default shortcut key.
1889 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
1890 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
1891 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
1892 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
1893 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
1894 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
1895 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
1896 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
1897 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
1898 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
1899 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
1900
1901 An example: >
1902 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
1903 :if choice == 0
1904 : echo "make up your mind!"
1905 :elseif choice == 3
1906 : echo "tasteful"
1907 :else
1908 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
1909 :endif
1910< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
1911 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
1912 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
1913 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
1914 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
1915 the horizontal layout is always used.
1916
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001917 *copy()*
1918copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
1919 different from using {expr} directly.
1920 When {expr} is a List a shallow copy is created. This means
1921 that the original List can be changed without changing the
1922 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
1923 changing an item changes the contents of both Lists. Also see
1924 |deepcopy()|.
1925
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001926count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001927 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001928 in List or Dictionary {comp}.
1929 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
1930 {start} can only be used with a List.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001931 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
1932
1933
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001934 *cscope_connection()*
1935cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1936 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
1937 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
1938 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
1939 if there are no cscope connections;
1940 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
1941
1942 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
1943 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
1944
1945 {num} Description of existence check
1946 ----- ------------------------------
1947 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
1948 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
1949 {dbpath}.
1950 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
1951 {dbpath}.
1952 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
1953 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1954 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
1955 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1956
1957 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
1958
1959 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
1960
1961 # pid database name prepend path
1962 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
1963<
1964 Invocation Return Val ~
1965 ---------- ---------- >
1966 cscope_connection() 1
1967 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
1968 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
1969 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
1970 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
1971 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
1972 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
1973 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
1974<
1975cursor({lnum}, {col}) *cursor()*
1976 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
1977 Does not change the jumplist.
1978 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
1979 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
1980 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
1981 If {col} is greater than the number of characters in the line,
1982 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
1983 line.
1984 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
1985
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001986
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001987deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001988 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
1989 different from using {expr} directly.
1990 When {expr} is a List a full copy is created. This means
1991 that the original List can be changed without changing the
1992 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a List, a copy for it
1993 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
1994 not change the contents of the original List.
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001995 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained List or Dictionary
1996 is only copied once. All references point to this single
1997 copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a List or
1998 Dictionary results in a new copy. This also means that a
1999 cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002000 *E724*
2001 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002002 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2003 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002004 Also see |copy()|.
2005
2006delete({fname}) *delete()*
2007 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002008 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2009 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002010 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002011
2012 *did_filetype()*
2013did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2014 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2015 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2016 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2017 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2018 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2019 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2020 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2021 file.
2022
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002023diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2024 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2025 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2026 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2027 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2028 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2029 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2030 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2031
2032diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2033 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2034 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2035 diff change zero is returned.
2036 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2037 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2038 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2039 line.
2040 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2041 syntax information about the highlighting.
2042
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002043empty({expr}) *empty()*
2044 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002045 A List or Dictionary is empty when it does not have any items.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002046 A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2047 For a long List this is much faster then comparing the length
2048 with zero.
2049
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002050escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2051 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2052 backslash. Example: >
2053 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2054< results in: >
2055 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002056
2057< *eval()*
2058eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2059 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2060 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
2061 Also works for Funcrefs that refer to existing functions.
2062
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002063eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2064 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2065 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2066 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2067 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2068
2069executable({expr}) *executable()*
2070 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2071 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002072 arguments.
2073 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2074 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2075 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2076 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2077 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2078 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2079 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2080 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2081 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2082 extension.
2083 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2084 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002085 The result is a Number:
2086 1 exists
2087 0 does not exist
2088 -1 not implemented on this system
2089
2090 *exists()*
2091exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2092 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2093 which contains one of these:
2094 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2095 not if it really works)
2096 +option-name Vim option that works.
2097 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2098 done by comparing with an empty
2099 string)
2100 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2101 or user defined function (see
2102 |user-functions|).
2103 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002104 |internal-variables|). Also works
2105 for |curly-braces-names|, Dictionary
2106 entries, List items, etc. Beware that
2107 this may cause functions to be
2108 invoked cause an error message for an
2109 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002110 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2111 command or command modifier |:command|.
2112 Returns:
2113 1 for match with start of a command
2114 2 full match with a command
2115 3 matches several user commands
2116 To check for a supported command
2117 always check the return value to be 2.
2118 #event autocommand defined for this event
2119 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2120 pattern (the pattern is taken
2121 literally and compared to the
2122 autocommand patterns character by
2123 character)
2124 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2125
2126 Examples: >
2127 exists("&shortname")
2128 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2129 exists("*strftime")
2130 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2131 exists("bufcount")
2132 exists(":Make")
2133 exists("#CursorHold");
2134 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
2135< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2136 name.
2137 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2138 variable itself! For example: >
2139 exists(bufcount)
2140< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
2141 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
2142 exists.
2143
2144expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2145 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2146 The result is a String.
2147
2148 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2149 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2150 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2151
2152 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2153 for a non-existing file is not included.
2154
2155 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2156 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2157 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2158
2159 % current file name
2160 # alternate file name
2161 #n alternate file name n
2162 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2163 <afile> autocmd file name
2164 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2165 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2166 <sfile> sourced script file name
2167 <cword> word under the cursor
2168 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2169 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2170 message |server2client()|
2171 Modifiers:
2172 :p expand to full path
2173 :h head (last path component removed)
2174 :t tail (last path component only)
2175 :r root (one extension removed)
2176 :e extension only
2177
2178 Example: >
2179 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2180< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2181 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2182 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2183< Use this: >
2184 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2185< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2186 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2187 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2188 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2189 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2190<
2191 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2192 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2193 to modify normal file names.
2194
2195 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2196 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2197 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2198 '/' added.
2199
2200 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2201 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2202 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2203 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
2204 non-existing files are included.
2205
2206 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2207 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2208 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2209 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2210 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2211 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2212 "$FOOBAR".
2213
2214 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2215 getting the raw output of an external command.
2216
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002217extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
2218 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both Lists or both Dictionaries.
2219
2220 If they are Lists: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
2221 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2222 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2223 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2224 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002225 Examples: >
2226 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2227 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002228< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2229 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002230 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002231<
2232 If they are Dictionaries:
2233 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2234 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2235 used to decide what to do:
2236 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2237 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00002238 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002239 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2240
2241 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2242 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2243 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2244 Returns {expr1}.
2245
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002246
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002247filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2248 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2249 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2250 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2251 expression, which is used as a String.
2252 *file_readable()*
2253 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2254
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002255
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002256filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
2257 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
2258 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
2259 is zero remove the item from the List or Dictionary.
2260 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
2261 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
2262 Examples: >
2263 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2264< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2265 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2266< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2267 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002268< Removes all the items, thus clears the List or Dictionary.
2269
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002270 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2271 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2272 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2273
2274 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
2275 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002276 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), '& =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002277
2278< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002279
2280
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002281finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
2282 Find directory {name} in {path}.
2283 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2284 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
2285 {name} in {path}.
2286 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
2287 When the found directory is below the current directory a
2288 relative path is returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
2289 Example: >
2290 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2291< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2292 the file "tags.vim".
2293 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2294
2295findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2296 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
2297
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002298filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2299 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2300 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2301 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2302 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2303
2304fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2305 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2306 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2307 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2308 Example: >
2309 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2310< results in: >
2311 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2312< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2313 |expand()| first then.
2314
2315foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2316 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2317 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2318 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2319
2320foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2321 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2322 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2323 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2324
2325foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2326 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2327 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2328 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2329 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2330 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2331 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2332 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2333 previous line is usually available.
2334
2335 *foldtext()*
2336foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2337 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2338 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2339 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2340 The returned string looks like this: >
2341 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2342< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2343 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2344 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2345 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2346 options is removed.
2347 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2348
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002349foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2350 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2351 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2352 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2353 returned.
2354 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2355 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2356 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2357 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2358
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002359 *foreground()*
2360foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2361 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2362 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2363 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2364 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2365 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2366 Win32 console version}
2367
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002368
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002369function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002370 Return a Funcref variable that refers to function {name}.
2371 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2372
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002373
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002374get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002375 Get item {idx} from List {list}. When this item is not
2376 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2377 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002378get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
2379 Get item with key {key} from Dictionary {dict}. When this
2380 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2381 {default} is omitted.
2382
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002383
2384getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2385 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2386 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2387 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002388 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2389 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2390 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002391 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2392 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2393 returned, there is no error message.
2394 Examples: >
2395 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2396 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2397<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002398getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2399 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2400 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2401 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2402 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2403 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2404 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2405 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2406 not consumed. If a normal character is
2407 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2408 non-zero value is returned.
2409 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2410 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2411 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2412 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2413 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2414 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2415 user that a character has to be typed.
2416 There is no mapping for the character.
2417 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2418 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2419 sequence. Examples: >
2420 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2421 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2422< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2423 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2424 :function FindChar()
2425 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2426 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2427 : normal l
2428 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2429 : break
2430 : endif
2431 : endwhile
2432 :endfunction
2433
2434getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2435 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2436 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2437 These values are added together:
2438 2 shift
2439 4 control
2440 8 alt (meta)
2441 16 mouse double click
2442 32 mouse triple click
2443 64 mouse quadruple click
2444 128 Macintosh only: command
2445 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2446 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2447 with no modifier.
2448
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002449getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2450 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2451 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2452 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2453 Example: >
2454 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
2455< Also see |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
2456
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002457getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002458 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2459 byte count. The first column is 1.
2460 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2461 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
2462 Also see |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2463
2464 *getcwd()*
2465getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2466 working directory.
2467
2468getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2469 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2470 given file {fname}.
2471 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2472 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2473
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002474getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2475 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2476 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2477 |hl-Normal|.
2478 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2479 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2480 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2481 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
2482 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not you your vimrc or
2483 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2484 for a valid name does not work.
2485 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2486 function just after the GUI has started.
2487
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002488getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2489 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2490 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2491 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2492 empty string is returned.
2493 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2494 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2495 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2496 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2497 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2498 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2499< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2500 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002501
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002502getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2503 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2504 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2505 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2506 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2507 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2508
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002509getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2510 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2511 file of the given file {fname}.
2512 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2513 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2514 results:
2515 Normal file "file"
2516 Directory "dir"
2517 Symbolic link "link"
2518 Block device "bdev"
2519 Character device "cdev"
2520 Socket "socket"
2521 FIFO "fifo"
2522 All other "other"
2523 Example: >
2524 getftype("/home")
2525< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2526 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2527 "file" are returned.
2528
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002529 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002530getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2531 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2532 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002533 getline(1)
2534< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2535 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2536 To get the line under the cursor: >
2537 getline(".")
2538< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2539 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2540
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002541 When {end} is given the result is a List where each item is a
2542 line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
2543 including line {end}.
2544 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2545 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
2546 When {end} is before {lnum} an error is given.
2547 Example: >
2548 :let start = line('.')
2549 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2550 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2551
2552
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002553getqflist() *getqflist()*
2554 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2555 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2556 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2557 bufname() to get the name
2558 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2559 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002560 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2561 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002562 nr error number
2563 text description of the error
2564 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2565 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2566
2567 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2568 do something with them: >
2569 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2570 :for d in getqflist()
2571 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2572 :endfor
2573
2574
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002575getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002576 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002577 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002578 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2579< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002580 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002581 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2582 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2583 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002584 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2585
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002586
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002587getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2588 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2589 The value will be one of:
2590 "v" for |characterwise| text
2591 "V" for |linewise| text
2592 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2593 0 for an empty or unknown register
2594 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2595 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2596
2597 *getwinposx()*
2598getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2599 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2600 -1 if the information is not available.
2601
2602 *getwinposy()*
2603getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2604 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2605 information is not available.
2606
2607getwinvar({nr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2608 The result is the value of option or local window variable
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00002609 {varname} in window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current
2610 window is used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002611 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
2612 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
2613 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002614 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2615 Examples: >
2616 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2617 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2618<
2619 *glob()*
2620glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2621 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2622 characters.
2623 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2624 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2625
2626 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2627 any external command. Example: >
2628 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2629 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2630< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2631 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2632
2633 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2634 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2635
2636globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2637 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2638 the results. Example: >
2639 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2640< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2641 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2642 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2643 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2644 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2645 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2646 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2647 error message.
2648 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2649 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2650
2651 *has()*
2652has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2653 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2654 string. See |feature-list| below.
2655 Also see |exists()|.
2656
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002657
2658has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
2659 The result is a Number, which is 1 if Dictionary {dict} has an
2660 entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
2661
2662
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002663hasmapto({what} [, {mode}]) *hasmapto()*
2664 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2665 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2666 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2667 {mode}.
2668 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2669 buffer are checked for a match.
2670 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2671 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2672 n Normal mode
2673 v Visual mode
2674 o Operator-pending mode
2675 i Insert mode
2676 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2677 c Command-line mode
2678 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2679
2680 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2681 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2682 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2683 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2684 :endif
2685< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
2686 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
2687
2688histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
2689 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
2690 one of: *hist-names*
2691 "cmd" or ":" command line history
2692 "search" or "/" search pattern history
2693 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
2694 "input" or "@" input line history
2695 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
2696 shifted to become the newest entry.
2697 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
2698 otherwise 0 is returned.
2699
2700 Example: >
2701 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
2702 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
2703< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2704
2705histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002706 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002707 for the possible values of {history}.
2708
2709 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
2710 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
2711 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
2712 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
2713 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
2714 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
2715 if it exists.
2716
2717 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
2718 otherwise 0 is returned.
2719
2720 Examples:
2721 Clear expression register history: >
2722 :call histdel("expr")
2723<
2724 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
2725 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
2726<
2727 The following three are equivalent: >
2728 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
2729 :call histdel("search", -1)
2730 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
2731<
2732 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
2733 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
2734 :call histdel("search", -1)
2735 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
2736
2737histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
2738 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
2739 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
2740 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
2741 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
2742 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
2743
2744 Examples:
2745 Redo the second last search from history. >
2746 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
2747
2748< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
2749 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
2750 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
2751<
2752histnr({history}) *histnr()*
2753 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
2754 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
2755 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
2756
2757 Example: >
2758 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
2759<
2760hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
2761 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
2762 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
2763 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
2764 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
2765 item.
2766 *highlight_exists()*
2767 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
2768
2769 *hlID()*
2770hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
2771 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
2772 zero is returned.
2773 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
2774 group. For example, to get the background color of the
2775 "Comment" group: >
2776 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
2777< *highlightID()*
2778 Obsolete name: highlightID().
2779
2780hostname() *hostname()*
2781 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002782 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002783 256 characters long are truncated.
2784
2785iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
2786 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
2787 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
2788 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
2789 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
2790 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
2791 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
2792 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
2793 can be done.
2794 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
2795 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
2796 UTF-8 and use: >
2797 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
2798< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
2799 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
2800 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
2801 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
2802
2803 *indent()*
2804indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
2805 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
2806 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
2807 |getline()|.
2808 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
2809
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002810
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002811index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002812 Return the lowest index in List {list} where the item has a
2813 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002814 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
2815 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002816 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
2817 case must match.
2818 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
2819 Example: >
2820 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00002821 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002822
2823
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002824input({prompt} [, {text}]) *input()*
2825 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
2826 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
2827 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
2828 prompt to start a new line. The highlighting set with
2829 |:echohl| is used for the prompt. The input is entered just
2830 like a command-line, with the same editing commands and
2831 mappings. There is a separate history for lines typed for
2832 input().
2833 If the optional {text} is present, this is used for the
2834 default reply, as if the user typed this.
2835 NOTE: This must not be used in a startup file, for the
2836 versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
2837 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
2838 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
2839 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
2840 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
2841 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
2842 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
2843 |:execute| or |:normal|.
2844
2845 Example: >
2846 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
2847 : echo "Cheers!"
2848 :endif
2849< Example with default text: >
2850 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
2851< Example with a mapping: >
2852 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
2853 :function GetFoo()
2854 : call inputsave()
2855 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
2856 : call inputrestore()
2857 :endfunction
2858
2859inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
2860 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
2861 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
2862 Example: >
2863 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
2864 :if n != ""
2865 : let &sw = n
2866 :endif
2867< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
2868 omitted an empty string is returned.
2869 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
2870 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
2871
2872inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
2873 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
2874 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
2875 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
2876 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
2877
2878inputsave() *inputsave()*
2879 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
2880 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
2881 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
2882 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
2883 many inputrestore() calls.
2884 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
2885
2886inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
2887 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
2888 two exceptions:
2889 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
2890 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
2891 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
2892 |history| stack.
2893 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
2894 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
2895
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002896insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
2897 Insert {item} at the start of List {list}.
2898 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
2899 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
2900 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
2901 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002902 Returns the resulting List. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002903 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
2904 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
2905 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002906< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002907 Note that when {item} is a List it is inserted as a single
2908 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
2909
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002910isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
2911 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
2912 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
2913 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
2914 is any expression, which is used as a String.
2915
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00002916islocked({expr}) *islocked()*
2917 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
2918 name of a locked variable.
2919 {expr} must be the name of a variable, List item or Dictionary
2920 entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
2921 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
2922 :lockvar 1 alist
2923 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
2924 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
2925
2926< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
2927 message. Use |exists()| to check for existance.
2928
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002929items({dict}) *items()*
2930 Return a List with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
2931 List item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict} entry
2932 and the value of this entry. The List is in arbitrary order.
2933
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002934
2935join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
2936 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
2937 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
2938 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
2939 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
2940 add it there too: >
2941 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
2942< String items are used as-is. Lists and Dictionaries are
2943 converted into a string like with |string()|.
2944 The opposite function is |split()|.
2945
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002946keys({dict}) *keys()*
2947 Return a List with all the keys of {dict}. The List is in
2948 arbitrary order.
2949
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002950 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002951len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
2952 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
2953 used, as with |strlen()|.
2954 When {expr} is a List the number of items in the List is
2955 returned.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002956 When {expr} is a Dictionary the number of entries in the
2957 Dictionary is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002958 Otherwise an error is given.
2959
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002960 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
2961libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
2962 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
2963 with single argument {argument}.
2964 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
2965 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
2966 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
2967 limited.
2968 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
2969 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
2970 to Vim.
2971 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
2972 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
2973 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
2974 null-terminated string.
2975 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
2976
2977 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
2978 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
2979 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
2980 very probably crash.
2981
2982 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
2983 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
2984 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
2985 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
2986 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
2987 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
2988 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
2989 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
2990 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
2991 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
2992
2993 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
2994 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
2995 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
2996 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
2997 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
2998 the DLL is not in the usual places.
2999 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3000 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3001 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3002 feature is present}
3003 Examples: >
3004 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
3005 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
3006<
3007 *libcallnr()*
3008libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3009 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3010 int instead of a string.
3011 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3012 feature is present}
3013 Example (not very useful...): >
3014 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3015 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3016<
3017 *line()*
3018line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3019 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3020 . the cursor position
3021 $ the last line in the current buffer
3022 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3023 returned)
3024 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
3025 Examples: >
3026 line(".") line number of the cursor
3027 line("'t") line number of mark t
3028 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3029< *last-position-jump*
3030 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3031 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3032 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003033
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003034line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3035 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3036 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3037 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3038 line returns 1.
3039 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3040 below the last line: >
3041 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3042< This is the file size plus one.
3043 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3044 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3045 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3046
3047lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3048 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3049 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3050 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3051 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3052 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3053 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3054
3055localtime() *localtime()*
3056 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3057 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3058
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003059
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003060map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
3061 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
3062 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3063 {string}.
3064 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
3065 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
3066 Example: >
3067 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003068< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003069
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003070 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003071 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003072 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3073 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003074
3075 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
3076 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003077 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003078
3079< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003080
3081
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003082maparg({name}[, {mode}]) *maparg()*
3083 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3084 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
3085 These characters can be used for {mode}:
3086 "n" Normal
3087 "v" Visual
3088 "o" Operator-pending
3089 "i" Insert
3090 "c" Cmd-line
3091 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3092 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
3093 When {mode} is omitted, the modes from "" are used.
3094 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3095 command. The returned String has special characters
3096 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3097 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3098 then the global mappings.
3099
3100mapcheck({name}[, {mode}]) *mapcheck()*
3101 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3102 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3103 {name}.
3104 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3105 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3106
3107 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3108 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3109 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3110 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3111 mapcheck("b") no no no
3112
3113 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3114 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3115 mapping for {name} exactly.
3116 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3117 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3118 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3119 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3120 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3121 then the global mappings.
3122 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3123 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3124 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3125 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3126 :endif
3127< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3128 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3129
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003130match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003131 When {expr} is a List then this returns the index of the first
3132 item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a String,
3133 Lists and Dictionaries are used as echoed.
3134 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3135 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3136 {pat} matches.
3137 A match at the first character or List item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003138 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3139 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003140 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
3141 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 2
3142< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003143 *strpbrk()*
3144 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3145 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3146< *strcasestr()*
3147 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3148 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3149 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3150<
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003151 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003152 is found in a String the search for the next one starts on
3153 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003154 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003155< In a List the search continues in the next item.
3156
3157 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
3158 {start} in a String or item {start} in a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003159 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003160 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003161 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3162< result is again "4". >
3163 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3164< result is again "4". >
3165 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3166< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003167 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3168 the index is counted from the end.
3169 If {start} is out of range (> strlen({expr} for a String or
3170 > len({expr} for a List) -1 is returned.
3171
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003172 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3173 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3174 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3175 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3176
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003177matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003178 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3179 the match. Example: >
3180 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3181< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003182 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3183 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3184 do it with matchend(): >
3185 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3186 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3187< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3188
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003189 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3190 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3191< results in "7". >
3192 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3193< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003194 When {expr} is a List the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003195
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003196matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
3197 Same as match(), but return a List. The first item in the
3198 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3199 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
3200 in |:substitute|.
3201 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3202
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003203matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003204 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3205 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3206< results in "ing".
3207 When there is no match "" is returned.
3208 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3209 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3210< results in "ing". >
3211 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3212< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003213 When {expr} is a List then the matching item is returned.
3214 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003215
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003216 *max()*
3217max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3218 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3219 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3220 An empty List results in zero.
3221
3222 *min()*
3223min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3224 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3225 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3226 An empty List results in zero.
3227
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003228 *mkdir()* *E749*
3229mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3230 Create directory {name}.
3231 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3232 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3233 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3234 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3235 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3236 for others.
3237 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3238 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3239 :if exists("*mkdir")
3240<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003241 *mode()*
3242mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3243 n Normal
3244 v Visual by character
3245 V Visual by line
3246 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3247 s Select by character
3248 S Select by line
3249 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3250 i Insert
3251 R Replace
3252 c Command-line
3253 r Hit-enter prompt
3254 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3255 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3256
3257nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3258 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3259 that is not blank. Example: >
3260 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3261< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3262 below it, zero is returned.
3263 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3264
3265nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3266 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3267 value {expr}. Examples: >
3268 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3269 nr2char(32) returns " "
3270< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3271 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3272< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3273 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3274 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003275 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003276
3277prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3278 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3279 that is not blank. Example: >
3280 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3281< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3282 above it, zero is returned.
3283 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3284
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003285 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003286range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
3287 Returns a List with Numbers:
3288 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3289 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3290 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3291 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3292 producing a value past {max}).
3293 Examples: >
3294 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
3295 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3296 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
3297 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
3298<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003299 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003300readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003301 Read file {fname} and return a List, each line of the file as
3302 an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
3303 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3304 NL appears somewhere).
3305 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3306 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3307 added.
3308 - No CR characters are removed.
3309 Otherwise:
3310 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3311 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3312 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003313 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
3314 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
3315 lines of a file: >
3316 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
3317 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
3318 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003319< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
3320 are returned, or as many as there are.
3321 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003322 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
3323 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
3324 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003325 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3326 the result is an empty list.
3327 Also see |writefile()|.
3328
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003329 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3330remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3331 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3332 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
3333 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3334 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3335 remote_read() is stored there.
3336 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3337 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3338 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3339 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3340 and the result will be the empty string.
3341 Examples: >
3342 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3343 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3344<
3345
3346remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3347 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3348 This works like: >
3349 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3350< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3351 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3352 to bring itself to the foreground.
3353 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3354 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3355 Win32 console version}
3356
3357
3358remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3359 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3360 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3361 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3362 name of a variable.
3363 Returns zero if none are available.
3364 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3365 See also |clientserver|.
3366 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3367 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3368 Examples: >
3369 :let repl = ""
3370 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3371
3372remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3373 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3374 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3375 See also |clientserver|.
3376 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3377 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3378 Example: >
3379 :echo remote_read(id)
3380<
3381 *remote_send()* *E241*
3382remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003383 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3384 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3385 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003386 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3387 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3388 remote_read() is stored there.
3389 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3390 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3391 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3392 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3393 up the display.
3394 Examples: >
3395 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3396 \ remote_read(serverid)
3397
3398 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3399 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3400 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3401 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003402<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003403remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
3404 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from List {list} and
3405 return it.
3406 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3407 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3408 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3409 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3410 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003411 Example: >
3412 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003413 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003414remove({dict}, {key})
3415 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3416 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3417< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3418
3419 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003420
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003421rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3422 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3423 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3424 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3425 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
3426 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3427
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003428repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
3429 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
3430 result. Example: >
3431 :let seperator = repeat('-', 80)
3432< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003433 When {expr} is a List the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003434 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003435 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
3436< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003437
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003438
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003439resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
3440 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
3441 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
3442 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
3443 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
3444 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
3445 stopped after 100 iterations.
3446 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
3447 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
3448 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
3449 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
3450 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
3451
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003452 *reverse()*
3453reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
3454 {list}.
3455 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3456 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
3457
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003458search({pattern} [, {flags}]) *search()*
3459 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003460 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003461 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
3462 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003463 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003464 'w' wrap around the end of the file
3465 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
3466 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
3467
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003468 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
3469 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
3470 flag is used).
3471 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
3472 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003473
3474 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
3475 :let n = 1
3476 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
3477 : exe "argument " . n
3478 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
3479 : " first search to find match at start of file
3480 : normal G$
3481 : let flags = "w"
3482 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
3483 : s/foo/bar/g
3484 : let flags = "W"
3485 : endwhile
3486 : update " write the file if modified
3487 : let n = n + 1
3488 :endwhile
3489<
3490 *searchpair()*
3491searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
3492 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
3493 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
3494 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
3495 The search starts at the cursor. If a match is found, the
3496 cursor is positioned at it and the line number is returned.
3497 If no match is found 0 or -1 is returned and the cursor
3498 doesn't move. No error message is given.
3499
3500 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
3501 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
3502 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
3503 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
3504 typical use is: >
3505 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
3506< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
3507
3508 {flags} are used like with |search()|. Additionally:
3509 'n' do Not move the cursor
3510 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
3511 outer pair
3512 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
3513 the match; will only be > 1 when 'r' is used.
3514
3515 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
3516 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
3517 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
3518 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
3519 or a string.
3520 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
3521 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
3522 and -1 returned.
3523
3524 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
3525 patterns are used like it's on.
3526
3527 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
3528 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
3529 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
3530 if 1
3531 if 2
3532 endif 2
3533 endif 1
3534< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
3535 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
3536 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
3537 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
3538 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
3539 "endif 2".
3540 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
3541 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
3542 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
3543 the matching start.
3544
3545 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
3546
3547 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
3548 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
3549
3550< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
3551 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
3552 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
3553 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
3554 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
3555 match.
3556 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
3557
3558 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
3559
3560< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
3561 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
3562 highlighting recognized as strings: >
3563
3564 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
3565 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
3566<
3567server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
3568 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
3569 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
3570 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3571 Note:
3572 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003573 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003574 before calling any commands that waits for input.
3575 See also |clientserver|.
3576 Example: >
3577 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
3578<
3579serverlist() *serverlist()*
3580 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
3581 When there are no servers or the information is not available
3582 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
3583 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3584 Example: >
3585 :echo serverlist()
3586<
3587setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
3588 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
3589 {val}.
3590 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
3591 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
3592 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
3593 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3594 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
3595 Examples: >
3596 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
3597 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
3598< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3599
3600setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
3601 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
3602 {pos}. The first position is 1.
3603 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
3604 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003605 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
3606 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
3607 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
3608 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
3609 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003610 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
3611 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
3612 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
3613 line.
3614
3615setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003616 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
3617 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003618 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
3619 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003620 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
3621 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003622 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003623< When {line} is a List then line {lnum} and following lines
3624 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
3625 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
3626< This is equivalent to: >
3627 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
3628 : call setline(n, l)
3629 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003630< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
3631
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003632
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00003633setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003634 Creates a quickfix list using the items in {list}. Each item
3635 in {list} is a dictionary. Non-dictionary items in {list} are
3636 ignored. Each dictionary item can contain the following
3637 entries:
3638
3639 filename name of a file
3640 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003641 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003642 col column number
3643 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
3644 when zero: "col" is byte index
3645 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003646 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003647 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003648
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003649 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
3650 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
3651 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003652 If the "filename" entry is not present or neither the "lnum"
3653 or "pattern" entries are present, then the item will not be
3654 handled as an error line.
3655 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
3656 be used.
3657
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00003658 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
3659 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
3660 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
3661 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
3662 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
3663 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
3664
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003665 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
3666
3667 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
3668 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
3669 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
3670
3671
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003672 *setreg()*
3673setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
3674 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
3675 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
3676 then the value is appended.
3677 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
3678 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
3679 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
3680 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
3681 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
3682 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
3683 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
3684 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
3685
3686 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
3687 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
3688 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
3689 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
3690
3691 Examples: >
3692 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
3693 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
3694 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
3695
3696< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
3697 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003698 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003699 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
3700 ....
3701 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
3702
3703< You can also change the type of a register by appending
3704 nothing: >
3705 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
3706
3707setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
3708 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00003709 {val}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003710 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
3711 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
3712 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
3713 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
3714 Examples: >
3715 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
3716 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
3717< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3718
3719simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
3720 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
3721 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
3722 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
3723 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
3724 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
3725 not removed either.
3726 Example: >
3727 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
3728< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
3729 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
3730 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
3731 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
3732 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
3733
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003734
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003735sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003736 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
3737 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3738 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
3739< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003740 Numbers sort after Strings, Lists after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003741 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003742 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
3743 When {func} is a Funcref or a function name, this function is
3744 called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
3745 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
3746 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
3747 sorts before the second one. Example: >
3748 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
3749 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
3750 endfunc
3751 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
3752
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003753split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
3754 Make a List out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or empty
3755 each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003756 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003757 removing the matched characters.
3758 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
3759 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00003760 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
3761 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003762 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003763 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003764< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003765 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00003766< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
3767 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
3768< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003769 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
3770 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
3771< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003772
3773
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003774strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
3775 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
3776 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
3777 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
3778 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
3779 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
3780 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
3781 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
3782 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
3783 Examples: >
3784 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
3785 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
3786 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
3787 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
3788 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
3789 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003790< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3791 :if exists("*strftime")
3792
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003793stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
3794 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
3795 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003796 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
3797 This can be used to find a second match: >
3798 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
3799 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
3800< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003801 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003802 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003803 See also |strridx()|.
3804 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003805 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
3806 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
3807 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003808< *strstr()* *strchr()*
3809 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
3810 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
3811
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003812 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003813string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
3814 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
3815 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003816 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003817 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003818 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003819 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003820 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00003821 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003822 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003823
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003824 *strlen()*
3825strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
3826 {expr} in bytes. If you want to count the number of
3827 multi-byte characters use something like this: >
3828
3829 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
3830
3831< Composing characters are not counted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003832 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
3833 For other types an error is given.
3834 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003835
3836strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
3837 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
3838 byte {start}, with the length {len}.
3839 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
3840 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
3841 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
3842 end of the {src}. >
3843 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
3844 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
3845 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
3846 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
3847< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
3848 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
3849 strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3)
3850<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003851strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
3852 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
3853 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
3854 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
3855 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
3856 match: >
3857 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
3858 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
3859< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003860 For pattern searches use |match()|.
3861 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003862 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003863 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003864 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003865< *strrchr()*
3866 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
3867 function strrchr().
3868
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003869strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
3870 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
3871 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
3872 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
3873 echo strtrans(@a)
3874< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
3875 starting a new line.
3876
3877submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
3878 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
3879 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
3880 the whole matched text is returned.
3881 Example: >
3882 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
3883< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
3884 A line break is included as a newline character.
3885
3886substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
3887 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
3888 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
3889 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
3890 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
3891 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
3892 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
3893 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
3894 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
3895 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
3896 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
3897 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
3898 unmodified.
3899 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
3900 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
3901 Example: >
3902 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
3903< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
3904 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
3905< results in "TESTING".
3906
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003907synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003908 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003909 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003910 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
3911 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003912 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003913 line.
3914 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
3915 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
3916 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
3917 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
3918 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
3919 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
3920 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
3921
3922 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
3923 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
3924<
3925synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
3926 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
3927 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
3928 about a syntax item.
3929 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
3930 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
3931 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
3932 used (GUI, cterm or term).
3933 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
3934 {what} result
3935 "name" the name of the syntax item
3936 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
3937 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
3938 term: empty string)
3939 "bg" background color (like "fg")
3940 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
3941 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
3942 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
3943 "bold" "1" if bold
3944 "italic" "1" if italic
3945 "reverse" "1" if reverse
3946 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
3947 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003948 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003949
3950 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
3951 cursor): >
3952 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
3953<
3954synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
3955 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
3956 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
3957 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
3958 ":highlight link" are followed.
3959
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00003960system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
3961 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
3962 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
3963 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
3964 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003965 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00003966 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
3967 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
3968 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003969 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
3970 The result is a String. Example: >
3971
3972 :let files = system("ls")
3973
3974< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
3975 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
3976 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
3977 The command executed is constructed using several options:
3978 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
3979 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
3980 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
3981 concatenated commands.
3982
3983 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
3984 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3985 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
3986 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
3987
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003988
3989taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
3990 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
3991 Each list item is a dictionary with the following entries:
3992 name name of the tag.
3993 filename name of the file where the tag is
3994 defined.
3995 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
3996 the file.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003997 kind type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003998 entry depends on the language specific
3999 kind values generated by the ctags
4000 tool.
4001 static a file specific tag. Refer to
4002 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004003 The "kind" entry is only available when using Exuberant ctags
4004 generated tags file. More entries may be present, depending
4005 on the content of the tags file: access, implementation,
4006 inherits and signature. Refer to the ctags documentation for
4007 information about these fields. For C code the fields
4008 "struct", "class" and "enum" may appear, they give the name of
4009 the entity the tag is contained in.
4010
4011 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
4012 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004013
4014 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
4015
4016 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
4017 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
4018 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
4019
4020 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
4021 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
4022 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
4023
4024
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004025tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
4026 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
4027 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
4028 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
4029 :let tmpfile = tempname()
4030 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
4031< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
4032 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
4033 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
4034 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
4035 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
4036 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
4037
4038tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
4039 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
4040 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
4041 the string).
4042
4043toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
4044 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
4045 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
4046 the string).
4047
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00004048tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
4049 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
4050 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
4051 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
4052 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
4053 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
4054 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
4055
4056 Examples: >
4057 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
4058< returns "Hello THere" >
4059 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
4060< returns "{blob}"
4061
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004062 *type()*
4063type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004064 Number: 0
4065 String: 1
4066 Funcref: 2
4067 List: 3
4068 Dictionary: 4
4069 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004070 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
4071 :if type(myvar) == type("")
4072 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
4073 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004074 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004075
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004076values({dict}) *values()*
4077 Return a List with all the values of {dict}. The List is in
4078 arbitrary order.
4079
4080
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004081virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
4082 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
4083 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
4084 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
4085 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
4086 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
4087 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
4088 set to 8, it returns 8.
4089 For the byte position use |col()|.
4090 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
4091 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
4092 The accepted positions are:
4093 . the cursor position
4094 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
4095 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
4096 plus one)
4097 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
4098 returned)
4099 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
4100 Examples: >
4101 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
4102 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
4103 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
4104< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
4105
4106visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
4107 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
4108 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
4109 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
4110 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
4111 block-wise Visual mode respectively.
4112 Example: >
4113 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
4114< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
4115 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
4116 Visual mode that was used.
4117
4118 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
4119 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
4120 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
4121 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
4122
4123 *winbufnr()*
4124winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004125 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004126 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
4127 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4128 Example: >
4129 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
4130<
4131 *wincol()*
4132wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
4133 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
4134 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
4135
4136winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
4137 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
4138 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
4139 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4140 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
4141 Examples: >
4142 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
4143<
4144 *winline()*
4145winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
4146 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
4147 the window. The first line is one.
4148
4149 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004150winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4151 window. The top window has number 1.
4152 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
4153 last window is returnd (the window count).
4154 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
4155 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
4156 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
4157 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
4158 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004159
4160 *winrestcmd()*
4161winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
4162 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
4163 are opened or closed and the current window is unchanged.
4164 Example: >
4165 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
4166 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
4167 :exe cmd
4168
4169winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
4170 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
4171 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
4172 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4173 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
4174 Examples: >
4175 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
4176 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
4177 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
4178 :endif
4179<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004180 *writefile()*
4181writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
4182 Write List {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
4183 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
4184 Number.
4185 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
4186 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
4187 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
4188 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
4189 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
4190 to writefile().
4191 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
4192 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
4193 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
4194 fails.
4195 Also see |readfile()|.
4196 To copy a file byte for byte: >
4197 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
4198 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
4199<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004200
4201 *feature-list*
4202There are three types of features:
42031. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
4204 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
4205 :if has("cindent")
42062. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
4207 Example: >
4208 :if has("gui_running")
4209< *has-patch*
42103. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
4211 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
4212 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
4213 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
4214
4215all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
4216amiga Amiga version of Vim.
4217arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
4218arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
4219autocmd Compiled with autocommands support.
4220balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
4221beos BeOS version of Vim.
4222browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
4223 work.
4224builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
4225byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
4226cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
4227clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
4228clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
4229cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
4230cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
4231cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
4232comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
4233cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
4234cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
4235compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
4236debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
4237dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
4238dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
4239diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
4240digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
4241dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
4242dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
4243dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
4244ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
4245emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
4246eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
4247 true, of course!
4248ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
4249extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
4250 |'hlsearch'|
4251farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
4252file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004253filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
4254 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004255find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
4256 |+find_in_path|.
4257fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
4258 Windows this is not present).
4259folding Compiled with |folding| support.
4260footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
4261fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
4262gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
4263gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
4264gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004265gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
4266gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00004267gui_kde Compiled with KDE GUI |KVim|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004268gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
4269gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
4270gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
4271gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
4272gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
4273gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
4274hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
4275iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
4276insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
4277 Insert mode.
4278jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
4279keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
4280langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
4281libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
4282linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
4283 support.
4284lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
4285listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
4286 and the argument list |arglist|.
4287localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
4288mac Macintosh version of Vim.
4289macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
4290menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
4291mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
4292modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
4293mouse Compiled with support mouse.
4294mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
4295mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
4296mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
4297mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
4298mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
4299mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
4300multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
4301multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
4302multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00004303mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004304netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00004305netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004306ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
4307os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
4308osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
4309path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
4310perl Compiled with Perl interface.
4311postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
4312printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004313profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004314python Compiled with Python interface.
4315qnx QNX version of Vim.
4316quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
4317rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
4318ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
4319scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
4320showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
4321signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
4322smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00004323sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004324statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
4325 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
4326sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00004327spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
4328syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004329syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
4330 current buffer.
4331system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
4332tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
4333 |tag-binary-search|.
4334tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
4335 |tag-old-static|.
4336tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
4337 files |tag-any-white|.
4338tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
4339terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
4340termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
4341textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
4342tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
4343 or terminfo file.
4344title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
4345toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
4346unix Unix version of Vim.
4347user_commands User-defined commands.
4348viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
4349vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
4350vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
4351virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
4352visual Compiled with Visual mode.
4353visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
4354 |blockwise-operators|.
4355vms VMS version of Vim.
4356vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
4357wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
4358wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
4359windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
4360winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
4361win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
4362win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
4363win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
4364win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
4365win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
4366writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
4367xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
4368xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
4369xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
4370xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
4371xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
4372xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
4373 xterm screen.
4374x11 Compiled with X11 support.
4375
4376 *string-match*
4377Matching a pattern in a String
4378
4379A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
4380the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
4381everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
4382like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
4383line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
4384with ".". Example: >
4385 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
4386 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
4387 aa
4388 xx
4389 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
4390 a
4391 x
4392
4393Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
4394"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
4395"\n".
4396
4397==============================================================================
43985. Defining functions *user-functions*
4399
4400New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
4401functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
4402commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
4403
4404The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
4405builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
4406avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
4407the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
4408
4409It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|.
4410
4411 *local-function*
4412A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
4413can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
4414and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
4415function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
4416instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
4417
4418 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
4419:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
4420
4421:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004422 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4423 Funcref: >
4424 :function dict.init
4425< *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004426:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004427 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
4428 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
4429 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004430
4431 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4432 Funcref: >
4433 :function dict.init(arg)
4434< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
4435 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
4436 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
4437 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
4438 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
4439 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004440 *E127* *E122*
4441 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
4442 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
4443 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
4444 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004445
4446 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
4447
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004448 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
4449 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
4450 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
4451 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
4452 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
4453 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
4454 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004455
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004456 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
4457 abort as soon as an error is detected.
4458 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
4459 will not be changed by the function.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004460
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004461 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
4462 be invoked through an entry in a Dictionary. The
4463 local variable "self" will then be set to the
4464 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004465
4466 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
4467:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
4468 by its own, without other commands.
4469
4470 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
4471:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004472 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4473 Funcref: >
4474 :delfunc dict.init
4475< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
4476 function is deleted if there are no more references to
4477 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004478 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
4479:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
4480 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
4481 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
4482 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
4483 the number 0 is returned.
4484 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
4485 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
4486
4487 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
4488 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
4489 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
4490 are executed first. This process applies to all
4491 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
4492 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
4493
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004494 *function-argument* *a:var*
4495An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
4496be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
4497 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
4498Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
4499arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
4500may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
4501as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004502can be 0). "a:000" is set to a List that contains these arguments. Note that
4503"a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
4504 *E742*
4505The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
4506However, if a List or Dictionary is used, you can changes their contents.
4507Thus you can pass a List to a function and have the function add an item to
4508it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a List or Dictionary
4509use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004510
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004511When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
4512to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
4513may be larger.
4514
4515It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
4516still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
4517until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
4518inside a function body.
4519
4520 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004521Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
4522will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
4523accessed with "g:".
4524
4525Example: >
4526 :function Table(title, ...)
4527 : echohl Title
4528 : echo a:title
4529 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004530 : echo a:0 . " items:"
4531 : for s in a:000
4532 : echon ' ' . s
4533 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004534 :endfunction
4535
4536This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004537 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
4538 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004539
4540To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
4541 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
4542 : if a:n2 == 0
4543 : return "fail"
4544 : endif
4545 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
4546 : return "ok"
4547 :endfunction
4548
4549This function can then be called with: >
4550 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
4551 :if success == "ok"
4552 : echo div
4553 :endif
4554
4555An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
4556with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
4557 :function Foo()
4558 : execute Bar()
4559 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
4560 :endfunction
4561
4562 :function Bar()
4563 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
4564 :endfunction
4565
4566The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
4567the caller to set the names.
4568
4569 *:cal* *:call* *E107*
4570:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
4571 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
4572 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
4573 used.
4574 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
4575 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
4576 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
4577 function.
4578 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
4579 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
4580 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
4581 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
4582 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
4583 this works:
4584 *function-range-example* >
4585 :function Mynumber(arg)
4586 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
4587 :endfunction
4588 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
4589<
4590 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
4591 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
4592 the range.
4593
4594 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
4595
4596 :function Cont() range
4597 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
4598 :endfunction
4599 :4,8call Cont()
4600<
4601 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
4602 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
4603
4604 *E132*
4605The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
4606option.
4607
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004608
4609AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004610 *autoload-functions*
4611When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004612only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
4613the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
4614
4615
4616Using an autocommand ~
4617
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004618This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
4619
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004620The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
4621You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
4622That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
4623again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
4624
4625Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
4626function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004627
4628 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
4629
4630The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
4631"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
4632
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004633
4634Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004635 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004636This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
4637
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004638Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
4639exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
4640like this: >
4641
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004642 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004643
4644When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
4645"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
4646"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
4647then define the function like this: >
4648
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004649 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004650 echo "Done!"
4651 endfunction
4652
4653The file name and the name used before the colon in the function must match
4654exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
4655called.
4656
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004657It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
4658a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004659
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004660 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004661
4662Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
4663
4664The name before the first colon must be at least two characters long,
4665otherwise it looks like a scope, such as "s:".
4666
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004667This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
4668
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004669 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004670
4671When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
4672be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
4673
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004674 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
4675 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004676
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00004677Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
4678defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
4679function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004680And you will get an error message every time.
4681
4682Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
4683other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
4684Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004685
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004686==============================================================================
46876. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
4688
4689Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
4690This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
4691{} like this: >
4692 my_{adjective}_variable
4693
4694When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
4695that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
4696name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
4697"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
4698"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
4699
4700One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
4701value. For example, the statement >
4702 echo my_{&background}_message
4703
4704would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
4705on the current value of 'background'.
4706
4707You can use multiple brace pairs: >
4708 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
4709..or even nest them: >
4710 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
4711where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
4712
4713However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004714variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004715 :let foo='a + b'
4716 :echo c{foo}d
4717.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
4718
4719 *curly-braces-function-names*
4720You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
4721Example: >
4722 :let func_end='whizz'
4723 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
4724
4725This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
4726
4727==============================================================================
47287. Commands *expression-commands*
4729
4730:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
4731 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
4732 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
4733 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
4734 is created.
4735
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004736:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
4737 Set a list item to the result of the expression
4738 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
4739 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
4740 the index can be repeated.
4741 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
4742
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004743 *E711* *E719*
4744:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004745 Set a sequence of items in a List to the result of the
4746 expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
4747 correct number of items.
4748 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
4749 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
4750 When the selected range of items is partly past the
4751 end of the list, items will be added.
4752
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004753 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004754:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
4755:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
4756:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
4757 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
4758 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
4759
4760
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004761:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
4762 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
4763 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004764:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
4765 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
4766 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
4767 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004768
4769:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
4770 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
4771 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
4772 must be the name of a writable register (see
4773 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
4774 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
4775 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
4776 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
4777 characterwise.
4778 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
4779 :let @/ = ""
4780< This is different from searching for an empty string,
4781 that would match everywhere.
4782
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004783:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
4784 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
4785 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
4786
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004787:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
4788 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004789 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
4790 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004791 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
4792 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
4793 value and the global value is changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004794 Example: >
4795 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004796
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004797:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
4798 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
4799 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
4800
4801:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
4802:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
4803 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
4804 {expr1}.
4805
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004806:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004807:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
4808:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
4809:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004810 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
4811 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
4812
4813:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004814:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
4815:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
4816:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004817 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
4818 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
4819
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004820:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004821 {expr1} must evaluate to a List. The first item in
4822 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
4823 {name2}, etc.
4824 The number of names must match the number of items in
4825 the List.
4826 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
4827 command as mentioned above.
4828 Example: >
4829 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004830< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
4831 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
4832 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
4833 :let x = [0, 1]
4834 :let i = 0
4835 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
4836 :echo x
4837< The result is [0, 2].
4838
4839:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
4840:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
4841:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
4842 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
4843 List item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004844
4845:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004846 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the List may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004847 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
4848 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
4849 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004850 Example: >
4851 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
4852<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004853:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
4854:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
4855:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
4856 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
4857 List item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004858 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004859:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00004860 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
4861 here: *E738*
4862 g: global variables.
4863 b: local buffer variables.
4864 w: local window variables.
4865 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004866
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004867:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
4868 variable is indicated before the value:
4869 <nothing> String
4870 # Number
4871 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004872
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004873
4874:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
4875 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
4876 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
4877 may also be a List or Dictionary item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004878 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
4879 variables.
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00004880 One or more items from a List can be removed: >
4881 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
4882 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
4883< One item from a Dictionary can be removed at a time: >
4884 :unlet dict['two']
4885 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004886
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004887:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
4888 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
4889 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
4890 A locked variable can be deleted: >
4891 :lockvar v
4892 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
4893 :unlet v
4894< *E741*
4895 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
4896 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
4897
4898 [depth] is relevant when locking a List or Dictionary.
4899 It specifies how deep the locking goes:
4900 1 Lock the List or Dictionary itself,
4901 cannot add or remove items, but can
4902 still change their values.
4903 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
4904 the items. If an item is a List or
4905 Dictionary, cannot add or remove
4906 items, but can still change the
4907 values.
4908 3 Like 2 but for the List/Dictionary in
4909 the List/Dictionary, one level deeper.
4910 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a List
4911 or Dictionary the values cannot be changed.
4912 *E743*
4913 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
4914 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
4915 loops.
4916
4917 Note that when two variables refer to the same List
4918 and you lock one of them, the List will also be locked
4919 when used through the other variable. Example: >
4920 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
4921 :let cl = l
4922 :lockvar l
4923 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
4924< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
4925 See |deepcopy()|.
4926
4927
4928:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
4929 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
4930 opposite of |:lockvar|.
4931
4932
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004933:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
4934:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
4935 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
4936
4937 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
4938 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
4939 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
4940 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
4941 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
4942 part was not executed either.
4943
4944 You can use this to remain compatible with older
4945 versions: >
4946 :if version >= 500
4947 : version-5-specific-commands
4948 :endif
4949< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
4950 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
4951 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
4952 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
4953 avoid problems: >
4954 :if version >= 600
4955 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
4956 :endif
4957<
4958 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
4959 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
4960
4961 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
4962:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
4963 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
4964 executed.
4965
4966 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
4967:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
4968 is no extra ":endif".
4969
4970:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004971 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004972:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
4973 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
4974 When an error is detected from a command inside the
4975 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004976 Example: >
4977 :let lnum = 1
4978 :while lnum <= line("$")
4979 :call FixLine(lnum)
4980 :let lnum = lnum + 1
4981 :endwhile
4982<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004983 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004984 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004985
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004986:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004987:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
4988 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004989 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004990 value of each item.
4991 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004992 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004993 Changing {list} affects what items are used. Make a
4994 copy if this is unwanted: >
4995 :for item in copy(mylist)
4996< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
4997 next item in the list, before executing the commands
4998 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
4999 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
5000 it will not be found. Thus the following example
5001 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
5002 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005003 :call remove(mylist, 0)
5004 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005005< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
5006 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
5007 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005008 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
5009 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
5010 to allow multiple item types.
5011
5012:for {var} in {string}
5013:endfo[r] Like ":for" above, but use each character in {string}
5014 as a list item.
5015 Composing characters are used as separate characters.
5016 A Number is first converted to a String.
5017
5018:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
5019:endfo[r]
5020 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
5021 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
5022 {var2}, etc. Example: >
5023 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
5024 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
5025 :endfor
5026<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005027 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005028:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
5029 to the start of the loop.
5030 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5031 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5032 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5033 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5034 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5035 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005036
5037 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005038:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
5039 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
5040 ":endfor".
5041 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5042 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5043 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5044 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5045 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5046 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005047
5048:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
5049:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
5050 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
5051 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
5052 or autocommand invocations.
5053
5054 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
5055 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
5056 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
5057 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
5058 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
5059 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
5060 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
5061 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
5062 Example: >
5063 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
5064 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
5065<
5066 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
5067 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
5068 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
5069 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
5070 processing is not terminated.
5071
5072 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
5073 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
5074 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
5075 other errors are converted to a value of the form
5076 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
5077 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
5078 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
5079 the error number.
5080 Examples: >
5081 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
5082 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
5083<
5084 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
5085:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
5086 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
5087 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
5088 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
5089 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
5090 commands are skipped.
5091 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
5092 Examples: >
5093 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
5094 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
5095 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
5096 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
5097 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
5098 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
5099 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
5100 :catch " same as /.*/
5101<
5102 Another character can be used instead of / around the
5103 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
5104 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
5105 {pattern}.
5106 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
5107 an error message because it may vary in different
5108 locales.
5109
5110 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
5111:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
5112 are executed whenever the part between the matching
5113 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
5114 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
5115 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
5116 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
5117
5118 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
5119:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
5120 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
5121 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
5122 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
5123 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
5124 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
5125 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
5126 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
5127 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
5128 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
5129 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
5130 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
5131 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
5132 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
5133 is terminated.
5134 Example: >
5135 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
5136<
5137
5138 *:ec* *:echo*
5139:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
5140 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
5141 Also see |:comment|.
5142 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
5143 cursor to the first column.
5144 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5145 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5146 Example: >
5147 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
5148< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
5149 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
5150 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
5151 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
5152 command. Example: >
5153 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
5154<
5155 *:echon*
5156:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
5157 |:comment|.
5158 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5159 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5160 Example: >
5161 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
5162<
5163 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
5164 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
5165 command: >
5166 :!echo % --> filename
5167< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
5168 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
5169< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
5170 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
5171 :echo % --> nothing
5172< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
5173 :echo "%" --> %
5174< This just echoes the '%' character. >
5175 :echo expand("%") --> filename
5176< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
5177
5178 *:echoh* *:echohl*
5179:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
5180 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
5181 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
5182 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
5183< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
5184 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
5185
5186 *:echom* *:echomsg*
5187:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
5188 message in the |message-history|.
5189 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5190 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
5191 displayed, not interpreted.
5192 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5193 Example: >
5194 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
5195<
5196 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
5197:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
5198 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
5199 script or function the line number will be added.
5200 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5201 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
5202 the message is raised as an error exception instead
5203 (see |try-echoerr|).
5204 Example: >
5205 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
5206< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
5207 And to get a beep: >
5208 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
5209<
5210 *:exe* *:execute*
5211:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
5212 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
5213 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
5214 used as the processed command, command line editing
5215 keys are not recognized.
5216 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5217 Examples: >
5218 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
5219 :execute "normal " count . "w"
5220<
5221 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
5222 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
5223 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
5224
5225< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
5226 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
5227 command: >
5228 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
5229< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
5230
5231 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005232 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
5233 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005234 :execute 'while i > 5'
5235 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
5236<
5237 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
5238 completely in the executed string: >
5239 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
5240<
5241
5242 *:comment*
5243 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
5244 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
5245 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
5246 comment. Example: >
5247 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
5248
5249==============================================================================
52508. Exception handling *exception-handling*
5251
5252The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
5253explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
5254
5255Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
5256|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
5257exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
5258
5259
5260TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
5261
5262Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
5263use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
5264a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
5265 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
5266|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
5267a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
5268be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
5269which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
5270clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
5271
5272 :try
5273 : ...
5274 : ... TRY BLOCK
5275 : ...
5276 :catch /{pattern}/
5277 : ...
5278 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5279 : ...
5280 :catch /{pattern}/
5281 : ...
5282 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5283 : ...
5284 :finally
5285 : ...
5286 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
5287 : ...
5288 :endtry
5289
5290The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
5291appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
5292from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
5293 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
5294is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
5295script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
5296 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
5297lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
5298patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
5299after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
5300executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
5301":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
5302(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
5303continues in the following line as usual.
5304 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
5305":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
5306that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
5307finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
5308the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
5309the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
5310see |try-nesting|.
5311 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
5312remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
5313not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
5314try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
5315a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
5316execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
5317exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5318 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
5319thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
5320clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
5321catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
5322following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
5323clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5324
5325The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
5326a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
5327try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
5328from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
5329sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
5330":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
5331":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
5332from the finally clause.
5333 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
5334try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
5335clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
5336":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
5337clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
5338":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
5339this pending exception or command is discarded.
5340
5341For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
5342
5343
5344NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
5345
5346Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
5347conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
5348clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
5349catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
5350of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
5351checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
5352try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
5353otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
5354nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
5355one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
5356the inner try conditional.
5357
5358When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
5359finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
5360An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
5361thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
5362implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
5363as usual.
5364
5365For examples see |throw-catch|.
5366
5367
5368EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
5369
5370Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
5371'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
5372script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
5373finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
5374a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
5375(see |debug-scripts|).
5376
5377
5378THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
5379
5380You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
5381and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
5382 :throw 4711
5383 :throw "string"
5384< *throw-expression*
5385You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
5386first, and the result is thrown: >
5387 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
5388 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
5389
5390An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
5391command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
5392The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
5393 Example: >
5394
5395 :function! Foo(arg)
5396 : try
5397 : throw a:arg
5398 : catch /foo/
5399 : endtry
5400 : return 1
5401 :endfunction
5402 :
5403 :function! Bar()
5404 : echo "in Bar"
5405 : return 4710
5406 :endfunction
5407 :
5408 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
5409
5410This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
5411executed. >
5412 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
5413however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
5414
5415Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
5416abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
5417exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
5418 Example: >
5419
5420 :if Foo("arrgh")
5421 : echo "then"
5422 :else
5423 : echo "else"
5424 :endif
5425
5426Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
5427
5428 *catch-order*
5429Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
5430commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
5431command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
5432gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
5433 Example: >
5434
5435 :function! Foo(value)
5436 : try
5437 : throw a:value
5438 : catch /^\d\+$/
5439 : echo "Number thrown"
5440 : catch /.*/
5441 : echo "String thrown"
5442 : endtry
5443 :endfunction
5444 :
5445 :call Foo(0x1267)
5446 :call Foo('string')
5447
5448The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
5449An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
5450specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
5451specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
5452
5453 : catch /.*/
5454 : echo "String thrown"
5455 : catch /^\d\+$/
5456 : echo "Number thrown"
5457
5458The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
5459never taken.
5460
5461 *throw-variables*
5462If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
5463in the variable |v:exception|: >
5464
5465 : catch /^\d\+$/
5466 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
5467
5468You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
5469|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
5470exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
5471 Example: >
5472
5473 :function! Caught()
5474 : if v:exception != ""
5475 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
5476 : else
5477 : echo 'Nothing caught'
5478 : endif
5479 :endfunction
5480 :
5481 :function! Foo()
5482 : try
5483 : try
5484 : try
5485 : throw 4711
5486 : finally
5487 : call Caught()
5488 : endtry
5489 : catch /.*/
5490 : call Caught()
5491 : throw "oops"
5492 : endtry
5493 : catch /.*/
5494 : call Caught()
5495 : finally
5496 : call Caught()
5497 : endtry
5498 :endfunction
5499 :
5500 :call Foo()
5501
5502This displays >
5503
5504 Nothing caught
5505 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
5506 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
5507 Nothing caught
5508
5509A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
5510number in the script or function where it has been used: >
5511
5512 :function! LineNumber()
5513 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
5514 :endfunction
5515 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
5516<
5517 *try-nested*
5518An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
5519a surrounding try conditional: >
5520
5521 :try
5522 : try
5523 : throw "foo"
5524 : catch /foobar/
5525 : echo "foobar"
5526 : finally
5527 : echo "inner finally"
5528 : endtry
5529 :catch /foo/
5530 : echo "foo"
5531 :endtry
5532
5533The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
5534clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
5535conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
5536
5537 *throw-from-catch*
5538You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
5539catch clause: >
5540
5541 :function! Foo()
5542 : throw "foo"
5543 :endfunction
5544 :
5545 :function! Bar()
5546 : try
5547 : call Foo()
5548 : catch /foo/
5549 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
5550 : throw "bar"
5551 : endtry
5552 :endfunction
5553 :
5554 :try
5555 : call Bar()
5556 :catch /.*/
5557 : echo "Caught" v:exception
5558 :endtry
5559
5560This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
5561
5562 *rethrow*
5563There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
5564"v:exception" instead: >
5565
5566 :function! Bar()
5567 : try
5568 : call Foo()
5569 : catch /.*/
5570 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
5571 : throw v:exception
5572 : endtry
5573 :endfunction
5574< *try-echoerr*
5575Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
5576exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
5577Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
5578denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
5579the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
5580
5581 :try
5582 : try
5583 : asdf
5584 : catch /.*/
5585 : echoerr v:exception
5586 : endtry
5587 :catch /.*/
5588 : echo v:exception
5589 :endtry
5590
5591This code displays
5592
5593 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
5594
5595
5596CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
5597
5598Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
5599user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
5600an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
5601a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
5602catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
5603a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
5604normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
5605(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
5606to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
5607clause has been executed.)
5608Example: >
5609
5610 :try
5611 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
5612 : set ts=17
5613 :
5614 : " Do the hard work here.
5615 :
5616 :finally
5617 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
5618 : unlet s:saved_ts
5619 :endtry
5620
5621This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
5622changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
5623that function or script part.
5624
5625 *break-finally*
5626Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
5627a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
5628 Example: >
5629
5630 :let first = 1
5631 :while 1
5632 : try
5633 : if first
5634 : echo "first"
5635 : let first = 0
5636 : continue
5637 : else
5638 : throw "second"
5639 : endif
5640 : catch /.*/
5641 : echo v:exception
5642 : break
5643 : finally
5644 : echo "cleanup"
5645 : endtry
5646 : echo "still in while"
5647 :endwhile
5648 :echo "end"
5649
5650This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
5651
5652 :function! Foo()
5653 : try
5654 : return 4711
5655 : finally
5656 : echo "cleanup\n"
5657 : endtry
5658 : echo "Foo still active"
5659 :endfunction
5660 :
5661 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
5662
5663This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
5664extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
5665return value.)
5666
5667 *except-from-finally*
5668Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
5669a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
5670cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
5671exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
5672 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
5673working correctly: >
5674
5675 :try
5676 : try
5677 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
5678 : while 1
5679 : endwhile
5680 : finally
5681 : unlet novar
5682 : endtry
5683 :catch /novar/
5684 :endtry
5685 :echo "Script still running"
5686 :sleep 1
5687
5688If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
5689think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
5690|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
5691
5692
5693CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
5694
5695If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
5696watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
5697presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
5698exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
5699the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
5700the error exception is.
5701 Error exceptions have the following format: >
5702
5703 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
5704or >
5705 Vim:{errmsg}
5706
5707{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
5708the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
5709when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
5710a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
5711a space.
5712
5713Examples:
5714
5715The command >
5716 :unlet novar
5717normally produces the error message >
5718 E108: No such variable: "novar"
5719which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5720 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
5721
5722The command >
5723 :dwim
5724normally produces the error message >
5725 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
5726which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5727 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
5728
5729You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
5730 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
5731or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
5732 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
5733
5734Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
5735 :function nofunc
5736and >
5737 :delfunction nofunc
5738both produce the error message >
5739 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5740which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5741 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5742or >
5743 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5744respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
5745command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
5746 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
5747
5748Some commands like >
5749 :let x = novar
5750produce multiple error messages, here: >
5751 E121: Undefined variable: novar
5752 E15: Invalid expression: novar
5753Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
5754one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
5755 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
5756
5757You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
5758 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
5759
5760You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
5761 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
5762
5763You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
5764 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
5765<
5766 *catch-text*
5767NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
5768 :catch /No such variable/
5769only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
5770a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
5771cite the message text in a comment: >
5772 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
5773
5774
5775IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
5776
5777You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
5778
5779 :try
5780 : write
5781 :catch
5782 :endtry
5783
5784But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
5785catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
5786be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
5787
5788 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
5789
5790There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
5791writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
5792then hide the error from the user.
5793 It is much better to use >
5794
5795 :try
5796 : write
5797 :catch /^Vim(write):/
5798 :endtry
5799
5800which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
5801intentionally.
5802
5803For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
5804even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
5805command: >
5806 :silent! nunmap k
5807This works also when a try conditional is active.
5808
5809
5810CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
5811
5812When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
5813the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
5814script is not terminated, then.
5815 Example: >
5816
5817 :function! TASK1()
5818 : sleep 10
5819 :endfunction
5820
5821 :function! TASK2()
5822 : sleep 20
5823 :endfunction
5824
5825 :while 1
5826 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
5827 : try
5828 : if command == ""
5829 : continue
5830 : elseif command == "END"
5831 : break
5832 : elseif command == "TASK1"
5833 : call TASK1()
5834 : elseif command == "TASK2"
5835 : call TASK2()
5836 : else
5837 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
5838 : continue
5839 : endif
5840 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
5841 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
5842 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
5843 : endtry
5844 :endwhile
5845
5846You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
5847a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
5848
5849For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
5850your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
5851command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
5852
5853
5854CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
5855
5856The commands >
5857
5858 :catch /.*/
5859 :catch //
5860 :catch
5861
5862catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
5863explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
5864a script in order to catch unexpected things.
5865 Example: >
5866
5867 :try
5868 :
5869 : " do the hard work here
5870 :
5871 :catch /MyException/
5872 :
5873 : " handle known problem
5874 :
5875 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
5876 : echo "Script interrupted"
5877 :catch /.*/
5878 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
5879 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
5880 :endtry
5881 :" end of script
5882
5883Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
5884strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
5885specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
5886 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
5887by pressing CTRL-C: >
5888
5889 :while 1
5890 : try
5891 : sleep 1
5892 : catch
5893 : endtry
5894 :endwhile
5895
5896
5897EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
5898
5899Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
5900
5901 :autocmd User x try
5902 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
5903 :autocmd User x catch
5904 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
5905 :autocmd User x endtry
5906 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
5907 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
5908 :
5909 :try
5910 : doautocmd User x
5911 :catch
5912 : echo v:exception
5913 :endtry
5914
5915This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
5916
5917 *except-autocmd-Pre*
5918For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
5919command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
5920of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
5921abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
5922 Example: >
5923
5924 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
5925 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
5926 :
5927 :try
5928 : write
5929 :catch
5930 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
5931 :endtry
5932
5933Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
5934you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
5935autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
5936script displays: >
5937
5938 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
5939<
5940 *except-autocmd-Post*
5941For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
5942command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
5943an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
5944is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
5945 Example: >
5946
5947 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
5948 :
5949 :try
5950 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5951 :catch
5952 : echo v:exception
5953 :endtry
5954
5955This just displays: >
5956
5957 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
5958
5959If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
5960fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
5961 Example: >
5962
5963 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
5964 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
5965 :
5966 :try
5967 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5968 :catch
5969 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5970 :endtry
5971<
5972You can also use ":silent!": >
5973
5974 :let x = "ok"
5975 :let v:errmsg = ""
5976 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
5977 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
5978 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
5979 :try
5980 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5981 :catch
5982 :endtry
5983 :echo x
5984
5985This displays "after fail".
5986
5987If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
5988autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
5989
5990 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
5991 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
5992 :
5993 :try
5994 : write
5995 :catch
5996 : echo v:exception
5997 :endtry
5998<
5999 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
6000For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
6001autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
6002of the command.
6003 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
6004had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
6005some way. >
6006
6007 :if !exists("cnt")
6008 : let cnt = 0
6009 :
6010 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
6011 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
6012 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
6013 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6014 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6015 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
6016 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
6017 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6018 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6019 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
6020 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6021 :endif
6022 :
6023 :try
6024 : write
6025 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
6026 : if &modified
6027 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
6028 : else
6029 : echo "Error after writing"
6030 : endif
6031 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6032 : echo "Error on writing"
6033 :endtry
6034
6035When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
6036first >
6037 File successfully written!
6038then >
6039 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
6040then >
6041 Error after writing
6042etc.
6043
6044 *except-autocmd-ill*
6045You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
6046The following code is ill-formed: >
6047
6048 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
6049 :
6050 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
6051 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
6052 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
6053 :
6054 :write
6055
6056
6057EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
6058
6059Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
6060pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
6061similar things in Vim.
6062 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
6063class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
6064string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
6065 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
6066it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
6067for an error when writing "myfile".
6068 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
6069base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
6070parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
6071 Example: >
6072
6073 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
6074 : if a:a < 0
6075 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
6076 : endif
6077 :endfunction
6078 :
6079 :function! Add(a, b)
6080 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
6081 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
6082 : let c = a:a + a:b
6083 : if c < 0
6084 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
6085 : endif
6086 : return c
6087 :endfunction
6088 :
6089 :function! Div(a, b)
6090 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
6091 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
6092 : if (a:b == 0)
6093 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
6094 : endif
6095 : return a:a / a:b
6096 :endfunction
6097 :
6098 :function! Write(file)
6099 : try
6100 : execute "write" a:file
6101 : catch /^Vim(write):/
6102 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
6103 : endtry
6104 :endfunction
6105 :
6106 :try
6107 :
6108 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
6109 :
6110 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
6111 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6112 : echo "Range error in" function
6113 :
6114 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
6115 : echo "Math error"
6116 :
6117 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
6118 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
6119 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6120 : if file !~ '^/'
6121 : let file = dir . "/" . file
6122 : endif
6123 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
6124 :
6125 :catch /^EXCEPT/
6126 : echo "Unspecified error"
6127 :
6128 :endtry
6129
6130The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
6131a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
6132exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
6133 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
6134failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
6135
6136
6137PECULIARITIES
6138 *except-compat*
6139The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
6140exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
6141and/or a catch clause.
6142
6143In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
6144continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
6145after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
6146functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
6147or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
6148(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
6149
6150This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
6151immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
6152conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
6153be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
6154termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
6155catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
6156by specifying a finally clause.)
6157
6158When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
6159behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
6160scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
6161
6162However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
6163commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
6164conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
6165script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
6166error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
6167messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
6168|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
6169not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
6170where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
6171error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
6172scripts.
6173
6174 *except-syntax-err*
6175Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
6176the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
6177clauses, however, is executed.
6178 Example: >
6179
6180 :try
6181 : try
6182 : throw 4711
6183 : catch /\(/
6184 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
6185 : catch
6186 : echo "inner catch-all"
6187 : finally
6188 : echo "inner finally"
6189 : endtry
6190 :catch
6191 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
6192 : finally
6193 : echo "outer finally"
6194 :endtry
6195
6196This displays: >
6197 inner finally
6198 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
6199 outer finally
6200The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
6201
6202 *except-single-line*
6203The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
6204a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
6205"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
6206 Example: >
6207 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
6208raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
6209argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
6210error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
6211displayed.
6212
6213 *except-several-errors*
6214When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
6215usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
6216 Example: >
6217 echo novar
6218causes >
6219 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6220 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6221The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6222 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
6223< *except-syntax-error*
6224But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
6225the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
6226 Example: >
6227 unlet novar #
6228causes >
6229 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6230 E488: Trailing characters
6231The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6232 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
6233This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
6234not intended by the user. Example: >
6235 try
6236 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
6237 catch /.*/
6238 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
6239 endtry
6240This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
6241a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
6242
6243==============================================================================
62449. Examples *eval-examples*
6245
6246Printing in Hex ~
6247>
6248 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
6249 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
6250 : let n = a:nr
6251 : let r = ""
6252 : while n
6253 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
6254 : let n = n / 16
6255 : endwhile
6256 : return r
6257 :endfunc
6258
6259 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
6260 :" character Hex string.
6261 :func String2Hex(str)
6262 : let out = ''
6263 : let ix = 0
6264 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
6265 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
6266 : let ix = ix + 1
6267 : endwhile
6268 : return out
6269 :endfunc
6270
6271Example of its use: >
6272 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
6273result: "20" >
6274 :echo String2Hex("32")
6275result: "3332"
6276
6277
6278Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
6279
6280Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
6281":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
6282platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
6283function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
6284with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
6285>
6286 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
6287 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
6288 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
6289 : return -1
6290 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
6291 : return 1
6292 : else
6293 : return 0
6294 : endif
6295 :endfunction
6296
6297 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
6298 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
6299 : if (a:start >= a:end)
6300 : return
6301 : endif
6302 : let partition = a:start - 1
6303 : let middle = partition
6304 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
6305 : let i = a:start
6306 : while (i <= a:end)
6307 : let str = getline(i)
6308 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
6309 : if (result <= 0)
6310 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
6311 : let partition = partition + 1
6312 : if (result == 0)
6313 : let middle = partition
6314 : endif
6315 : if (i != partition)
6316 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6317 : call setline(i, str2)
6318 : call setline(partition, str)
6319 : endif
6320 : endif
6321 : let i = i + 1
6322 : endwhile
6323
6324 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
6325 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
6326 : " the end of the partition.
6327 : if (middle != partition)
6328 : let str = getline(middle)
6329 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6330 : call setline(middle, str2)
6331 : call setline(partition, str)
6332 : endif
6333 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
6334 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
6335 :endfunc
6336
6337 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
6338 :" function that will compare two lines.
6339 :func! Sort(cmp) range
6340 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
6341 :endfunc
6342
6343 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
6344 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
6345<
6346 *sscanf*
6347There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
6348line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
6349how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
6350"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
6351 :" Set up the match bit
6352 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
6353 :"get the part matching the whole expression
6354 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
6355 :"get each item out of the match
6356 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
6357 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
6358 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
6359
6360The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
6361"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
6362
6363==============================================================================
636410. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
6365
6366When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
6367evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
6368to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
6369recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
6370and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
6371only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
6372recognized.
6373
6374Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
6375missing: >
6376
6377 :if 1
6378 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
6379 :else
6380 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
6381 :endif
6382
6383==============================================================================
638411. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
6385
6386The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
6387options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
6388these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
6389these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
6390a tags file is executed.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006391The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006392
6393These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
6394 - changing the buffer text
6395 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
6396 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
6397 - executing a shell command
6398 - reading or writing a file
6399 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006400This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
6401
6402 *:san* *:sandbox*
6403:sandbox {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
6404 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
6405 'foldexpr'.
6406
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006407
6408 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: