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Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0. Last change: 2007 Apr 24
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00003112. Textlock |textlock|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000032
33{Vi does not have any of these commands}
34
35==============================================================================
361. Variables *variables*
37
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000039 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000040There are five types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000042Number A 32 bit signed number.
43 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
44
45String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
46 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
47
48Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
49 Example: function("strlen")
50
51List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
52 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000053
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000054Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
55 value. |Dictionary|
56 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
57
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000058The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
59are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000060
61Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
62the Number. Examples: >
63 Number 123 --> String "123"
64 Number 0 --> String "0"
65 Number -1 --> String "-1"
66
67Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
68to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
69the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
70 String "456" --> Number 456
71 String "6bar" --> Number 6
72 String "foo" --> Number 0
73 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
74 String "0100" --> Number 64
75 String "-8" --> Number -8
76 String "+8" --> Number 0
77
78To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
79 :echo "0100" + 0
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +000080< 64 ~
81
82To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different
83base, use |str2nr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000084
85For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
86
87Note that in the command >
88 :if "foo"
89"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
90use strlen(): >
91 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000092< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
93List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000094
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000095 *E706*
96You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
97to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000098equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000099 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000100 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000101 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000102
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000103
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001041.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000105 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000106A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000107in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
108around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000109
110 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
111 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000112< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000113A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:", "t:" or "b:". You
114cannot have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000115
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000116A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
117Dictionary entry. Example: >
118 :function dict.init() dict
119 : let self.val = 0
120 :endfunction
121
122The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
123function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
124
125A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
126 :call Fn()
127 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000128
129The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000130 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000131
132You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
133arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000134 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000135
136
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001371.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000138 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000139A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
140can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
141position in the sequence.
142
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143
144List creation ~
145 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000146A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000147Examples: >
148 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
149 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000150
151An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000152List of Lists: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000153 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000154
155An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
156
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000157
158List index ~
159 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000160An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000161after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
162 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000163 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000164
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000165When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000166 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000167<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000168A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
169the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000170 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
171
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000172To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000173is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000174 :echo get(mylist, idx)
175 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
176
177
178List concatenation ~
179
180Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
181 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000182 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000183
184To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
185it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
186
187
188Sublist ~
189
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000190A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
191separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000192 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000193
194Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000195similar to -1.
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000196 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
197 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
198 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000199
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000200If the first index is beyond the last item of the List or the second item is
201before the first item, the result is an empty list. There is no error
202message.
203
204If the second index is equal to or greater than the length of the list the
205length minus one is used: >
Bram Moolenaar9e54a0e2006-04-14 20:42:25 +0000206 :let mylist = [0, 1, 2, 3]
207 :echo mylist[2:8] " result: [2, 3]
208
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000209NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
210using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
211mylist[s : e].
212
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000213
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000214List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000215 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000216When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
217variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
218change "bb": >
219 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
220 :let bb = aa
221 :call add(aa, 4)
222 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000223< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000224
225Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
226works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000227a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000228 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
229 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000230 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000231 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
232 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000233< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000234 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000235< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000236
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000237To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000238copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000239
240The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000241List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000242the same value. >
243 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
244 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
245 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000246< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000247 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000248< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000249
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000250Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
251same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000252exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
253different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
254variables. Example: >
255 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000256< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000257 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000258< 0
259
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000260Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
261can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a string: >
262
263 :let a = 5
264 :let b = "5"
265 echo a == b
266< 1 >
267 echo [a] == [b]
268< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000269
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000270
271List unpack ~
272
273To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
274square brackets, like list items: >
275 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
276
277When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
278this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
279and a variable name: >
280 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
281
282This works like: >
283 :let var1 = mylist[0]
284 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000285 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000286
287Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
288empty list then.
289
290
291List modification ~
292 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000293To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000294 :let list[4] = "four"
295 :let listlist[0][3] = item
296
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000297To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000298modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000299 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
300
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000301Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
302examples: >
303 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
304 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
305 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000306 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000307 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
308 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000309 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000310 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000311 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000312 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000313
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000314Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000315 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
316 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
317
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000318
319For loop ~
320
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000321The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
322to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000323 :for item in mylist
324 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000325 :endfor
326
327This works like: >
328 :let index = 0
329 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000330 : let item = mylist[index]
331 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000332 : let index = index + 1
333 :endwhile
334
335Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000336results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000337the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000338
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000339If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000340function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000341
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000342Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
343requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
344 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
345 : call Doit(lnum, col)
346 :endfor
347
348This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
349must remain the same to avoid an error.
350
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000351It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000352 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
353 : call Doit(i, j)
354 : if !empty(rest)
355 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
356 : endif
357 :endfor
358
359
360List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000361 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000362Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000363 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000364 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000365 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
366 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
367 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000368 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
369 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000370 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
371 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000372 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
373 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000374 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
375 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000376
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000377Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
378example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
379 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
380
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003821.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000383 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000384A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000385entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
386ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000387
388
389Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000390 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000391A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000392braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
393only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000394 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
395 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000396< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000397A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
398String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000399entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
400Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000401
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000402A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000403nested Dictionary: >
404 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
405
406An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
407
408
409Accessing entries ~
410
411The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
412 :let val = mydict["one"]
413 :let mydict["four"] = 4
414
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000415You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000416
417For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
418form can be used |expr-entry|: >
419 :let val = mydict.one
420 :let mydict.four = 4
421
422Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
423key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000424 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000425
426
427Dictionary to List conversion ~
428
429You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
430turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
431
432Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
433 :for key in keys(mydict)
434 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
435 :endfor
436
437The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
438 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
439
440To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
441 :for v in values(mydict)
442 : echo "value: " . v
443 :endfor
444
445If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000446a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000447 :for entry in items(mydict)
448 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
449 :endfor
450
451
452Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000453 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000454Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
455Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
456Dictionary: >
457 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
458 :let adict = onedict
459 :let adict['a'] = 11
460 :echo onedict['a']
461 11
462
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000463Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
464more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000465
466
467Dictionary modification ~
468 *dict-modification*
469To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
470use |:let| this way: >
471 :let dict[4] = "four"
472 :let dict['one'] = item
473
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000474Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
475Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
476 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
477 :unlet dict.aaa
478 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000479
480Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000481 :call extend(adict, bdict)
482This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
483in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000484Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
485expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
486adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000487
488Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +0000489 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000490This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000491
492
493Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000494 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000495When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
496special way with a dictionary. Example: >
497 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000498 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000499 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000500 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
501 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000502
503This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
504Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
505the function was invoked from.
506
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000507It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
508Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
509
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000510 *numbered-function* *anonymous-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000511To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
512assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000513 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
514 :function mydict.len() dict
515 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000516 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000517 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000518
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000519The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
520that references this function. The function can only be used through a
521|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
522remaining that refers to it.
523
524It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000525
526
527Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000528 *E715*
529Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000530 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
531 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
532 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
533 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
534 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
535 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
536 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
537 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000538
539
5401.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000541 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000542If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
543function.
544
545When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
546start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
547stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
548
549When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
550start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
551stored in the session file |session-file|.
552
553variable name can be stored where ~
554my_var_6 not
555My_Var_6 session file
556MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
557
558
559It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
560|curly-braces-names|.
561
562==============================================================================
5632. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
564
565Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
566
567|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
568
569|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
570
571|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
572
573|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
574 expr5 != expr5 not equal
575 expr5 > expr5 greater than
576 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
577 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
578 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
579 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
580 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
581
582 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
583 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
584 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
585 matching case
586
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000587 expr5 is expr5 same |List| instance
588 expr5 isnot expr5 different |List| instance
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000589
590|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000591 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
592 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
593
594|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
595 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
596 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
597
598|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
599 - expr7 unary minus
600 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000601
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000602
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000603|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a |List|
604 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a |List|
605 expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary|
606 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with |Funcref| variable
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000607
608|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000609 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000610 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000611 [expr1, ...] |List|
612 {expr1: expr1, ...} |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000613 &option option value
614 (expr1) nested expression
615 variable internal variable
616 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
617 $VAR environment variable
618 @r contents of register 'r'
619 function(expr1, ...) function call
620 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
621
622
623".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
624Example: >
625 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
626
627All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
628
629
630expr1 *expr1* *E109*
631-----
632
633expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
634
635The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
636non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
637otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
638Example: >
639 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
640
641Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
642other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
643Example: >
644 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
645
646To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
647 :echo lnum == 1
648 :\ ? "top"
649 :\ : lnum == 1000
650 :\ ? "last"
651 :\ : lnum
652
653
654expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
655---------------
656
657 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
658The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
659are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
660
661 input output ~
662n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
663zero zero zero zero
664zero non-zero non-zero zero
665non-zero zero non-zero zero
666non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
667
668The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
669
670 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
671
672Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
673
674 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
675
676Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
677arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
678
679 let a = 1
680 echo a || b
681
682This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
683so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
684
685 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
686
687This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
688only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
689
690
691expr4 *expr4*
692-----
693
694expr5 {cmp} expr5
695
696Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
697if it evaluates to true.
698
699 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
700 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
701 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
702 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
703 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
704 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000705 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000706 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
707equal == ==# ==?
708not equal != !=# !=?
709greater than > ># >?
710greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
711smaller than < <# <?
712smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
713regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
714regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000715same instance is
716different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000717
718Examples:
719"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
720"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
721"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
722
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000723 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000724A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
725"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
726Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000727
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000728 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000729A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
730equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000731recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
732
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000733 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000734A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
735equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000736
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000737When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| this checks if the expressions are
738referring to the same |List| instance. A copy of a |List| is different from
739the original |List|. When using "is" without a |List| it is equivalent to
740using "equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000741different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
742is false.
743
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000744When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
745and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
746because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
747
748When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
749results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
750necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
751
752When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
753'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
754
755When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
756'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
757
758The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
759argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
760This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
761matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
762portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
763single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
764Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
765(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
766can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
767 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
768 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
769
770
771expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
772---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000773expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000774expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
775expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000776
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +0000777For |Lists| only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000778result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000779
780expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
781expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
782expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000783
784For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
785
786Note the difference between "+" and ".":
787 "123" + "456" = 579
788 "123" . "456" = "123456"
789
790When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
791When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
792
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000793None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000794
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000795
796expr7 *expr7*
797-----
798! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
799- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
800+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
801
802For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
803For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
804For '+' the number is unchanged.
805
806A String will be converted to a Number first.
807
808These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
809 !-1 == 0
810 !!8 == 1
811 --9 == 9
812
813
814expr8 *expr8*
815-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000816expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000817
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000818If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
819expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000820Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000821
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000822Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
823text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
824cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000825 :let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000826
827If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000828String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
829compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
830
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000831If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000832for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
833error. Example: >
834 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
835
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000836Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
837|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
838error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000839
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000840
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000841expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000842
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000843If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
844from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000845expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
846encodings.
847
848If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
849string minus one is used.
850
851A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
852the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
853
854If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
855expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
856
857Examples: >
858 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
859 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
860 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
861 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
862
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000863If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
864the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
865just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000866 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
867 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
868 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
869
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000870Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
871error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000872
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000873
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000874expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000875
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000876If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
877name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
878expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000879
880The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
881but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
882
883There must not be white space before or after the dot.
884
885Examples: >
886 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
887 :echo dict.one
888 :echo dict .2
889
890Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
891always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
892
893
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000894expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000895
896When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
897
898
899
900 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000901number
902------
903number number constant *expr-number*
904
905Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
906
907
908string *expr-string* *E114*
909------
910"string" string constant *expr-quote*
911
912Note that double quotes are used.
913
914A string constant accepts these special characters:
915\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
916\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
917\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
918\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
919\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
920\X.. same as \x..
921\X. same as \x.
922\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
923 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
924\U.... same as \u....
925\b backspace <BS>
926\e escape <Esc>
927\f formfeed <FF>
928\n newline <NL>
929\r return <CR>
930\t tab <Tab>
931\\ backslash
932\" double quote
933\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
934
935Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
936
937
938literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
939---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000940'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000941
942Note that single quotes are used.
943
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000944This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000945meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000946
947Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
948to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
949 if a =~ "\\s*"
950 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000951
952
953option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
954------
955&option option value, local value if possible
956&g:option global option value
957&l:option local option value
958
959Examples: >
960 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
961 if &insertmode
962
963Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
964and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
965anyway.
966
967
968register *expr-register*
969--------
970@r contents of register 'r'
971
972The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
973Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +0000974register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
975registers.
976
977When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
978evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000979
980
981nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
982-------
983(expr1) nested expression
984
985
986environment variable *expr-env*
987--------------------
988$VAR environment variable
989
990The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
991result is an empty string.
992 *expr-env-expand*
993Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
994expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
995are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
996the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
997fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
998does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
999 :echo $version
1000 :echo expand("$version")
1001The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
1002variable (if your shell supports it).
1003
1004
1005internal variable *expr-variable*
1006-----------------
1007variable internal variable
1008See below |internal-variables|.
1009
1010
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001011function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001012-------------
1013function(expr1, ...) function call
1014See below |functions|.
1015
1016
1017==============================================================================
10183. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1019 *E461*
1020An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1021cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1022|curly-braces-names|.
1023
1024An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001025An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1026|:unlet|.
1027Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1028been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001029
1030There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1031specified by what is prepended:
1032
1033 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1034|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1035|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001036|tabpage-variable| t: Local to the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001037|global-variable| g: Global.
1038|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1039|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1040|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1041|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1042
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001043The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1044delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001045 :for k in keys(s:)
1046 : unlet s:[k]
1047 :endfor
1048<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001049 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1050A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1051Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1052This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1053|:bdelete|.
1054
1055One local buffer variable is predefined:
1056 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1057b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1058 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1059 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1060 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1061 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1062 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1063 : call My_Update()
1064 :endif
1065<
1066 *window-variable* *w:var*
1067A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1068is deleted when the window is closed.
1069
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001070 *tabpage-variable* *t:var*
1071A variable name that is preceded with "t:" is local to the current tab page,
1072It is deleted when the tab page is closed. {not available when compiled
1073without the +windows feature}
1074
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001075 *global-variable* *g:var*
1076Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1077access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1078place if you like.
1079
1080 *local-variable* *l:var*
1081Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1082But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1083
1084 *script-variable* *s:var*
1085In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1086accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1087
1088They can be used in:
1089- commands executed while the script is sourced
1090- functions defined in the script
1091- autocommands defined in the script
1092- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1093 defined in the script (recursively)
1094- user defined commands defined in the script
1095Thus not in:
1096- other scripts sourced from this one
1097- mappings
1098- etc.
1099
1100script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1101Take this example:
1102
1103 let s:counter = 0
1104 function MyCounter()
1105 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1106 echo s:counter
1107 endfunction
1108 command Tick call MyCounter()
1109
1110You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1111that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1112"Tick" was defined is used.
1113
1114Another example that does the same: >
1115
1116 let s:counter = 0
1117 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1118
1119When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001120script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001121defined.
1122
1123The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1124function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1125
1126 let s:counter = 0
1127 function StartCounting(incr)
1128 if a:incr
1129 function MyCounter()
1130 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1131 endfunction
1132 else
1133 function MyCounter()
1134 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1135 endfunction
1136 endif
1137 endfunction
1138
1139This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1140when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1141called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1142
1143When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1144They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1145maintain a counter: >
1146
1147 if !exists("s:counter")
1148 let s:counter = 1
1149 echo "script executed for the first time"
1150 else
1151 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1152 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1153 endif
1154
1155Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1156variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1157
1158
1159Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1160
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001161 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1162v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1163 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1164 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1165
1166 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1167v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1168 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1169
1170 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1171v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1172 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1173
1174 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001175v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1176 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1177 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1178 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001179 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1180 highlighted text is used.
1181 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1182
1183 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1184v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1185 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1186
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001187 *v:char* *char-variable*
1188v:char Argument for evaluating 'formatexpr'.
1189
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001190 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1191v:charconvert_from
1192 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1193 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1194
1195 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1196v:charconvert_to
1197 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1198 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1199
1200 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1201v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1202 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1203 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1204 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1205 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1206 possible to append this variable directly after the
1207 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1208 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1209 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1210 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1211 in 'printexpr'.
1212
1213 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1214v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1215 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1216 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1217 can be used.
1218
1219 *v:count* *count-variable*
1220v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1221 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1222 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1223< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1224 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001225 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001226 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1227
1228 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1229v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1230 used.
1231
1232 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1233v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1234 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1235 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1236 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1237 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1238 command.
1239 See |multi-lang|.
1240
1241 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1242v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1243 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1244 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1245 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1246 Example: >
1247 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1248<
1249 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1250v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1251 Example: >
1252 :let v:errmsg = ""
1253 :silent! next
1254 :if v:errmsg != ""
1255 : ... handle error
1256< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1257
1258 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1259v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1260 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1261 Example: >
1262 :try
1263 : throw "oops"
1264 :catch /.*/
1265 : echo "caught" v:exception
1266 :endtry
1267< Output: "caught oops".
1268
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001269 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1270v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1271 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1272 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1273 deleted file no longer exists
1274 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1275 changed and buffer is modified
1276 changed file contents has changed
1277 mode mode of file changed
1278 time only file timestamp changed
1279
1280 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1281v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1282 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1283 do with the affected buffer:
1284 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1285 the file was deleted).
1286 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1287 was no autocommand. Except that when
1288 only the timestamp changed nothing
1289 will happen.
1290 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1291 everything that needs to be done.
1292 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1293 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1294
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001295 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001296v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001297 option used for ~
1298 'charconvert' file to be converted
1299 'diffexpr' original file
1300 'patchexpr' original file
1301 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001302 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001303
1304 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1305v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1306 evaluating:
1307 option used for ~
1308 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1309 'diffexpr' output of diff
1310 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1311 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1312 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1313 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1314 file and different from v:fname_in.
1315
1316 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1317v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1318 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1319
1320 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1321v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1322 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1323
1324 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1325v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1326 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001327 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001328
1329 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1330v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001331 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001332
1333 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1334v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001335 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001336
1337 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1338v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001339 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001340
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001341 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1342v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1343 events. Values:
1344 i Insert mode
1345 r Replace mode
1346 v Virtual Replace mode
1347
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001348 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001349v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001350 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1351 Read-only.
1352
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001353 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1354v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1355 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1356 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1357 The value is system dependent.
1358 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1359 command.
1360 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1361 in a different language than what is used for character
1362 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1363
1364 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1365v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1366 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1367 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1368 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1369 command. See |multi-lang|.
1370
1371 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001372v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
Bram Moolenaar57657d82006-04-21 22:12:41 +00001373 expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel' and
1374 'guitabtooltip'. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1375 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001376
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00001377 *v:mouse_win* *mouse_win-variable*
1378v:mouse_win Window number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1379 First window has number 1, like with |winnr()|. The value is
1380 zero when there was no mouse button click.
1381
1382 *v:mouse_lnum* *mouse_lnum-variable*
1383v:mouse_lnum Line number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1384 This is the text line number, not the screen line number. The
1385 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1386
1387 *v:mouse_col* *mouse_col-variable*
1388v:mouse_col Column number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1389 This is the screen column number, like with |virtcol()|. The
1390 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1391
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001392 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1393v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1394 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1395 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1396 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1397< Read-only.
1398
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001399 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1400v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1401 See |profiling|.
1402
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001403 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1404v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1405 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1406 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1407 Read-only.
1408
1409 *v:register* *register-variable*
1410v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1411 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1412
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001413 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1414v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1415 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1416 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1417 typed command.
1418 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1419 hit-enter prompt.
1420
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001421 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1422v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1423 Read-only.
1424
1425 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1426v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1427 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1428 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1429 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1430 executed. Read-only.
1431 Example: >
1432 :!mv foo bar
1433 :if v:shell_error
1434 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1435 :endif
1436< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1437
1438 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1439v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1440
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001441 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1442v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1443 the swap file found. Read-only.
1444
1445 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1446v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1447 for handling an existing swap file:
1448 'o' Open read-only
1449 'e' Edit anyway
1450 'r' Recover
1451 'd' Delete swapfile
1452 'q' Quit
1453 'a' Abort
1454 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
1455 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1456 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1457
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001458 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001459v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001460 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
1461 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
1462 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001463 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001464
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001465 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1466v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1467 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1468 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1469 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1470 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1471 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1472 terminal.
1473 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1474 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1475 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1476 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1477 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1478
1479 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1480v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1481 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1482 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1483 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1484
1485 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1486v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1487 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1488 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1489 Example: >
1490 :try
1491 : throw "oops"
1492 :catch /.*/
1493 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1494 :endtry
1495< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1496
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001497 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001498v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
1499 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001500 |filter()|. Read-only.
1501
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001502 *v:version* *version-variable*
1503v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1504 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1505 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1506 compatibility.
1507 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1508 if has("patch123")
1509< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1510 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1511 completely different.
1512
1513 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1514v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1515
1516==============================================================================
15174. Builtin Functions *functions*
1518
1519See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1520
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001521(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001522
1523USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1524
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001525add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001526append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001527append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001528argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001529argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001530argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001531argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001532browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1533 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001534browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001535bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001536buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1537bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001538bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1539bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1540bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1541byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001542byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001543call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1544 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001545changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001546char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001547cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001548col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00001549complete({startcol}, {matches}) String set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001550complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
1551complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001552confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1553 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001554copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001555count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1556 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001557cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1558 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001559cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {coladd}])
1560 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {coladd}
1561cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001562deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001563delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1564did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001565diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1566diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001567empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001568escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001569eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001570eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001571executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1572exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001573extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
1574 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001575expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00001576feedkeys( {string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001577filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001578filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001579filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1580 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001581finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001582 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001583findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001584 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001585fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001586foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1587foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001588foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001589foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001590foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001591foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001592function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001593garbagecollect() none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001594get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001595get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001596getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1597 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001598getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001599getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1600getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001601getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1602getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001603getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001604getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001605getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1606getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001607getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001608getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001609getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001610getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1611getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001612getloclist({nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001613getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001614getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001615getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001616getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001617gettabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {name})
1618 any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001619getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1620getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001621getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001622glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1623globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1624has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001625has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00001626haslocaldir() Number TRUE if current window executed |:lcd|
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001627hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1628 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001629histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1630histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1631histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1632histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1633hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1634hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1635hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001636iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1637indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001638index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1639 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001640input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1641 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001642inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001643inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001644inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1645inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001646inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001647insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001648isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001649islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001650items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001651join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001652keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001653len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1654libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001655libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1656line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1657line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001658lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001659localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001660map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001661maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1662 String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1663mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1664 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001665match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001666 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001667matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001668matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001669 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001670matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1671 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001672matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1673 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001674max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1675min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001676mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1677 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001678mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001679nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1680nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001681pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001682prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00001683printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001684pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001685range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1686 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001687readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1688 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00001689reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
1690reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001691remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1692 String send expression
1693remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1694remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1695 Number check for reply string
1696remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1697remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1698 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001699remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001700remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001701rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1702repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1703resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001704reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001705search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001706searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
1707 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001708searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001709 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001710searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001711 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001712searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001713 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001714server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1715 Number send reply string
1716serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1717setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1718setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1719setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001720setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1721 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001722setpos( {expr}, {list}) none set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001723setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001724setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001725settabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window
1726 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001727setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00001728shellescape( {string}) String escape {string} for use as shell
1729 command argument
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001730simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001731sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001732soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001733spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001734spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1735 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001736split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001737 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001738str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert string to number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001739strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001740stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1741 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001742string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001743strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1744strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1745 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001746strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1747 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001748strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001749submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001750substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1751 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001752synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001753synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1754 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1755synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001756system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001757tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1758tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1759tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1760 Number number of current window in tab page
1761taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00001762tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001763tempname() String name for a temporary file
1764tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1765toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001766tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1767 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001768type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001769values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001770virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1771visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1772winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1773wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1774winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1775winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001776winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001777winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00001778winrestview({dict}) None restore view of current window
1779winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001780winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001781writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1782 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001783
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001784add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001785 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
1786 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001787 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1788 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001789< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001790 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001791 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001792
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001793
1794append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001795 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
1796 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001797 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1798 the current buffer.
1799 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001800 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1801 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001802 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001803 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001804<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001805 *argc()*
1806argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1807 current window. See |arglist|.
1808
1809 *argidx()*
1810argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1811 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1812
1813 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001814argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001815 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1816 Example: >
1817 :let i = 0
1818 :while i < argc()
1819 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1820 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1821 : let i = i + 1
1822 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001823< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
1824 returned.
1825
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001826 *browse()*
1827browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1828 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1829 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1830 The input fields are:
1831 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1832 {title} title for the requester
1833 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1834 {default} default file name
1835 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1836 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1837
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001838 *browsedir()*
1839browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1840 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1841 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1842 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1843 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1844 to be used.
1845 The input fields are:
1846 {title} title for the requester
1847 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1848 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1849 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1850
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001851bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1852 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1853 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001854 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001855 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001856 exactly. The name can be:
1857 - Relative to the current directory.
1858 - A full path.
1859 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1860 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001861 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1862 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1863 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1864 long name to be able to find them.
1865 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1866 file name.
1867 *buffer_exists()*
1868 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1869
1870buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1871 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1872 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001873 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001874
1875bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1876 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1877 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001878 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001879
1880bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1881 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1882 ":ls" command.
1883 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1884 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1885 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1886 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1887 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1888 match an empty string is returned.
1889 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1890 alternate buffer.
1891 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1892 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1893 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1894 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1895 buffers are searched for.
1896 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1897 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1898 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1899< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1900 string is returned. >
1901 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1902 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1903 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1904 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1905< *buffer_name()*
1906 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1907
1908 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001909bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
1910 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001911 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001912 above.
1913 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
1914 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
1915 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001916 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1917 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1918< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1919 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1920 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1921 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1922 *buffer_number()*
1923 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1924 *last_buffer_nr()*
1925 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1926
1927bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1928 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1929 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1930 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1931 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1932
1933 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1934
1935< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1936 |:wincmd|.
1937
1938
1939byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1940 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1941 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1942 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1943 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1944 one.
1945 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1946 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1947 feature}
1948
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001949byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1950 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1951 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1952 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1953 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1954 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1955 Example : >
1956 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1957< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1958 same: >
1959 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1960 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1961< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1962 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1963 is returned.
1964
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001965call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001966 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001967 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001968 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001969 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1970 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001971 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1972 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001973
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001974changenr() *changenr()*
1975 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
1976 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
1977 with the |:undo| command.
1978 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
1979 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
1980 one less than the number of the undone change.
1981
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001982char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1983 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1984 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1985 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1986< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00001987 char2nr("?") returns 225
1988 char2nr("?"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001989< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001990
1991cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1992 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1993 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1994 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1995 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1996 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1997 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00001998 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001999
2000 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00002001col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002002 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2003 . the cursor position
2004 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
2005 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
2006 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2007 returned)
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002008 To get the line number use |col()|. To get both use
2009 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002010 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
2011 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2012 Examples: >
2013 col(".") column of cursor
2014 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
2015 col("'t") column of mark t
2016 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
2017< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
2018 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
2019 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
2020 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
2021 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
2022 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
2023 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
2024 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
2025<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002026
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002027complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
2028 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2029 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
2030 with an expression argument |:map-<expr>| or CTRL-R =
2031 |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O.
2032 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2033 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2034 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2035 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2036 match.
2037 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2038 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2039 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
2040 inserting anything that would completion to stop.
2041 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2042 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2043 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2044 Example: >
2045 inoremap <expr> <F5> ListMonths()
2046
2047 func! ListMonths()
2048 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2049 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2050 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2051 return ''
2052 endfunc
2053< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2054 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2055
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002056complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2057 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2058 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2059 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2060 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2061 the list.
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002062 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
2063 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002064
2065complete_check() *complete_check()*
2066 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2067 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2068 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2069 zero otherwise.
2070 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2071 'completefunc' option.
2072
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002073 *confirm()*
2074confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2075 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2076 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2077 choice this is 1.
2078 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2079 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
2080 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2081 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2082 used (and translated).
2083 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2084 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
2085 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2086 by '\n', e.g. >
2087 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2088< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2089 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2090 not need to be the first letter: >
2091 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2092< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2093 the default shortcut key.
2094 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2095 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2096 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2097 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
2098 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
2099 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
2100 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
2101 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
2102 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2103 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2104 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2105
2106 An example: >
2107 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2108 :if choice == 0
2109 : echo "make up your mind!"
2110 :elseif choice == 3
2111 : echo "tasteful"
2112 :else
2113 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2114 :endif
2115< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2116 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
2117 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
2118 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2119 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2120 the horizontal layout is always used.
2121
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002122 *copy()*
2123copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2124 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002125 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2126 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002127 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002128 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002129 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002130
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002131count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002132 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002133 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002134 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002135 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002136 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2137
2138
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002139 *cscope_connection()*
2140cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2141 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2142 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2143 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2144 if there are no cscope connections;
2145 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2146
2147 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2148 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2149
2150 {num} Description of existence check
2151 ----- ------------------------------
2152 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2153 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2154 {dbpath}.
2155 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2156 {dbpath}.
2157 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2158 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2159 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2160 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2161
2162 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2163
2164 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2165
2166 # pid database name prepend path
2167 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2168<
2169 Invocation Return Val ~
2170 ---------- ---------- >
2171 cscope_connection() 1
2172 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2173 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2174 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2175 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2176 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2177 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2178 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2179<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002180cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2181cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002182 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002183 The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002184 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002185 with two or three items {lnum}, {col} and {off}. This is like
2186 the return value of |getpos()|, but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002187 Does not change the jumplist.
2188 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2189 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2190 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002191 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002192 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2193 line.
2194 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002195 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2196 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
2197 position within a Tab or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002198
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002199
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002200deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002201 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2202 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002203 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2204 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
2205 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002206 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002207 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2208 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2209 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2210 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2211 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2212 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002213 *E724*
2214 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002215 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2216 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002217 Also see |copy()|.
2218
2219delete({fname}) *delete()*
2220 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002221 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2222 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002223 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002224
2225 *did_filetype()*
2226did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2227 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2228 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2229 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2230 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2231 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2232 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2233 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2234 file.
2235
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002236diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2237 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2238 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2239 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2240 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2241 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2242 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2243 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2244
2245diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2246 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2247 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2248 diff change zero is returned.
2249 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2250 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2251 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2252 line.
2253 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2254 syntax information about the highlighting.
2255
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002256empty({expr}) *empty()*
2257 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002258 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
2259 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2260 For a long |List| this is much faster then comparing the
2261 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002262
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002263escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2264 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2265 backslash. Example: >
2266 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2267< results in: >
2268 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002269
2270< *eval()*
2271eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2272 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2273 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002274 Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002275
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002276eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2277 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2278 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2279 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2280 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2281
2282executable({expr}) *executable()*
2283 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2284 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002285 arguments.
2286 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2287 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2288 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2289 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2290 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2291 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2292 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2293 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2294 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2295 extension.
2296 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2297 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002298 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2299 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2300 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002301 The result is a Number:
2302 1 exists
2303 0 does not exist
2304 -1 not implemented on this system
2305
2306 *exists()*
2307exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2308 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2309 which contains one of these:
2310 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2311 not if it really works)
2312 +option-name Vim option that works.
2313 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2314 done by comparing with an empty
2315 string)
2316 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2317 or user defined function (see
2318 |user-functions|).
2319 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002320 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002321 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2322 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
2323 that this may cause functions to be
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002324 invoked cause an error message for an
2325 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002326 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2327 command or command modifier |:command|.
2328 Returns:
2329 1 for match with start of a command
2330 2 full match with a command
2331 3 matches several user commands
2332 To check for a supported command
2333 always check the return value to be 2.
Bram Moolenaar14716812006-05-04 21:54:08 +00002334 :2match The |:2match| command.
2335 :3match The |:3match| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002336 #event autocommand defined for this event
2337 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2338 pattern (the pattern is taken
2339 literally and compared to the
2340 autocommand patterns character by
2341 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002342 #group autocommand group exists
2343 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2344 event.
2345 #group#event#pattern
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002346 autocommand defined for this group,
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002347 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002348 ##event autocommand for this event is
2349 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002350 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2351
2352 Examples: >
2353 exists("&shortname")
2354 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2355 exists("*strftime")
2356 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2357 exists("bufcount")
2358 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002359 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002360 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002361 exists("#filetypeindent")
2362 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2363 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002364 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002365< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2366 name.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002367 There must be no extra characters after the name, although in
2368 a few cases this is ignored. That may become more strict in
2369 the future, thus don't count on it!
2370 Working example: >
2371 exists(":make")
2372< NOT working example: >
2373 exists(":make install")
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00002374
2375< Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2376 variable itself. For example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002377 exists(bufcount)
2378< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00002379 but gets the value of "bufcount", and checks if that exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002380
2381expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2382 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2383 The result is a String.
2384
2385 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2386 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2387 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2388
2389 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2390 for a non-existing file is not included.
2391
2392 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2393 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2394 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2395
2396 % current file name
2397 # alternate file name
2398 #n alternate file name n
2399 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2400 <afile> autocmd file name
2401 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2402 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2403 <sfile> sourced script file name
2404 <cword> word under the cursor
2405 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2406 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2407 message |server2client()|
2408 Modifiers:
2409 :p expand to full path
2410 :h head (last path component removed)
2411 :t tail (last path component only)
2412 :r root (one extension removed)
2413 :e extension only
2414
2415 Example: >
2416 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2417< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2418 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2419 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2420< Use this: >
2421 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2422< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2423 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2424 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2425 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2426 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2427<
2428 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2429 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2430 to modify normal file names.
2431
2432 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2433 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2434 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2435 '/' added.
2436
2437 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2438 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2439 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2440 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002441 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2442 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2443 files in the current directory and below: >
2444 :echo expand("**/README")
2445<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002446 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2447 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2448 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2449 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2450 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2451 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2452 "$FOOBAR".
2453
2454 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2455 getting the raw output of an external command.
2456
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002457extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002458 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
2459 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002460
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002461 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002462 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2463 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2464 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2465 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002466 Examples: >
2467 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2468 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002469< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2470 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002471 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002472<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002473 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002474 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2475 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2476 used to decide what to do:
2477 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2478 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002479 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002480 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2481
2482 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2483 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2484 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2485 Returns {expr1}.
2486
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002487
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002488feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) *feedkeys()*
2489 Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00002490 come from a mapping or were typed by user. They are added to
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002491 the end of the typeahead buffer, thus if a mapping is still
2492 being executed these characters come after them.
2493 The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
2494 {string}.
2495 To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
2496 and "\..." notation |expr-quote|. For example,
2497 feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the Enter key. But
2498 feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
2499 If {mode} is absent, keys are remapped.
2500 {mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00002501 'm' Remap keys. This is default.
2502 'n' Do not remap keys.
2503 't' Handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
2504 if coming from a mapping. This matters for undo,
2505 opening folds, etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002506 Return value is always 0.
2507
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002508filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2509 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2510 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2511 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2512 expression, which is used as a String.
2513 *file_readable()*
2514 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2515
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002516
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002517filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002518 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002519 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002520 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002521 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002522 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002523 Examples: >
2524 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2525< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2526 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2527< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2528 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002529< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002530
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002531 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2532 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2533 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2534
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002535 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2536 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002537 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002538
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002539< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002540 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2541 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002542
2543
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002544finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar5b6b1ca2007-03-27 08:19:43 +00002545 Find directory {name} in {path}. Supports both downwards and
2546 upwards recursive directory searches. See |file-searching|
2547 for the syntax of {path}.
2548 Returns the path of the first found match. When the found
2549 directory is below the current directory a relative path is
2550 returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002551 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2552 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002553 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00002554 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002555 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002556 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2557
2558findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2559 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002560 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
2561 Example: >
2562 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2563< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2564 the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002565
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002566filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2567 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2568 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2569 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2570 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2571
2572fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2573 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2574 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2575 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2576 Example: >
2577 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2578< results in: >
2579 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2580< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2581 |expand()| first then.
2582
2583foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2584 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2585 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2586 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2587
2588foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2589 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2590 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2591 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2592
2593foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2594 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2595 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2596 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2597 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2598 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2599 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2600 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2601 previous line is usually available.
2602
2603 *foldtext()*
2604foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2605 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2606 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2607 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2608 The returned string looks like this: >
2609 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2610< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2611 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2612 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2613 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2614 options is removed.
2615 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2616
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002617foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2618 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2619 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2620 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2621 returned.
2622 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2623 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2624 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2625 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2626
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002627 *foreground()*
2628foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2629 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2630 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2631 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2632 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2633 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2634 Win32 console version}
2635
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002636
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002637function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002638 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002639 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2640
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002641
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002642garbagecollect() *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002643 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002644 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2645 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2646 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2647 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2648 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002649 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
2650 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
2651 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002652
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002653get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002654 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002655 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2656 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002657get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002658 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002659 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2660 {default} is omitted.
2661
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002662 *getbufline()*
2663getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002664 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2665 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
2666 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002667
2668 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2669
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002670 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2671 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002672
2673 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002674 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002675
2676 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2677 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002678 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002679 returned.
2680
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002681 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002682 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002683
2684 Example: >
2685 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002686
2687getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2688 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2689 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2690 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002691 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2692 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2693 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002694 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2695 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2696 returned, there is no error message.
2697 Examples: >
2698 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2699 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2700<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002701getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002702 Get a single character from the user or input stream.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002703 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2704 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002705 Return zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002706 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002707 not consumed. Return zero if no character available.
2708
2709 Without {expr} and when {expr} is 0 a whole character or
2710 special key is returned. If it is an 8-bit character, the
2711 result is a number. Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2712 Otherwise a String is returned with the encoded character.
2713 For a special key it's a sequence of bytes starting with 0x80
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00002714 (decimal: 128). This is the same value as the string
2715 "\<Key>", e.g., "\<Left>". The returned value is also a
2716 String when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used that is
2717 not included in the character.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002718
2719 When {expr} is 1 only the first byte is returned. For a
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00002720 one-byte character it is the character itself as a number.
2721 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002722
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00002723 When the user clicks a mouse button, the mouse event will be
2724 returned. The position can then be found in |v:mouse_col|,
2725 |v:mouse_lnum| and |v:mouse_win|. This example positions the
2726 mouse as it would normally happen: >
2727 let c = getchar()
2728 if c == "\<LeftMouse>" && v:mouse_win > 0
2729 exe v:mouse_win . "wincmd w"
2730 exe v:mouse_lnum
2731 exe "normal " . v:mouse_col . "|"
2732 endif
2733<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002734 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2735 user that a character has to be typed.
2736 There is no mapping for the character.
2737 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2738 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2739 sequence. Examples: >
2740 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2741 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2742< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2743 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2744 :function FindChar()
2745 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2746 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2747 : normal l
2748 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2749 : break
2750 : endif
2751 : endwhile
2752 :endfunction
2753
2754getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2755 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2756 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2757 These values are added together:
2758 2 shift
2759 4 control
2760 8 alt (meta)
2761 16 mouse double click
2762 32 mouse triple click
2763 64 mouse quadruple click
2764 128 Macintosh only: command
2765 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2766 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2767 with no modifier.
2768
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002769getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2770 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2771 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2772 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2773 Example: >
2774 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002775< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002776
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002777getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002778 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2779 byte count. The first column is 1.
2780 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2781 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002782 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2783
2784getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
2785 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
2786 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00002787 : normal Ex command
2788 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
2789 / forward search command
2790 ? backward search command
2791 @ |input()| command
2792 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002793 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2794 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
2795 otherwise.
2796 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002797
2798 *getcwd()*
2799getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2800 working directory.
2801
2802getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2803 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2804 given file {fname}.
2805 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2806 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2807
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002808getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2809 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2810 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2811 |hl-Normal|.
2812 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2813 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2814 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2815 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00002816 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002817 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2818 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002819 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2820 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002821
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002822getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2823 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2824 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2825 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2826 empty string is returned.
2827 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2828 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2829 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2830 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2831 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2832 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2833< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2834 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002835
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002836getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2837 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2838 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2839 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2840 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2841 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2842
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002843getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2844 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2845 file of the given file {fname}.
2846 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2847 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2848 results:
2849 Normal file "file"
2850 Directory "dir"
2851 Symbolic link "link"
2852 Block device "bdev"
2853 Character device "cdev"
2854 Socket "socket"
2855 FIFO "fifo"
2856 All other "other"
2857 Example: >
2858 getftype("/home")
2859< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2860 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2861 "file" are returned.
2862
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002863 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002864getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2865 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2866 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002867 getline(1)
2868< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2869 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2870 To get the line under the cursor: >
2871 getline(".")
2872< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2873 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2874
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002875 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
2876 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002877 including line {end}.
2878 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2879 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002880 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002881 Example: >
2882 :let start = line('.')
2883 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2884 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2885
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00002886getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
2887 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
2888 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
2889 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002890 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
2891 returned. Otherwise, same as getqflist().
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002892
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002893getqflist() *getqflist()*
2894 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2895 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2896 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2897 bufname() to get the name
2898 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2899 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002900 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2901 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002902 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00002903 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002904 text description of the error
2905 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2906 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2907
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002908 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00002909 returned. Quickfix list entries with non-existing buffer
2910 number are returned with "bufnr" set to zero.
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002911
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002912 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2913 do something with them: >
2914 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2915 :for d in getqflist()
2916 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2917 :endfor
2918
2919
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002920getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002921 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002922 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002923 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2924< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002925 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002926 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2927 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2928 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002929 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2930
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002931
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002932getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2933 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2934 The value will be one of:
2935 "v" for |characterwise| text
2936 "V" for |linewise| text
2937 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2938 0 for an empty or unknown register
2939 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2940 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2941
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00002942gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}) *gettabwinvar()*
2943 Get the value of an option or local window variable {varname}
2944 in window {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
2945 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
2946 use |getwinvar()|.
2947 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
2948 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
2949 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
2950 or buffer-local variable.
2951 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2952 Examples: >
2953 :let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
2954 :echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
2955
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002956 *getwinposx()*
2957getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2958 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2959 -1 if the information is not available.
2960
2961 *getwinposy()*
2962getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2963 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2964 information is not available.
2965
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00002966getwinvar({winnr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2967 Like |gettabwinvar()| for the current tabpage.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002968 Examples: >
2969 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2970 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2971<
2972 *glob()*
2973glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2974 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2975 characters.
2976 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2977 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2978
2979 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2980 any external command. Example: >
2981 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2982 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2983< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2984 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2985
2986 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2987 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2988
2989globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2990 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2991 the results. Example: >
2992 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2993< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2994 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2995 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2996 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2997 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2998 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2999 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
3000 error message.
3001 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
3002 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
3003
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003004 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
3005 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
3006 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
3007 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
3008<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003009 *has()*
3010has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
3011 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
3012 string. See |feature-list| below.
3013 Also see |exists()|.
3014
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003015
3016has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003017 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
3018 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003019
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00003020haslocaldir() *haslocaldir()*
3021 The result is a Number, which is 1 when the current
3022 window has set a local path via |:lcd|, and 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003023
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003024hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003025 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
3026 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
3027 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
3028 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003029 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00003030 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
3031 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003032 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
3033 buffer are checked for a match.
3034 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
3035 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
3036 n Normal mode
3037 v Visual mode
3038 o Operator-pending mode
3039 i Insert mode
3040 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
3041 c Command-line mode
3042 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
3043
3044 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
3045 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
3046 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
3047 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
3048 :endif
3049< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
3050 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
3051
3052histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
3053 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
3054 one of: *hist-names*
3055 "cmd" or ":" command line history
3056 "search" or "/" search pattern history
3057 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
3058 "input" or "@" input line history
3059 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
3060 shifted to become the newest entry.
3061 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
3062 otherwise 0 is returned.
3063
3064 Example: >
3065 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
3066 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
3067< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3068
3069histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003070 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003071 for the possible values of {history}.
3072
3073 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
3074 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
3075 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
3076 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
3077 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
3078 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
3079 if it exists.
3080
3081 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
3082 otherwise 0 is returned.
3083
3084 Examples:
3085 Clear expression register history: >
3086 :call histdel("expr")
3087<
3088 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
3089 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
3090<
3091 The following three are equivalent: >
3092 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
3093 :call histdel("search", -1)
3094 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
3095<
3096 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
3097 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
3098 :call histdel("search", -1)
3099 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
3100
3101histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
3102 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
3103 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
3104 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
3105 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
3106 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
3107
3108 Examples:
3109 Redo the second last search from history. >
3110 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
3111
3112< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
3113 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
3114 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
3115<
3116histnr({history}) *histnr()*
3117 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
3118 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
3119 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
3120
3121 Example: >
3122 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
3123<
3124hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
3125 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
3126 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
3127 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
3128 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
3129 item.
3130 *highlight_exists()*
3131 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
3132
3133 *hlID()*
3134hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
3135 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
3136 zero is returned.
3137 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
3138 group. For example, to get the background color of the
3139 "Comment" group: >
3140 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
3141< *highlightID()*
3142 Obsolete name: highlightID().
3143
3144hostname() *hostname()*
3145 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003146 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003147 256 characters long are truncated.
3148
3149iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
3150 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
3151 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
3152 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
3153 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
3154 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
3155 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
3156 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
3157 can be done.
3158 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
3159 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
3160 UTF-8 and use: >
3161 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
3162< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
3163 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
3164 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
3165 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
3166
3167 *indent()*
3168indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
3169 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
3170 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
3171 |getline()|.
3172 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
3173
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003174
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003175index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003176 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003177 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003178 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
3179 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003180 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
3181 case must match.
3182 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
3183 Example: >
3184 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003185 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003186
3187
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003188input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003189 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
3190 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
3191 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003192 prompt to start a new line.
3193 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3194 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
3195 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
3196 for lines typed for input().
3197 Example: >
3198 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3199 : echo "Cheers!"
3200 :endif
3201<
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003202 If the optional {text} is present and not empty, this is used
3203 for the default reply, as if the user typed this. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003204 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3205
3206< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3207 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
3208 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
3209 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
3210 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
3211 more information. Example: >
3212 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3213<
3214 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3215 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003216 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3217 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3218 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3219 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3220 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3221 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3222 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3223
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003224 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003225 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3226 :function GetFoo()
3227 : call inputsave()
3228 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3229 : call inputrestore()
3230 :endfunction
3231
3232inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
3233 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
3234 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
3235 Example: >
3236 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3237 :if n != ""
3238 : let &sw = n
3239 :endif
3240< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3241 omitted an empty string is returned.
3242 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3243 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003244 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003245
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003246inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003247 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
3248 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
3249 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003250 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
3251 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
3252 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3253 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3254 is returned.
3255 Make sure {textlist} has less then 'lines' entries, otherwise
3256 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
3257 the start of the string. Example: >
3258 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3259 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3260
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003261inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
3262 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
3263 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3264 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3265 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3266
3267inputsave() *inputsave()*
3268 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3269 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3270 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3271 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3272 many inputrestore() calls.
3273 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3274
3275inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3276 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3277 two exceptions:
3278 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3279 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3280 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3281 |history| stack.
3282 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3283 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003284 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003285
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003286insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003287 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003288 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
3289 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
3290 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3291 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003292 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003293 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3294 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3295 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003296< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003297 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003298 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003299
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003300isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3301 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3302 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3303 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3304 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3305
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003306islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003307 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3308 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003309 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3310 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003311 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3312 :lockvar 1 alist
3313 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3314 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3315
3316< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003317 message. Use |exists()| to check for existence.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003318
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003319items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003320 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3321 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3322 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3323 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003324
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003325
3326join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3327 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3328 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3329 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3330 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3331 add it there too: >
3332 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003333< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003334 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3335 The opposite function is |split()|.
3336
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003337keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003338 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003339 arbitrary order.
3340
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003341 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003342len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3343 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3344 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003345 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003346 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003347 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3348 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003349 Otherwise an error is given.
3350
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003351 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3352libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3353 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3354 with single argument {argument}.
3355 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3356 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3357 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3358 limited.
3359 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3360 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3361 to Vim.
3362 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3363 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3364 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3365 null-terminated string.
3366 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3367
3368 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3369 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3370 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3371 very probably crash.
3372
3373 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3374 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3375 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3376 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3377 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3378 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3379 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3380 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3381 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3382 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3383
3384 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
3385 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
3386 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3387 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3388 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3389 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3390 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3391 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3392 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3393 feature is present}
3394 Examples: >
3395 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
3396 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
3397<
3398 *libcallnr()*
3399libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3400 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3401 int instead of a string.
3402 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3403 feature is present}
3404 Example (not very useful...): >
3405 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3406 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3407<
3408 *line()*
3409line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3410 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3411 . the cursor position
3412 $ the last line in the current buffer
3413 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3414 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003415 w0 first line visible in current window
3416 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003417 Note that a mark in another file can be used.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003418 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
3419 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003420 Examples: >
3421 line(".") line number of the cursor
3422 line("'t") line number of mark t
3423 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3424< *last-position-jump*
3425 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3426 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3427 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003428
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003429line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3430 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3431 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3432 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3433 line returns 1.
3434 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3435 below the last line: >
3436 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3437< This is the file size plus one.
3438 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3439 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3440 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3441
3442lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3443 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3444 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3445 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3446 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3447 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3448 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3449
3450localtime() *localtime()*
3451 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3452 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3453
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003454
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003455map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003456 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003457 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3458 {string}.
3459 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003460 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003461 Example: >
3462 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003463< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003464
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003465 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003466 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003467 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3468 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003469
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003470 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3471 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003472 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003473
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003474< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003475 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3476 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003477
3478
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003479maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *maparg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003480 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3481 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003482 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003483 "n" Normal
3484 "v" Visual
3485 "o" Operator-pending
3486 "i" Insert
3487 "c" Cmd-line
3488 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3489 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003490 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003491 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3492 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003493 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3494 command. The returned String has special characters
3495 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3496 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3497 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00003498 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
3499 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
3500 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
3501
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003502
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003503mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003504 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3505 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3506 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003507 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3508 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003509 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3510 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3511
3512 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3513 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3514 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3515 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3516 mapcheck("b") no no no
3517
3518 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3519 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3520 mapping for {name} exactly.
3521 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3522 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3523 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3524 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3525 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3526 then the global mappings.
3527 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3528 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3529 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3530 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3531 :endif
3532< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3533 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3534
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003535match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003536 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
3537 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003538 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003539 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3540 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3541 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003542 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003543 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3544 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003545 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003546 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003547< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003548 *strpbrk()*
3549 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3550 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3551< *strcasestr()*
3552 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3553 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3554 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3555<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003556 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003557 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003558 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003559 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003560 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3561< result is again "4". >
3562 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3563< result is again "4". >
3564 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3565< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003566 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003567 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
3568 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
3569 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
3570 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003571 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3572 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003573 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
3574 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003575
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003576 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003577 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003578 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
3579 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
3580< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003581 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
3582 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003583
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003584 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3585 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3586 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3587 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3588
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003589
3590matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003591 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003592 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
3593 Return a |List| with two elements:
3594 The name of the highlight group used
3595 The pattern used.
3596 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
3597 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
3598 This is usef to save and restore a |:match|.
3599
3600
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003601matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003602 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3603 the match. Example: >
3604 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3605< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003606 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3607 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3608 do it with matchend(): >
3609 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3610 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3611< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3612
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003613 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3614 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3615< results in "7". >
3616 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3617< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003618 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003619
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003620matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003621 Same as match(), but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003622 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3623 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00003624 in |:substitute|. When an optional submatch didn't match an
3625 empty string is used. Example: >
3626 echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
3627< Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003628 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3629
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003630matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003631 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3632 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3633< results in "ing".
3634 When there is no match "" is returned.
3635 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3636 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3637< results in "ing". >
3638 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3639< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003640 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003641 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003642
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003643 *max()*
3644max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3645 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3646 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003647 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003648
3649 *min()*
3650min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3651 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3652 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003653 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003654
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003655 *mkdir()* *E739*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003656mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3657 Create directory {name}.
3658 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3659 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3660 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3661 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3662 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3663 for others.
3664 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3665 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3666 :if exists("*mkdir")
3667<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003668 *mode()*
3669mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3670 n Normal
3671 v Visual by character
3672 V Visual by line
3673 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3674 s Select by character
3675 S Select by line
3676 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3677 i Insert
3678 R Replace
3679 c Command-line
3680 r Hit-enter prompt
3681 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3682 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3683
3684nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3685 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3686 that is not blank. Example: >
3687 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3688< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3689 below it, zero is returned.
3690 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3691
3692nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3693 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3694 value {expr}. Examples: >
3695 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3696 nr2char(32) returns " "
3697< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3698 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3699< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3700 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3701 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003702 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003703
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003704 *getpos()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003705getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
3706 see |line()|.
3707 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
3708 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
3709 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
3710 is the buffer number of the mark.
3711 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
3712 column is 1.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003713 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
3714 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
3715 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
3716 character.
3717 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
3718 let save_cursor = getpos(".")
3719 MoveTheCursorAround
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00003720 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003721< Also see |setpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003722
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003723pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
3724 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
3725 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
3726 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
3727 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
3728 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
3729< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
3730 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
3731
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003732prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3733 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3734 that is not blank. Example: >
3735 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3736< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3737 above it, zero is returned.
3738 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3739
3740
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003741printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
3742 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
3743 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003744 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003745< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003746 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003747
3748 Often used items are:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003749 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003750 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
3751 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003752 %c single byte
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003753 %d decimal number
3754 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
3755 %x hex number
3756 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
3757 %X hex number using upper case letters
3758 %o octal number
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003759 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003760
3761 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
3762 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
3763 the result.
3764
3765 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003766 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003767
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003768 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003769
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003770 flags
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003771 Zero or more of the following flags:
3772
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003773 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
3774 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
3775 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
3776 of the number is increased to force the first
3777 character of the output string to a zero (except
3778 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
3779 precision of zero).
3780 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
3781 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
3782 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003783
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003784 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
3785 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
3786 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
3787 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
3788 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003789
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003790 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
3791 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
3792 The converted value is padded on the right with
3793 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
3794 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003795
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003796 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
3797 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003798
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003799 + A sign must always be placed before a number
3800 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
3801 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003802
3803 field-width
3804 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003805 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
3806 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
3807 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
3808 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003809
3810 .precision
3811 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
3812 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
3813 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
3814 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
3815 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003816 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003817
3818 type
3819 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
3820 be applied, see below.
3821
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003822 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
3823 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
3824 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
3825 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
3826 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
3827 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003828 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003829< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003830 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003831
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003832 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003833
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003834 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
3835 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
3836 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
3837 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003838 conversions.
3839 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
3840 digits that must appear; if the converted value
3841 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
3842 zeros.
3843 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
3844 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
3845 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
3846 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
3847
3848 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
3849 resulting character is written.
3850
3851 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
3852 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
3853 specified are used.
3854
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003855 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
3856 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003857
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003858 Each argument can be Number or String and is converted
3859 automatically to fit the conversion specifier. Any other
3860 argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003861
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00003862 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003863 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
3864 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003865 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003866
3867
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003868pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
3869 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
3870 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00003871 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
3872 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003873
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003874 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003875range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003876 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003877 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3878 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3879 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3880 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3881 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003882 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
3883 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
3884 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003885 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003886 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003887 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3888 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003889 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003890 range(0) " []
3891 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003892<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003893 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003894readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003895 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
3896 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003897 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3898 NL appears somewhere).
3899 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3900 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3901 added.
3902 - No CR characters are removed.
3903 Otherwise:
3904 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3905 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3906 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003907 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
3908 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
3909 lines of a file: >
3910 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
3911 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
3912 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003913< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
3914 are returned, or as many as there are.
3915 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003916 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
3917 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
3918 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003919 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3920 the result is an empty list.
3921 Also see |writefile()|.
3922
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00003923reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
3924 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
3925 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
3926 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
3927 Without an argument it returns the current time.
3928 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
3929 specified in the argument.
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003930 With two arguments it returns the time passed between {start}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00003931 and {end}.
3932 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
3933 reltime().
3934 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
3935
3936reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
3937 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
3938 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
3939 microseconds. Example: >
3940 let start = reltime()
3941 call MyFunction()
3942 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
3943< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
3944 The accuracy depends on the system.
3945 Also see |profiling|.
3946 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
3947
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003948 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3949remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3950 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3951 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003952 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
3953 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
3954 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003955 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3956 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3957 remote_read() is stored there.
3958 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3959 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3960 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3961 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3962 and the result will be the empty string.
3963 Examples: >
3964 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3965 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3966<
3967
3968remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3969 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3970 This works like: >
3971 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3972< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3973 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3974 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00003975 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
3976 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003977 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3978 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3979 Win32 console version}
3980
3981
3982remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3983 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3984 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3985 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3986 name of a variable.
3987 Returns zero if none are available.
3988 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3989 See also |clientserver|.
3990 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3991 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3992 Examples: >
3993 :let repl = ""
3994 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3995
3996remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3997 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3998 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3999 See also |clientserver|.
4000 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4001 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4002 Example: >
4003 :echo remote_read(id)
4004<
4005 *remote_send()* *E241*
4006remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004007 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
4008 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
4009 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004010 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
4011 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
4012 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004013 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4014 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4015 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4016 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
4017 up the display.
4018 Examples: >
4019 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
4020 \ remote_read(serverid)
4021
4022 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
4023 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
4024 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
4025 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004026<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004027remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004028 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004029 return it.
4030 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
4031 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
4032 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
4033 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
4034 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004035 Example: >
4036 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004037 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004038remove({dict}, {key})
4039 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
4040 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
4041< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
4042
4043 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004044
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004045rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
4046 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
4047 should also work to move files across file systems. The
4048 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
4049 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
4050 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4051
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004052repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
4053 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
4054 result. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004055 :let separator = repeat('-', 80)
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004056< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004057 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004058 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004059 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
4060< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004061
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004062
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004063resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
4064 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
4065 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
4066 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
4067 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
4068 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
4069 stopped after 100 iterations.
4070 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
4071 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
4072 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
4073 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
4074 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
4075
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004076 *reverse()*
4077reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
4078 {list}.
4079 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4080 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
4081
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004082search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004083 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004084 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004085
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004086 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
4087 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004088 'c' accept a match at the cursor position
4089 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004090 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004091 'p' return number of matching sub-pattern (see below)
4092 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004093 'w' wrap around the end of the file
4094 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
4095 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
4096
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00004097 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
4098 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
4099 flag.
4100
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004101 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
4102 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
4103 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
4104 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
4105 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
4106< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
4107 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
4108
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004109 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
4110 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004111 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
4112 *search()-sub-match*
4113 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
4114 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
4115 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004116 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004117
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004118 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
4119 flag is used.
4120
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004121 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
4122 :let n = 1
4123 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
4124 : exe "argument " . n
4125 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
4126 : " first search to find match at start of file
4127 : normal G$
4128 : let flags = "w"
4129 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
4130 : s/foo/bar/g
4131 : let flags = "W"
4132 : endwhile
4133 : update " write the file if modified
4134 : let n = n + 1
4135 :endwhile
4136<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004137 Example for using some flags: >
4138 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
4139< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
4140 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
4141 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
4142 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
4143 line:
4144 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
4145 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
4146 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
4147 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
4148 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
4149
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004150
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004151searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
4152 Search for the declaration of {name}.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004153
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004154 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
4155 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
4156 first match in the function.
4157
4158 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
4159 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
4160 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
4161
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004162 Moves the cursor to the found match.
4163 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4164 Example: >
4165 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
4166 echo getline('.')
4167 endif
4168<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004169 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004170searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004171 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
4172 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
4173 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004174 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
4175 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
4176 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
4177 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
4178 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
4179 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004180
4181 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
4182 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
4183 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
4184 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
4185 typical use is: >
4186 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
4187< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
4188
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004189 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
4190 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004191 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
4192 outer pair
4193 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004194 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004195
4196 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
4197 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
4198 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
4199 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
4200 or a string.
4201 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
4202 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
4203 and -1 returned.
4204
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004205 For {stopline} see |search()|.
4206
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004207 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
4208 patterns are used like it's on.
4209
4210 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
4211 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
4212 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
4213 if 1
4214 if 2
4215 endif 2
4216 endif 1
4217< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
4218 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
4219 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
4220 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
4221 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
4222 "endif 2".
4223 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
4224 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
4225 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
4226 the matching start.
4227
4228 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
4229
4230 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
4231 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
4232
4233< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
4234 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
4235 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
4236 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
4237 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
4238 match.
4239 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
4240
4241 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
4242
4243< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
4244 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
4245 highlighting recognized as strings: >
4246
4247 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
4248 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
4249<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004250 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004251searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004252 Same as searchpair(), but returns a |List| with the line and
4253 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4254 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004255 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4256 returns [0, 0].
4257>
4258 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
4259<
4260 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
4261
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004262searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *searchpos()*
4263 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004264 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4265 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
4266 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4267 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004268 Example: >
4269 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
4270
4271< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
4272 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
4273 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
4274< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
4275 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
4276
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004277server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
4278 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
4279 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
4280 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4281 Note:
4282 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004283 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004284 before calling any commands that waits for input.
4285 See also |clientserver|.
4286 Example: >
4287 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
4288<
4289serverlist() *serverlist()*
4290 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
4291 When there are no servers or the information is not available
4292 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
4293 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4294 Example: >
4295 :echo serverlist()
4296<
4297setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
4298 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
4299 {val}.
4300 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
4301 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
4302 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
4303 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
4304 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
4305 Examples: >
4306 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
4307 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
4308< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4309
4310setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
4311 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
4312 {pos}. The first position is 1.
4313 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
4314 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004315 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
4316 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
4317 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
4318 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
4319 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004320 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
4321 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
4322 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
4323 line.
4324
4325setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004326 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
4327 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004328 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
4329 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004330 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
4331 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004332 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004333< When {line} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004334 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
4335 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
4336< This is equivalent to: >
4337 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
4338 : call setline(n, l)
4339 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004340< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
4341
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004342setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
4343 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
4344 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004345 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
4346 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004347 Otherwise, same as setqflist().
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004348
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004349 *setpos()*
4350setpos({expr}, {list})
4351 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
4352 . the cursor
4353 'x mark x
4354
4355 {list} must be a |List| with four numbers:
4356 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4357
4358 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004359 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004360 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
4361 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
4362 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004363 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004364
4365 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4366 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark.
4367
4368 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
4369 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
4370 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
4371 character.
4372
4373 Also see |getpos()|
4374
4375
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004376setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004377 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
4378 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
4379 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
4380 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004381
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004382 bufnr buffer number; must be the number of a valid
4383 buffer
4384 filename name of a file; only used when "bufnr" is not
4385 present or it is invalid.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004386 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004387 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004388 col column number
4389 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004390 when zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004391 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004392 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004393 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004394
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004395 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
4396 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
4397 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004398 If the "filename" and "bufnr" entries are not present or
4399 neither the "lnum" or "pattern" entries are present, then the
4400 item will not be handled as an error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004401 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
4402 be used.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004403 Note that the list is not exactly the same as what
4404 |getqflist()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004405
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004406 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
4407 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
4408 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
4409 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
4410 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
4411 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
4412
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004413 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
4414
4415 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
4416 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
4417 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
4418
4419
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004420 *setreg()*
4421setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
4422 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
4423 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
4424 then the value is appended.
4425 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
4426 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
4427 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
4428 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
4429 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
4430 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
4431 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
4432 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
4433
4434 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
4435 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
4436 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
4437 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4438
4439 Examples: >
4440 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
4441 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
4442 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
4443
4444< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
4445 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004446 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004447 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
4448 ....
4449 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
4450
4451< You can also change the type of a register by appending
4452 nothing: >
4453 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
4454
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004455settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabwinvar()*
4456 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
4457 {val}.
4458 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
4459 use |setwinvar()|.
4460 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004461 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
4462 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
4463 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
4464 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004465 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
4466 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
4467 Examples: >
4468 :call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
4469 :call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
4470< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4471
4472setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
4473 Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004474 Examples: >
4475 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
4476 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004477
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00004478shellescape({string}) *shellescape()*
4479 Escape {string} for use as shell command argument.
4480 On MS-Windows and MS-DOS, when 'shellslash' is not set, it
4481 will enclose {string} double quotes and double all double
4482 quotes within {string}.
4483 For other systems, it will enclose {string} in single quotes
4484 and replace all "'" with "'\''".
4485 Example: >
4486 :echo shellescape('c:\program files\vim')
4487< results in:
4488 "c:\program files\vim" ~
4489 Example usage: >
4490 :call system("chmod +x -- " . shellescape(expand("%")))
4491
4492
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004493simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
4494 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
4495 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
4496 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
4497 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
4498 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
4499 not removed either.
4500 Example: >
4501 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
4502< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
4503 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
4504 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
4505 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
4506 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
4507
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004508
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004509sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004510 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
4511 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4512 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
4513< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004514 Numbers sort after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004515 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004516 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004517 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
4518 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004519 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
4520 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
4521 sorts before the second one. Example: >
4522 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
4523 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
4524 endfunc
4525 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004526<
4527
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004528 *soundfold()*
4529soundfold({word})
4530 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
4531 language in 'spellang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004532 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
4533 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004534 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
4535 the method can be quite slow.
4536
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004537 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004538spellbadword([{sentence}])
4539 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
4540 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
4541 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
4542 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
4543
4544 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
4545 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
4546 result is an empty string.
4547
4548 The return value is a list with two items:
4549 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
4550 - The type of the spelling error:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004551 "bad" spelling mistake
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004552 "rare" rare word
4553 "local" word only valid in another region
4554 "caps" word should start with Capital
4555 Example: >
4556 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
4557< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
4558
4559 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
4560 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
4561 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004562
4563 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004564spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004565 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004566 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
4567 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
4568
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004569 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
4570 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
4571 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
4572
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004573 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
4574 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00004575 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
4576 replace a line.
4577
4578 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004579 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
4580 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004581
4582 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004583 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
4584 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004585
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004586
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004587split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004588 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
4589 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
4590 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004591 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004592 removing the matched characters.
4593 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
4594 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00004595 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
4596 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004597 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004598 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004599< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004600 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00004601< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
4602 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
4603< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004604 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
4605 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
4606< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004607
4608
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004609str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
4610 Convert string {expr} to a number.
4611 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 8, 10 or 16.
4612 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
4613 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
4614 with the default String to Number conversion.
4615 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
4616 different base the result will be zero.
4617 Text after the number is silently ignored.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004618
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004619
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004620strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
4621 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
4622 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
4623 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
4624 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
4625 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
4626 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
4627 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
4628 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
4629 Examples: >
4630 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
4631 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
4632 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
4633 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
4634 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
4635 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004636< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4637 :if exists("*strftime")
4638
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004639stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
4640 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4641 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004642 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
4643 This can be used to find a second match: >
4644 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
4645 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
4646< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004647 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004648 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004649 See also |strridx()|.
4650 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004651 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
4652 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
4653 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004654< *strstr()* *strchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004655 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
4656 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
4657
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004658 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004659string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
4660 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
4661 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004662 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004663 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004664 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004665 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004666 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004667 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004668 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004669
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004670 *strlen()*
4671strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004672 {expr} in bytes.
4673 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
4674 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004675
4676 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004677<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004678 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
4679 For other types an error is given.
4680 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004681
4682strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
4683 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004684 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004685 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
4686 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
4687 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
4688 end of the {src}. >
4689 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
4690 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
4691 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
4692 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
4693< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
4694 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00004695 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004696<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004697strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
4698 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4699 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
4700 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
4701 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
4702 match: >
4703 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
4704 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
4705< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004706 For pattern searches use |match()|.
4707 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004708 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004709 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004710 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004711< *strrchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004712 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
4713 function strrchr().
4714
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004715strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
4716 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
4717 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
4718 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
4719 echo strtrans(@a)
4720< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
4721 starting a new line.
4722
4723submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
4724 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
4725 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
4726 the whole matched text is returned.
4727 Example: >
4728 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
4729< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
4730 A line break is included as a newline character.
4731
4732substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
4733 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
4734 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
4735 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
4736 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
4737 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00004738 'ignorecase' is still relevant.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004739 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
4740 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
4741 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
4742 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
4743 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
4744 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
4745 unmodified.
4746 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
4747 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
4748 Example: >
4749 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
4750< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
4751 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
4752< results in "TESTING".
4753
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004754synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004755 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004756 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004757 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
4758 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004759
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004760 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004761 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
4762
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004763 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
4764 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
4765 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
4766 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
4767 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
4768 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
4769 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
4770
4771 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
4772 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
4773<
4774synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
4775 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
4776 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
4777 about a syntax item.
4778 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
4779 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
4780 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
4781 used (GUI, cterm or term).
4782 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
4783 {what} result
4784 "name" the name of the syntax item
4785 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
4786 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
4787 term: empty string)
4788 "bg" background color (like "fg")
4789 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
4790 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
4791 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
4792 "bold" "1" if bold
4793 "italic" "1" if italic
4794 "reverse" "1" if reverse
4795 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
4796 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004797 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004798
4799 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
4800 cursor): >
4801 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
4802<
4803synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
4804 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
4805 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
4806 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
4807 ":highlight link" are followed.
4808
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004809system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
4810 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
4811 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
4812 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
4813 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004814 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004815 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
4816 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
4817 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004818 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
4819 The result is a String. Example: >
4820
4821 :let files = system("ls")
4822
4823< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
4824 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
4825 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
4826 The command executed is constructed using several options:
4827 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
4828 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
4829 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
4830 concatenated commands.
4831
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004832 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
4833 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
4834
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004835 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
4836 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00004837
4838 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
4839 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
4840 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004841 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
4842 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
4843
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004844
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004845tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004846 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004847 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
4848 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
4849 omitted the current tab page is used.
4850 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
4851 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
4852 tablist = []
4853 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
4854 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
4855 endfor
4856< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
4857
4858
4859tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004860 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4861 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
4862 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
4863 page is returned (the tab page count).
4864 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
4865
4866
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004867tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
4868 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {arg}.
4869 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
4870 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
4871 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
4872 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
4873 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
4874 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
4875 Useful examples: >
4876 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
4877 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
4878< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
4879
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00004880 *tagfiles()*
4881tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
4882 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
4883
4884
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004885taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
4886 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00004887 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
4888 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004889 name Name of the tag.
4890 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004891 defined.
4892 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
4893 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004894 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004895 entry depends on the language specific
4896 kind values generated by the ctags
4897 tool.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004898 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004899 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004900 The "kind" entry is only available when using Exuberant ctags
4901 generated tags file. More entries may be present, depending
4902 on the content of the tags file: access, implementation,
4903 inherits and signature. Refer to the ctags documentation for
4904 information about these fields. For C code the fields
4905 "struct", "class" and "enum" may appear, they give the name of
4906 the entity the tag is contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004907
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004908 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
4909 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004910
4911 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
4912
4913 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
4914 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
4915 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
4916
4917 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
4918 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
4919 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
4920
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004921tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
4922 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
4923 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
4924 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
4925 :let tmpfile = tempname()
4926 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
4927< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
4928 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
4929 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
4930 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
4931 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
4932 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
4933
4934tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
4935 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
4936 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
4937 the string).
4938
4939toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
4940 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
4941 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
4942 the string).
4943
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00004944tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
4945 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
4946 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
4947 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
4948 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
4949 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
4950 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
4951
4952 Examples: >
4953 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
4954< returns "Hello THere" >
4955 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
4956< returns "{blob}"
4957
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004958 *type()*
4959type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004960 Number: 0
4961 String: 1
4962 Funcref: 2
4963 List: 3
4964 Dictionary: 4
4965 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004966 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
4967 :if type(myvar) == type("")
4968 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
4969 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004970 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004971
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004972values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004973 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
4974 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004975
4976
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004977virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
4978 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
4979 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
4980 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
4981 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
4982 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
4983 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
4984 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004985 For the use of {expr} see |col()|. Additionally you can use
Bram Moolenaar5c8837f2006-02-25 21:52:33 +00004986 [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line and column number. When
4987 "lnum" or "col" is out of range then virtcol() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004988 When 'virtualedit' is used it can be [lnum, col, off], where
4989 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
4990 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
4991 character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004992 For the byte position use |col()|.
4993 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
4994 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
4995 The accepted positions are:
4996 . the cursor position
4997 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
4998 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
4999 plus one)
5000 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
5001 returned)
5002 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
5003 Examples: >
5004 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
5005 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
5006 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
5007< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
5008
5009visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
5010 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005011 used in the current buffer. Initially it returns an empty
5012 string, but once Visual mode has been used, it returns "v",
5013 "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a single CTRL-V character) for
5014 character-wise, line-wise, or block-wise Visual mode
5015 respectively.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005016 Example: >
5017 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
5018< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
5019 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
5020 Visual mode that was used.
5021
5022 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
5023 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
5024 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
5025 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
5026
5027 *winbufnr()*
5028winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005029 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005030 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
5031 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5032 Example: >
5033 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
5034<
5035 *wincol()*
5036wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
5037 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
5038 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
5039
5040winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
5041 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
5042 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
5043 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5044 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
5045 Examples: >
5046 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
5047<
5048 *winline()*
5049winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
5050 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
5051 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00005052 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
5053 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005054
5055 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005056winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
5057 window. The top window has number 1.
5058 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00005059 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005060 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
5061 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
5062 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
5063 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
5064 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005065
5066 *winrestcmd()*
5067winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
5068 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005069 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
5070 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005071 Example: >
5072 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
5073 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
5074 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005075<
5076 *winrestview()*
5077winrestview({dict})
5078 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
5079 the view of the current window.
5080 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
5081 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
5082
5083 *winsaveview()*
5084winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
5085 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
5086 restore the view.
5087 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
5088 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
5089 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005090 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
5091 not opened when moving around.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005092 The return value includes:
5093 lnum cursor line number
5094 col cursor column
5095 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
5096 curswant column for vertical movement
5097 topline first line in the window
5098 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
5099 leftcol first column displayed
5100 skipcol columns skipped
5101 Note that no option values are saved.
5102
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005103
5104winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
5105 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
5106 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
5107 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5108 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
5109 Examples: >
5110 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
5111 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
5112 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
5113 :endif
5114<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005115 *writefile()*
5116writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005117 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005118 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
5119 Number.
5120 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
5121 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
5122 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
5123 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
5124 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
5125 to writefile().
5126 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
5127 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
5128 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
5129 fails.
5130 Also see |readfile()|.
5131 To copy a file byte for byte: >
5132 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
5133 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
5134<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005135
5136 *feature-list*
5137There are three types of features:
51381. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
5139 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
5140 :if has("cindent")
51412. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
5142 Example: >
5143 :if has("gui_running")
5144< *has-patch*
51453. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
5146 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
5147 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
5148 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
5149
5150all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
5151amiga Amiga version of Vim.
5152arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
5153arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00005154autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005155balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00005156balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005157beos BeOS version of Vim.
5158browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
5159 work.
5160builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
5161byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
5162cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
5163clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
5164clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
5165cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
5166cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
5167cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
5168comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
5169cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
5170cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
5171compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
5172debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
5173dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
5174dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
5175diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
5176digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
5177dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
5178dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
5179dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
5180ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
5181emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
5182eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
5183 true, of course!
5184ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
5185extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
5186 |'hlsearch'|
5187farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
5188file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005189filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
5190 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005191find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
5192 |+find_in_path|.
5193fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
5194 Windows this is not present).
5195folding Compiled with |folding| support.
5196footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
5197fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
5198gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
5199gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
5200gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005201gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
5202gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
5203gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
5204gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
5205gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
5206gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
5207gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
5208gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
5209hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
5210iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
5211insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
5212 Insert mode.
5213jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
5214keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
5215langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
5216libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
5217linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
5218 support.
5219lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
5220listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
5221 and the argument list |arglist|.
5222localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
5223mac Macintosh version of Vim.
5224macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
5225menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
5226mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
5227modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
5228mouse Compiled with support mouse.
5229mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
5230mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
5231mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
5232mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
5233mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
5234mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
5235multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
5236multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
5237multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00005238mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005239netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00005240netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005241ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
5242os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
5243osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
5244path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
5245perl Compiled with Perl interface.
5246postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
5247printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005248profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005249python Compiled with Python interface.
5250qnx QNX version of Vim.
5251quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00005252reltime Compiled with |reltime()| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005253rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
5254ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
5255scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
5256showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
5257signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
5258smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00005259sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005260statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
5261 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
5262sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00005263spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
5264syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005265syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
5266 current buffer.
5267system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
5268tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
5269 |tag-binary-search|.
5270tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
5271 |tag-old-static|.
5272tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
5273 files |tag-any-white|.
5274tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
5275terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
5276termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
5277textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
5278tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
5279 or terminfo file.
5280title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
5281toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
5282unix Unix version of Vim.
5283user_commands User-defined commands.
5284viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
5285vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
5286vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
5287virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
5288visual Compiled with Visual mode.
5289visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
5290 |blockwise-operators|.
5291vms VMS version of Vim.
5292vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
5293wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
5294wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
5295windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
5296winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
5297win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
5298win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
5299win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
5300win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
5301win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
5302writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
5303xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
5304xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
5305xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
5306xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
5307xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
5308xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
5309 xterm screen.
5310x11 Compiled with X11 support.
5311
5312 *string-match*
5313Matching a pattern in a String
5314
5315A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
5316the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
5317everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
5318like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
5319line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
5320with ".". Example: >
5321 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
5322 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
5323 aa
5324 xx
5325 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
5326 a
5327 x
5328
5329Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
5330"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
5331"\n".
5332
5333==============================================================================
53345. Defining functions *user-functions*
5335
5336New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
5337functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
5338commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
5339
5340The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
5341builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
5342avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
5343the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
5344
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005345It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
5346|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005347
5348 *local-function*
5349A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
5350can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
5351and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
5352function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
5353instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
5354
5355 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
5356:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
5357
5358:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005359 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5360 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005361 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005362
5363:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
5364 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
5365 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005366<
5367 *:function-verbose*
5368When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
5369last defined. Example: >
5370
5371 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
5372 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
5373 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
5374<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00005375See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005376
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005377 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005378:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005379 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
5380 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
5381 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005382
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005383 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5384 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005385 :function dict.init(arg)
5386< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
5387 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
5388 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
5389 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
5390 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
5391 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005392 *E127* *E122*
5393 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
5394 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
5395 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
5396 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005397
5398 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
5399
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005400 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
5401 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
5402 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
5403 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
5404 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
5405 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
5406 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005407
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005408 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
5409 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005410
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005411 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005412 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005413 local variable "self" will then be set to the
5414 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005415
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00005416 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
5417 will not be changed by the function.
5418
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005419 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
5420:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
5421 by its own, without other commands.
5422
5423 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
5424:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005425 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5426 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005427 :delfunc dict.init
5428< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
5429 function is deleted if there are no more references to
5430 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005431 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
5432:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
5433 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
5434 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
5435 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
5436 the number 0 is returned.
5437 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
5438 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
5439
5440 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
5441 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
5442 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
5443 are executed first. This process applies to all
5444 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
5445 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
5446
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005447 *function-argument* *a:var*
5448An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
5449be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
5450 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
5451Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
5452arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
5453may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
5454as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005455can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
5456that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005457 *E742*
5458The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005459However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can changes their contents.
5460Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
5461it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
5462|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005463
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005464When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
5465to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
5466may be larger.
5467
5468It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
5469still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
5470until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
5471inside a function body.
5472
5473 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005474Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
5475will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
5476accessed with "g:".
5477
5478Example: >
5479 :function Table(title, ...)
5480 : echohl Title
5481 : echo a:title
5482 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005483 : echo a:0 . " items:"
5484 : for s in a:000
5485 : echon ' ' . s
5486 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005487 :endfunction
5488
5489This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005490 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
5491 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005492
5493To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
5494 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
5495 : if a:n2 == 0
5496 : return "fail"
5497 : endif
5498 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
5499 : return "ok"
5500 :endfunction
5501
5502This function can then be called with: >
5503 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
5504 :if success == "ok"
5505 : echo div
5506 :endif
5507
5508An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
5509with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
5510 :function Foo()
5511 : execute Bar()
5512 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
5513 :endfunction
5514
5515 :function Bar()
5516 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
5517 :endfunction
5518
5519The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
5520the caller to set the names.
5521
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00005522 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005523:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
5524 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
5525 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
5526 used.
5527 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
5528 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
5529 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
5530 function.
5531 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
5532 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
5533 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
5534 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
5535 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
5536 this works:
5537 *function-range-example* >
5538 :function Mynumber(arg)
5539 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
5540 :endfunction
5541 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
5542<
5543 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
5544 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
5545 the range.
5546
5547 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
5548
5549 :function Cont() range
5550 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
5551 :endfunction
5552 :4,8call Cont()
5553<
5554 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
5555 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
5556
5557 *E132*
5558The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
5559option.
5560
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005561
5562AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005563 *autoload-functions*
5564When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005565only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
5566the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
5567
5568
5569Using an autocommand ~
5570
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005571This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
5572
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005573The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
5574You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
5575That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
5576again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
5577
5578Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
5579function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005580
5581 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
5582
5583The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
5584"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
5585
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005586
5587Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005588 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005589This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
5590
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005591Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
5592exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
5593like this: >
5594
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005595 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005596
5597When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
5598"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
5599"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
5600then define the function like this: >
5601
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005602 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005603 echo "Done!"
5604 endfunction
5605
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00005606The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005607exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
5608called.
5609
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005610It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
5611a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005612
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005613 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005614
5615Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
5616
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005617This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
5618
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005619 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005620
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00005621However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
5622for an unknown variable.
5623
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005624When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
5625be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
5626
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005627 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
5628 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005629
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00005630Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
5631defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
5632function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005633And you will get an error message every time.
5634
5635Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
5636other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
5637Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005638
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005639Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
5640|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
5641
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005642==============================================================================
56436. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
5644
5645Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
5646This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
5647{} like this: >
5648 my_{adjective}_variable
5649
5650When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
5651that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
5652name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
5653"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
5654"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
5655
5656One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
5657value. For example, the statement >
5658 echo my_{&background}_message
5659
5660would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
5661on the current value of 'background'.
5662
5663You can use multiple brace pairs: >
5664 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
5665..or even nest them: >
5666 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
5667where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
5668
5669However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005670variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005671 :let foo='a + b'
5672 :echo c{foo}d
5673.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
5674
5675 *curly-braces-function-names*
5676You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
5677Example: >
5678 :let func_end='whizz'
5679 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
5680
5681This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
5682
5683==============================================================================
56847. Commands *expression-commands*
5685
5686:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
5687 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
5688 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
5689 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
5690 is created.
5691
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005692:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
5693 Set a list item to the result of the expression
5694 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
5695 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
5696 the index can be repeated.
5697 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
5698
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005699 *E711* *E719*
5700:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005701 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
5702 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005703 correct number of items.
5704 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
5705 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
5706 When the selected range of items is partly past the
5707 end of the list, items will be added.
5708
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005709 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005710:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
5711:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
5712:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
5713 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
5714 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
5715
5716
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005717:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
5718 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
5719 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005720:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
5721 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
5722 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
5723 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005724
5725:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
5726 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
5727 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
5728 must be the name of a writable register (see
5729 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
5730 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
5731 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
5732 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
5733 characterwise.
5734 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
5735 :let @/ = ""
5736< This is different from searching for an empty string,
5737 that would match everywhere.
5738
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005739:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
5740 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
5741 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
5742
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005743:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
5744 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005745 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
5746 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005747 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
5748 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00005749 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005750 Example: >
5751 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005752
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005753:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
5754 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
5755 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
5756
5757:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
5758:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
5759 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
5760 {expr1}.
5761
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005762:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005763:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5764:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
5765:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005766 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
5767 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
5768
5769:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005770:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5771:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
5772:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005773 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
5774 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
5775
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005776:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005777 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005778 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
5779 {name2}, etc.
5780 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005781 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005782 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
5783 command as mentioned above.
5784 Example: >
5785 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005786< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
5787 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
5788 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
5789 :let x = [0, 1]
5790 :let i = 0
5791 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
5792 :echo x
5793< The result is [0, 2].
5794
5795:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
5796:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
5797:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
5798 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005799 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005800
5801:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005802 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005803 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
5804 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
5805 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005806 Example: >
5807 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
5808<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005809:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
5810:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
5811:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
5812 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005813 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005814 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005815:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005816 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
5817 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00005818 g: global variables
5819 b: local buffer variables
5820 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00005821 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00005822 s: script-local variables
5823 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005824 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005825
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005826:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
5827 variable is indicated before the value:
5828 <nothing> String
5829 # Number
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005830 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005831
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005832
5833:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
5834 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
5835 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005836 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005837 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
5838 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005839 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005840 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
5841 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005842< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005843 :unlet dict['two']
5844 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005845
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005846:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
5847 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
5848 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
5849 A locked variable can be deleted: >
5850 :lockvar v
5851 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
5852 :unlet v
5853< *E741*
5854 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
5855 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
5856
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005857 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
5858 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
5859 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005860 cannot add or remove items, but can
5861 still change their values.
5862 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005863 the items. If an item is a |List| or
5864 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005865 items, but can still change the
5866 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005867 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
5868 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
5869 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
5870 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
5871 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005872 *E743*
5873 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
5874 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
5875 loops.
5876
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005877 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
5878 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00005879 locked when used through the other variable.
5880 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005881 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
5882 :let cl = l
5883 :lockvar l
5884 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
5885< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
5886 See |deepcopy()|.
5887
5888
5889:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
5890 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
5891 opposite of |:lockvar|.
5892
5893
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005894:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
5895:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5896 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5897
5898 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
5899 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
5900 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
5901 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
5902 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
5903 part was not executed either.
5904
5905 You can use this to remain compatible with older
5906 versions: >
5907 :if version >= 500
5908 : version-5-specific-commands
5909 :endif
5910< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
5911 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
5912 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
5913 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
5914 avoid problems: >
5915 :if version >= 600
5916 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
5917 :endif
5918<
5919 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
5920 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
5921
5922 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
5923:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5924 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
5925 executed.
5926
5927 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
5928:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
5929 is no extra ":endif".
5930
5931:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005932 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005933:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
5934 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5935 When an error is detected from a command inside the
5936 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005937 Example: >
5938 :let lnum = 1
5939 :while lnum <= line("$")
5940 :call FixLine(lnum)
5941 :let lnum = lnum + 1
5942 :endwhile
5943<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005944 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005945 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005946
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005947:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005948:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
5949 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005950 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005951 value of each item.
5952 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005953 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00005954 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
5955 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005956 :for item in copy(mylist)
5957< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
5958 next item in the list, before executing the commands
5959 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
5960 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
5961 it will not be found. Thus the following example
5962 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
5963 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005964 :call remove(mylist, 0)
5965 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005966< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
5967 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
5968 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005969 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
5970 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
5971 to allow multiple item types.
5972
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005973:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
5974:endfo[r]
5975 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
5976 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
5977 {var2}, etc. Example: >
5978 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
5979 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
5980 :endfor
5981<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005982 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005983:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
5984 to the start of the loop.
5985 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5986 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5987 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5988 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5989 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5990 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005991
5992 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005993:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
5994 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
5995 ":endfor".
5996 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5997 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5998 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5999 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6000 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6001 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006002
6003:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
6004:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
6005 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
6006 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
6007 or autocommand invocations.
6008
6009 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
6010 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
6011 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
6012 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
6013 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
6014 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
6015 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
6016 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
6017 Example: >
6018 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
6019 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
6020<
6021 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
6022 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
6023 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
6024 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
6025 processing is not terminated.
6026
6027 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
6028 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
6029 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
6030 other errors are converted to a value of the form
6031 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
6032 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
6033 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
6034 the error number.
6035 Examples: >
6036 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
6037 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
6038<
6039 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
6040:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
6041 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
6042 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
6043 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
6044 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
6045 commands are skipped.
6046 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
6047 Examples: >
6048 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
6049 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
6050 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
6051 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
6052 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
6053 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
6054 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
6055 :catch " same as /.*/
6056<
6057 Another character can be used instead of / around the
6058 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
6059 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
6060 {pattern}.
6061 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
6062 an error message because it may vary in different
6063 locales.
6064
6065 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
6066:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
6067 are executed whenever the part between the matching
6068 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
6069 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
6070 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
6071 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
6072
6073 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
6074:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
6075 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
6076 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
6077 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
6078 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
6079 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
6080 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
6081 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
6082 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
6083 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
6084 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
6085 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
6086 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
6087 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
6088 is terminated.
6089 Example: >
6090 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
6091<
6092
6093 *:ec* *:echo*
6094:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
6095 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
6096 Also see |:comment|.
6097 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
6098 cursor to the first column.
6099 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6100 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6101 Example: >
6102 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
6103< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
6104 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
6105 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
6106 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
6107 command. Example: >
6108 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
6109<
6110 *:echon*
6111:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
6112 |:comment|.
6113 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6114 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6115 Example: >
6116 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
6117<
6118 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
6119 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
6120 command: >
6121 :!echo % --> filename
6122< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
6123 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
6124< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
6125 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
6126 :echo % --> nothing
6127< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
6128 :echo "%" --> %
6129< This just echoes the '%' character. >
6130 :echo expand("%") --> filename
6131< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
6132
6133 *:echoh* *:echohl*
6134:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
6135 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
6136 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
6137 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
6138< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
6139 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
6140
6141 *:echom* *:echomsg*
6142:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
6143 message in the |message-history|.
6144 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6145 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
6146 displayed, not interpreted.
6147 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6148 Example: >
6149 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
6150<
6151 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
6152:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
6153 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
6154 script or function the line number will be added.
6155 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6156 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
6157 the message is raised as an error exception instead
6158 (see |try-echoerr|).
6159 Example: >
6160 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
6161< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
6162 And to get a beep: >
6163 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
6164<
6165 *:exe* *:execute*
6166:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
6167 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
6168 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
6169 used as the processed command, command line editing
6170 keys are not recognized.
6171 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6172 Examples: >
6173 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
6174 :execute "normal " count . "w"
6175<
6176 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
6177 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
6178 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
6179
6180< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
6181 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
6182 command: >
6183 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
6184< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
6185
6186 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006187 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
6188 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006189 :execute 'while i > 5'
6190 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
6191<
6192 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
6193 completely in the executed string: >
6194 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
6195<
6196
6197 *:comment*
6198 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
6199 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
6200 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
6201 comment. Example: >
6202 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
6203
6204==============================================================================
62058. Exception handling *exception-handling*
6206
6207The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
6208explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
6209
6210Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
6211|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
6212exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
6213
6214
6215TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
6216
6217Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
6218use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
6219a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
6220 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
6221|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
6222a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
6223be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
6224which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
6225clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
6226
6227 :try
6228 : ...
6229 : ... TRY BLOCK
6230 : ...
6231 :catch /{pattern}/
6232 : ...
6233 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6234 : ...
6235 :catch /{pattern}/
6236 : ...
6237 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6238 : ...
6239 :finally
6240 : ...
6241 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
6242 : ...
6243 :endtry
6244
6245The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
6246appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
6247from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
6248 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
6249is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
6250script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
6251 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
6252lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
6253patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
6254after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
6255executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
6256":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
6257(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
6258continues in the following line as usual.
6259 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
6260":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
6261that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
6262finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
6263the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
6264the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
6265see |try-nesting|.
6266 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
6267remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
6268not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
6269try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
6270a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
6271execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
6272exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6273 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
6274thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
6275clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
6276catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
6277following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
6278clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6279
6280The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
6281a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
6282try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
6283from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
6284sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
6285":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
6286":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
6287from the finally clause.
6288 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
6289try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
6290clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
6291":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
6292clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
6293":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
6294this pending exception or command is discarded.
6295
6296For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
6297
6298
6299NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
6300
6301Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
6302conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
6303clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
6304catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
6305of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
6306checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
6307try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
6308otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
6309nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
6310one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
6311the inner try conditional.
6312
6313When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
6314finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
6315An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
6316thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
6317implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
6318as usual.
6319
6320For examples see |throw-catch|.
6321
6322
6323EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
6324
6325Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
6326'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
6327script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
6328finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
6329a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
6330(see |debug-scripts|).
6331
6332
6333THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
6334
6335You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
6336and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
6337 :throw 4711
6338 :throw "string"
6339< *throw-expression*
6340You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
6341first, and the result is thrown: >
6342 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
6343 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
6344
6345An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
6346command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
6347The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
6348 Example: >
6349
6350 :function! Foo(arg)
6351 : try
6352 : throw a:arg
6353 : catch /foo/
6354 : endtry
6355 : return 1
6356 :endfunction
6357 :
6358 :function! Bar()
6359 : echo "in Bar"
6360 : return 4710
6361 :endfunction
6362 :
6363 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
6364
6365This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
6366executed. >
6367 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
6368however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
6369
6370Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
6371abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
6372exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
6373 Example: >
6374
6375 :if Foo("arrgh")
6376 : echo "then"
6377 :else
6378 : echo "else"
6379 :endif
6380
6381Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
6382
6383 *catch-order*
6384Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
6385commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
6386command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
6387gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
6388 Example: >
6389
6390 :function! Foo(value)
6391 : try
6392 : throw a:value
6393 : catch /^\d\+$/
6394 : echo "Number thrown"
6395 : catch /.*/
6396 : echo "String thrown"
6397 : endtry
6398 :endfunction
6399 :
6400 :call Foo(0x1267)
6401 :call Foo('string')
6402
6403The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
6404An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
6405specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
6406specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
6407
6408 : catch /.*/
6409 : echo "String thrown"
6410 : catch /^\d\+$/
6411 : echo "Number thrown"
6412
6413The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
6414never taken.
6415
6416 *throw-variables*
6417If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
6418in the variable |v:exception|: >
6419
6420 : catch /^\d\+$/
6421 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
6422
6423You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
6424|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
6425exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
6426 Example: >
6427
6428 :function! Caught()
6429 : if v:exception != ""
6430 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
6431 : else
6432 : echo 'Nothing caught'
6433 : endif
6434 :endfunction
6435 :
6436 :function! Foo()
6437 : try
6438 : try
6439 : try
6440 : throw 4711
6441 : finally
6442 : call Caught()
6443 : endtry
6444 : catch /.*/
6445 : call Caught()
6446 : throw "oops"
6447 : endtry
6448 : catch /.*/
6449 : call Caught()
6450 : finally
6451 : call Caught()
6452 : endtry
6453 :endfunction
6454 :
6455 :call Foo()
6456
6457This displays >
6458
6459 Nothing caught
6460 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
6461 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
6462 Nothing caught
6463
6464A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
6465number in the script or function where it has been used: >
6466
6467 :function! LineNumber()
6468 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
6469 :endfunction
6470 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
6471<
6472 *try-nested*
6473An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
6474a surrounding try conditional: >
6475
6476 :try
6477 : try
6478 : throw "foo"
6479 : catch /foobar/
6480 : echo "foobar"
6481 : finally
6482 : echo "inner finally"
6483 : endtry
6484 :catch /foo/
6485 : echo "foo"
6486 :endtry
6487
6488The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
6489clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
6490conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
6491
6492 *throw-from-catch*
6493You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
6494catch clause: >
6495
6496 :function! Foo()
6497 : throw "foo"
6498 :endfunction
6499 :
6500 :function! Bar()
6501 : try
6502 : call Foo()
6503 : catch /foo/
6504 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
6505 : throw "bar"
6506 : endtry
6507 :endfunction
6508 :
6509 :try
6510 : call Bar()
6511 :catch /.*/
6512 : echo "Caught" v:exception
6513 :endtry
6514
6515This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
6516
6517 *rethrow*
6518There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
6519"v:exception" instead: >
6520
6521 :function! Bar()
6522 : try
6523 : call Foo()
6524 : catch /.*/
6525 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
6526 : throw v:exception
6527 : endtry
6528 :endfunction
6529< *try-echoerr*
6530Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
6531exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
6532Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
6533denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
6534the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
6535
6536 :try
6537 : try
6538 : asdf
6539 : catch /.*/
6540 : echoerr v:exception
6541 : endtry
6542 :catch /.*/
6543 : echo v:exception
6544 :endtry
6545
6546This code displays
6547
6548 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
6549
6550
6551CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
6552
6553Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
6554user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
6555an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
6556a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
6557catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
6558a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
6559normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
6560(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
6561to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
6562clause has been executed.)
6563Example: >
6564
6565 :try
6566 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
6567 : set ts=17
6568 :
6569 : " Do the hard work here.
6570 :
6571 :finally
6572 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
6573 : unlet s:saved_ts
6574 :endtry
6575
6576This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
6577changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
6578that function or script part.
6579
6580 *break-finally*
6581Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
6582a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
6583 Example: >
6584
6585 :let first = 1
6586 :while 1
6587 : try
6588 : if first
6589 : echo "first"
6590 : let first = 0
6591 : continue
6592 : else
6593 : throw "second"
6594 : endif
6595 : catch /.*/
6596 : echo v:exception
6597 : break
6598 : finally
6599 : echo "cleanup"
6600 : endtry
6601 : echo "still in while"
6602 :endwhile
6603 :echo "end"
6604
6605This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
6606
6607 :function! Foo()
6608 : try
6609 : return 4711
6610 : finally
6611 : echo "cleanup\n"
6612 : endtry
6613 : echo "Foo still active"
6614 :endfunction
6615 :
6616 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
6617
6618This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
6619extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
6620return value.)
6621
6622 *except-from-finally*
6623Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
6624a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
6625cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
6626exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
6627 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
6628working correctly: >
6629
6630 :try
6631 : try
6632 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
6633 : while 1
6634 : endwhile
6635 : finally
6636 : unlet novar
6637 : endtry
6638 :catch /novar/
6639 :endtry
6640 :echo "Script still running"
6641 :sleep 1
6642
6643If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
6644think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
6645|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
6646
6647
6648CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
6649
6650If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
6651watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
6652presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
6653exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
6654the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
6655the error exception is.
6656 Error exceptions have the following format: >
6657
6658 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
6659or >
6660 Vim:{errmsg}
6661
6662{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
6663the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
6664when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
6665a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
6666a space.
6667
6668Examples:
6669
6670The command >
6671 :unlet novar
6672normally produces the error message >
6673 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6674which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6675 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
6676
6677The command >
6678 :dwim
6679normally produces the error message >
6680 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6681which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6682 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6683
6684You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
6685 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
6686or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
6687 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
6688
6689Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
6690 :function nofunc
6691and >
6692 :delfunction nofunc
6693both produce the error message >
6694 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6695which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6696 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6697or >
6698 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6699respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
6700command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
6701 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
6702
6703Some commands like >
6704 :let x = novar
6705produce multiple error messages, here: >
6706 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6707 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6708Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
6709one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
6710 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
6711
6712You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
6713 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
6714
6715You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
6716 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
6717
6718You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
6719 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
6720<
6721 *catch-text*
6722NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
6723 :catch /No such variable/
6724only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
6725a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
6726cite the message text in a comment: >
6727 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
6728
6729
6730IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
6731
6732You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
6733
6734 :try
6735 : write
6736 :catch
6737 :endtry
6738
6739But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
6740catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
6741be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
6742
6743 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
6744
6745There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
6746writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
6747then hide the error from the user.
6748 It is much better to use >
6749
6750 :try
6751 : write
6752 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6753 :endtry
6754
6755which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
6756intentionally.
6757
6758For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
6759even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
6760command: >
6761 :silent! nunmap k
6762This works also when a try conditional is active.
6763
6764
6765CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
6766
6767When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
6768the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
6769script is not terminated, then.
6770 Example: >
6771
6772 :function! TASK1()
6773 : sleep 10
6774 :endfunction
6775
6776 :function! TASK2()
6777 : sleep 20
6778 :endfunction
6779
6780 :while 1
6781 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
6782 : try
6783 : if command == ""
6784 : continue
6785 : elseif command == "END"
6786 : break
6787 : elseif command == "TASK1"
6788 : call TASK1()
6789 : elseif command == "TASK2"
6790 : call TASK2()
6791 : else
6792 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
6793 : continue
6794 : endif
6795 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6796 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
6797 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
6798 : endtry
6799 :endwhile
6800
6801You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
6802a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
6803
6804For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
6805your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
6806command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
6807
6808
6809CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
6810
6811The commands >
6812
6813 :catch /.*/
6814 :catch //
6815 :catch
6816
6817catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
6818explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
6819a script in order to catch unexpected things.
6820 Example: >
6821
6822 :try
6823 :
6824 : " do the hard work here
6825 :
6826 :catch /MyException/
6827 :
6828 : " handle known problem
6829 :
6830 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6831 : echo "Script interrupted"
6832 :catch /.*/
6833 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
6834 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
6835 :endtry
6836 :" end of script
6837
6838Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
6839strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
6840specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
6841 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
6842by pressing CTRL-C: >
6843
6844 :while 1
6845 : try
6846 : sleep 1
6847 : catch
6848 : endtry
6849 :endwhile
6850
6851
6852EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
6853
6854Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
6855
6856 :autocmd User x try
6857 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
6858 :autocmd User x catch
6859 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
6860 :autocmd User x endtry
6861 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
6862 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
6863 :
6864 :try
6865 : doautocmd User x
6866 :catch
6867 : echo v:exception
6868 :endtry
6869
6870This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
6871
6872 *except-autocmd-Pre*
6873For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
6874command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
6875of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
6876abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
6877 Example: >
6878
6879 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
6880 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
6881 :
6882 :try
6883 : write
6884 :catch
6885 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
6886 :endtry
6887
6888Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
6889you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
6890autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
6891script displays: >
6892
6893 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
6894<
6895 *except-autocmd-Post*
6896For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
6897command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
6898an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
6899is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
6900 Example: >
6901
6902 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
6903 :
6904 :try
6905 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6906 :catch
6907 : echo v:exception
6908 :endtry
6909
6910This just displays: >
6911
6912 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
6913
6914If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
6915fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
6916 Example: >
6917
6918 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
6919 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
6920 :
6921 :try
6922 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6923 :catch
6924 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6925 :endtry
6926<
6927You can also use ":silent!": >
6928
6929 :let x = "ok"
6930 :let v:errmsg = ""
6931 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
6932 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
6933 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
6934 :try
6935 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6936 :catch
6937 :endtry
6938 :echo x
6939
6940This displays "after fail".
6941
6942If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
6943autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
6944
6945 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
6946 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
6947 :
6948 :try
6949 : write
6950 :catch
6951 : echo v:exception
6952 :endtry
6953<
6954 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
6955For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
6956autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
6957of the command.
6958 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
6959had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
6960some way. >
6961
6962 :if !exists("cnt")
6963 : let cnt = 0
6964 :
6965 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
6966 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
6967 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
6968 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6969 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6970 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
6971 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
6972 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6973 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6974 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
6975 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6976 :endif
6977 :
6978 :try
6979 : write
6980 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
6981 : if &modified
6982 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
6983 : else
6984 : echo "Error after writing"
6985 : endif
6986 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6987 : echo "Error on writing"
6988 :endtry
6989
6990When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
6991first >
6992 File successfully written!
6993then >
6994 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
6995then >
6996 Error after writing
6997etc.
6998
6999 *except-autocmd-ill*
7000You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
7001The following code is ill-formed: >
7002
7003 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
7004 :
7005 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
7006 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
7007 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
7008 :
7009 :write
7010
7011
7012EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
7013
7014Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
7015pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
7016similar things in Vim.
7017 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
7018class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
7019string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
7020 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
7021it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
7022for an error when writing "myfile".
7023 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
7024base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
7025parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
7026 Example: >
7027
7028 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
7029 : if a:a < 0
7030 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
7031 : endif
7032 :endfunction
7033 :
7034 :function! Add(a, b)
7035 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
7036 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
7037 : let c = a:a + a:b
7038 : if c < 0
7039 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
7040 : endif
7041 : return c
7042 :endfunction
7043 :
7044 :function! Div(a, b)
7045 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
7046 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
7047 : if (a:b == 0)
7048 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
7049 : endif
7050 : return a:a / a:b
7051 :endfunction
7052 :
7053 :function! Write(file)
7054 : try
7055 : execute "write" a:file
7056 : catch /^Vim(write):/
7057 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
7058 : endtry
7059 :endfunction
7060 :
7061 :try
7062 :
7063 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
7064 :
7065 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
7066 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
7067 : echo "Range error in" function
7068 :
7069 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
7070 : echo "Math error"
7071 :
7072 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
7073 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
7074 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
7075 : if file !~ '^/'
7076 : let file = dir . "/" . file
7077 : endif
7078 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
7079 :
7080 :catch /^EXCEPT/
7081 : echo "Unspecified error"
7082 :
7083 :endtry
7084
7085The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
7086a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
7087exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
7088 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
7089failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
7090
7091
7092PECULIARITIES
7093 *except-compat*
7094The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
7095exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
7096and/or a catch clause.
7097
7098In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
7099continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
7100after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
7101functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
7102or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
7103(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
7104
7105This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
7106immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
7107conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
7108be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
7109termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
7110catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
7111by specifying a finally clause.)
7112
7113When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
7114behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
7115scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
7116
7117However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
7118commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
7119conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
7120script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
7121error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
7122messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
7123|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
7124not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
7125where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
7126error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
7127scripts.
7128
7129 *except-syntax-err*
7130Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
7131the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
7132clauses, however, is executed.
7133 Example: >
7134
7135 :try
7136 : try
7137 : throw 4711
7138 : catch /\(/
7139 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
7140 : catch
7141 : echo "inner catch-all"
7142 : finally
7143 : echo "inner finally"
7144 : endtry
7145 :catch
7146 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
7147 : finally
7148 : echo "outer finally"
7149 :endtry
7150
7151This displays: >
7152 inner finally
7153 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
7154 outer finally
7155The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
7156
7157 *except-single-line*
7158The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
7159a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
7160"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
7161 Example: >
7162 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
7163raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
7164argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
7165error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
7166displayed.
7167
7168 *except-several-errors*
7169When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
7170usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
7171 Example: >
7172 echo novar
7173causes >
7174 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7175 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7176The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7177 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
7178< *except-syntax-error*
7179But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
7180the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
7181 Example: >
7182 unlet novar #
7183causes >
7184 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7185 E488: Trailing characters
7186The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7187 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
7188This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
7189not intended by the user. Example: >
7190 try
7191 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
7192 catch /.*/
7193 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
7194 endtry
7195This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
7196a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
7197
7198==============================================================================
71999. Examples *eval-examples*
7200
7201Printing in Hex ~
7202>
7203 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
7204 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
7205 : let n = a:nr
7206 : let r = ""
7207 : while n
7208 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
7209 : let n = n / 16
7210 : endwhile
7211 : return r
7212 :endfunc
7213
7214 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
7215 :" character Hex string.
7216 :func String2Hex(str)
7217 : let out = ''
7218 : let ix = 0
7219 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
7220 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
7221 : let ix = ix + 1
7222 : endwhile
7223 : return out
7224 :endfunc
7225
7226Example of its use: >
7227 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
7228result: "20" >
7229 :echo String2Hex("32")
7230result: "3332"
7231
7232
7233Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
7234
7235Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
7236":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
7237platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
7238function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
7239with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
7240>
7241 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
7242 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
7243 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
7244 : return -1
7245 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
7246 : return 1
7247 : else
7248 : return 0
7249 : endif
7250 :endfunction
7251
7252 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
7253 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
7254 : if (a:start >= a:end)
7255 : return
7256 : endif
7257 : let partition = a:start - 1
7258 : let middle = partition
7259 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
7260 : let i = a:start
7261 : while (i <= a:end)
7262 : let str = getline(i)
7263 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
7264 : if (result <= 0)
7265 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
7266 : let partition = partition + 1
7267 : if (result == 0)
7268 : let middle = partition
7269 : endif
7270 : if (i != partition)
7271 : let str2 = getline(partition)
7272 : call setline(i, str2)
7273 : call setline(partition, str)
7274 : endif
7275 : endif
7276 : let i = i + 1
7277 : endwhile
7278
7279 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
7280 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
7281 : " the end of the partition.
7282 : if (middle != partition)
7283 : let str = getline(middle)
7284 : let str2 = getline(partition)
7285 : call setline(middle, str2)
7286 : call setline(partition, str)
7287 : endif
7288 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
7289 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
7290 :endfunc
7291
7292 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
7293 :" function that will compare two lines.
7294 :func! Sort(cmp) range
7295 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
7296 :endfunc
7297
7298 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
7299 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
7300<
7301 *sscanf*
7302There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
7303line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
7304how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
7305"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
7306 :" Set up the match bit
7307 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
7308 :"get the part matching the whole expression
7309 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
7310 :"get each item out of the match
7311 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
7312 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
7313 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
7314
7315The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
7316"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
7317
7318==============================================================================
731910. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
7320
7321When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
7322evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
7323to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
7324recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
7325and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
7326only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
7327recognized.
7328
7329Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
7330missing: >
7331
7332 :if 1
7333 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
7334 :else
7335 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
7336 :endif
7337
7338==============================================================================
733911. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
7340
7341The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
7342options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
7343these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
7344these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00007345a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007346The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007347
7348These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
7349 - changing the buffer text
7350 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
7351 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
7352 - executing a shell command
7353 - reading or writing a file
7354 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00007355 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007356This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
7357
7358 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00007359:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007360 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
7361 'foldexpr'.
7362
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007363 *sandbox-option*
7364A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00007365have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007366restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
7367location. Insecure in this context are:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00007368- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directory
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007369- while executing in the sandbox
7370- value coming from a modeline
7371
7372Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
7373option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
7374
7375==============================================================================
737612. Textlock *textlock*
7377
7378In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
7379to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
7380is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
7381actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
7382happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
7383
7384This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
7385 - changing the buffer text
7386 - jumping to another buffer or window
7387 - editing another file
7388 - closing a window or quitting Vim
7389 - etc.
7390
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007391
7392 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: