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Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2006 Feb 18
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
80
81For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
82
83Note that in the command >
84 :if "foo"
85"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
86use strlen(): >
87 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000088< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
89List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000090
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000091 *E706*
92You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
93to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000094equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000095 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000096 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000097 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000098
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000099
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001001.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000101 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000102A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000103in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
104around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000105
106 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
107 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000108< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000109A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:" or "b:". You cannot
110have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000111
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000112A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
113Dictionary entry. Example: >
114 :function dict.init() dict
115 : let self.val = 0
116 :endfunction
117
118The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
119function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
120
121A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
122 :call Fn()
123 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000124
125The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000126 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000127
128You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
129arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000130 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000131
132
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001331.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000134 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000135A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
136can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
137position in the sequence.
138
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000139
140List creation ~
141 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000142A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143Examples: >
144 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
145 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000146
147An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000148nested List: >
149 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000150
151An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
152
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000153
154List index ~
155 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000156An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000157after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
158 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000159 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000160
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000161When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000162 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000163<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000164A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
165the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000166 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
167
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000168To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000169is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000170 :echo get(mylist, idx)
171 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
172
173
174List concatenation ~
175
176Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
177 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000178 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000179
180To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
181it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
182
183
184Sublist ~
185
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000186A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
187separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000188 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000189
190Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
191similar to -1. The difference is that there is no error if the items are not
192available. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000193 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
194 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
195 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000196
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000197The second index can be just before the first index. In that case the result
198is an empty list. If the second index is lower, this results in an error. >
199 :echo mylist[2:1] " result: []
200 :echo mylist[2:0] " error!
201
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000202NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
203using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
204mylist[s : e].
205
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000206
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000207List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000208 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000209When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
210variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
211change "bb": >
212 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
213 :let bb = aa
214 :call add(aa, 4)
215 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000216< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000217
218Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
219works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000220a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000221 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
222 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000223 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000224 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
225 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000226< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000227 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000228< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000229
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000230To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000231copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000232
233The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000234List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000235the same value. >
236 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
237 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
238 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000239< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000240 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000241< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000242
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000243Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
244same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000245exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
246different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
247variables. Example: >
248 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000249< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000250 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000251< 0
252
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000253Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
254can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a string: >
255
256 :let a = 5
257 :let b = "5"
258 echo a == b
259< 1 >
260 echo [a] == [b]
261< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000262
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000263
264List unpack ~
265
266To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
267square brackets, like list items: >
268 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
269
270When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
271this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
272and a variable name: >
273 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
274
275This works like: >
276 :let var1 = mylist[0]
277 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000278 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000279
280Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
281empty list then.
282
283
284List modification ~
285 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000286To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000287 :let list[4] = "four"
288 :let listlist[0][3] = item
289
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000290To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000291modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000292 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
293
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000294Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
295examples: >
296 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
297 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
298 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000299 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000300 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
301 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000302 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000303 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000304 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000305 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000306
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000307Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000308 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
309 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
310
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000311
312For loop ~
313
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000314The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
315to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000316 :for item in mylist
317 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000318 :endfor
319
320This works like: >
321 :let index = 0
322 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000323 : let item = mylist[index]
324 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000325 : let index = index + 1
326 :endwhile
327
328Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000329results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000330the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000331
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000332If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000333function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000334
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000335Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
336requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
337 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
338 : call Doit(lnum, col)
339 :endfor
340
341This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
342must remain the same to avoid an error.
343
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000344It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000345 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
346 : call Doit(i, j)
347 : if !empty(rest)
348 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
349 : endif
350 :endfor
351
352
353List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000354 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000355Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000356 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000357 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000358 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
359 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
360 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000361 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
362 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000363 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
364 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000365 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
366 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000367 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
368 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000369
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000370Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
371example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
372 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
373
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000374
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003751.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000376 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000377A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000378entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
379ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000380
381
382Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000383 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000384A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000385braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
386only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000387 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
388 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000389< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000390A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
391String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000392entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
393Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000394
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000395A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000396nested Dictionary: >
397 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
398
399An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
400
401
402Accessing entries ~
403
404The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
405 :let val = mydict["one"]
406 :let mydict["four"] = 4
407
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000408You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000409
410For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
411form can be used |expr-entry|: >
412 :let val = mydict.one
413 :let mydict.four = 4
414
415Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
416key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000417 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000418
419
420Dictionary to List conversion ~
421
422You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
423turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
424
425Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
426 :for key in keys(mydict)
427 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
428 :endfor
429
430The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
431 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
432
433To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
434 :for v in values(mydict)
435 : echo "value: " . v
436 :endfor
437
438If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000439a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000440 :for entry in items(mydict)
441 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
442 :endfor
443
444
445Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000446 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000447Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
448Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
449Dictionary: >
450 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
451 :let adict = onedict
452 :let adict['a'] = 11
453 :echo onedict['a']
454 11
455
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000456Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
457more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000458
459
460Dictionary modification ~
461 *dict-modification*
462To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
463use |:let| this way: >
464 :let dict[4] = "four"
465 :let dict['one'] = item
466
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000467Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
468Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
469 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
470 :unlet dict.aaa
471 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000472
473Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000474 :call extend(adict, bdict)
475This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
476in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000477Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
478expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
479adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000480
481Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +0000482 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000483This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000484
485
486Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000487 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000488When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
489special way with a dictionary. Example: >
490 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000491 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000492 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000493 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
494 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000495
496This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
497Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
498the function was invoked from.
499
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000500It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
501Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
502
503 *numbered-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000504To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
505assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000506 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
507 :function mydict.len() dict
508 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000509 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000510 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000511
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000512The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
513that references this function. The function can only be used through a
514|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
515remaining that refers to it.
516
517It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000518
519
520Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000521 *E715*
522Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000523 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
524 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
525 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
526 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
527 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
528 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
529 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
530 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000531
532
5331.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000534 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000535If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
536function.
537
538When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
539start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
540stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
541
542When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
543start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
544stored in the session file |session-file|.
545
546variable name can be stored where ~
547my_var_6 not
548My_Var_6 session file
549MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
550
551
552It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
553|curly-braces-names|.
554
555==============================================================================
5562. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
557
558Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
559
560|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
561
562|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
563
564|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
565
566|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
567 expr5 != expr5 not equal
568 expr5 > expr5 greater than
569 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
570 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
571 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
572 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
573 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
574
575 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
576 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
577 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
578 matching case
579
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000580 expr5 is expr5 same List instance
581 expr5 isnot expr5 different List instance
582
583|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000584 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
585 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
586
587|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
588 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
589 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
590
591|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
592 - expr7 unary minus
593 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000594
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000595
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000596|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a List
597 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a List
598 expr8.name entry in a Dictionary
599 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with Funcref variable
600
601|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000602 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000603 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000604 [expr1, ...] List
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000605 {expr1: expr1, ...} Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000606 &option option value
607 (expr1) nested expression
608 variable internal variable
609 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
610 $VAR environment variable
611 @r contents of register 'r'
612 function(expr1, ...) function call
613 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
614
615
616".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
617Example: >
618 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
619
620All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
621
622
623expr1 *expr1* *E109*
624-----
625
626expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
627
628The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
629non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
630otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
631Example: >
632 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
633
634Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
635other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
636Example: >
637 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
638
639To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
640 :echo lnum == 1
641 :\ ? "top"
642 :\ : lnum == 1000
643 :\ ? "last"
644 :\ : lnum
645
646
647expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
648---------------
649
650 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
651The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
652are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
653
654 input output ~
655n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
656zero zero zero zero
657zero non-zero non-zero zero
658non-zero zero non-zero zero
659non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
660
661The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
662
663 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
664
665Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
666
667 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
668
669Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
670arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
671
672 let a = 1
673 echo a || b
674
675This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
676so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
677
678 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
679
680This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
681only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
682
683
684expr4 *expr4*
685-----
686
687expr5 {cmp} expr5
688
689Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
690if it evaluates to true.
691
692 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
693 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
694 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
695 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
696 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
697 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000698 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000699 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
700equal == ==# ==?
701not equal != !=# !=?
702greater than > ># >?
703greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
704smaller than < <# <?
705smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
706regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
707regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000708same instance is
709different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000710
711Examples:
712"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
713"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
714"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
715
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000716 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000717A List can only be compared with a List and only "equal", "not equal" and "is"
718can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively. Ignoring
719case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
720
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000721 *E735* *E736*
722A Dictionary can only be compared with a Dictionary and only "equal", "not
723equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the Dictionary,
724recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
725
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000726 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000727A Funcref can only be compared with a Funcref and only "equal" and "not equal"
728can be used. Case is never ignored.
729
730When using "is" or "isnot" with a List this checks if the expressions are
731referring to the same List instance. A copy of a List is different from the
732original List. When using "is" without a List it is equivalent to using
733"equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
734different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
735is false.
736
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000737When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
738and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
739because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
740
741When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
742results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
743necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
744
745When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
746'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
747
748When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
749'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
750
751The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
752argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
753This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
754matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
755portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
756single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
757Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
758(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
759can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
760 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
761 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
762
763
764expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
765---------------
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000766expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or List concatenation *expr-+*
767expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
768expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000769
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000770For Lists only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The result
771is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
772
773expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
774expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
775expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000776
777For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
778
779Note the difference between "+" and ".":
780 "123" + "456" = 579
781 "123" . "456" = "123456"
782
783When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
784When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
785
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000786None of these work for Funcrefs.
787
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000788
789expr7 *expr7*
790-----
791! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
792- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
793+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
794
795For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
796For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
797For '+' the number is unchanged.
798
799A String will be converted to a Number first.
800
801These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
802 !-1 == 0
803 !!8 == 1
804 --9 == 9
805
806
807expr8 *expr8*
808-----
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000809expr8[expr1] item of String or List *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000810
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000811If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
812expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000813Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000814
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000815Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
816text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
817cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000818 :let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1]
819
820If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000821String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
822compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
823
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000824If expr8 is a List then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000825for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
826error. Example: >
827 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
828
829Generally, if a List index is equal to or higher than the length of the List,
830or more negative than the length of the List, this results in an error.
831
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000832
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000833expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000834
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000835If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
836from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000837expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
838encodings.
839
840If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
841string minus one is used.
842
843A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
844the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
845
846If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
847expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
848
849Examples: >
850 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
851 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
852 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
853 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
854
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000855If expr8 is a List this results in a new List with the items indicated by the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000856indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained just
857above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
858 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
859 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
860 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
861
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000862Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a Funcref results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000863
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000864
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000865expr8.name entry in a Dictionary *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000866
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000867If expr8 is a Dictionary and it is followed by a dot, then the following name
868will be used as a key in the Dictionary. This is just like: expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000869
870The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
871but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
872
873There must not be white space before or after the dot.
874
875Examples: >
876 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
877 :echo dict.one
878 :echo dict .2
879
880Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
881always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
882
883
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000884expr8(expr1, ...) Funcref function call
885
886When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
887
888
889
890 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000891number
892------
893number number constant *expr-number*
894
895Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
896
897
898string *expr-string* *E114*
899------
900"string" string constant *expr-quote*
901
902Note that double quotes are used.
903
904A string constant accepts these special characters:
905\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
906\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
907\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
908\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
909\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
910\X.. same as \x..
911\X. same as \x.
912\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
913 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
914\U.... same as \u....
915\b backspace <BS>
916\e escape <Esc>
917\f formfeed <FF>
918\n newline <NL>
919\r return <CR>
920\t tab <Tab>
921\\ backslash
922\" double quote
923\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
924
925Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
926
927
928literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
929---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000930'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000931
932Note that single quotes are used.
933
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000934This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000935meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000936
937Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
938to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
939 if a =~ "\\s*"
940 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000941
942
943option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
944------
945&option option value, local value if possible
946&g:option global option value
947&l:option local option value
948
949Examples: >
950 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
951 if &insertmode
952
953Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
954and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
955anyway.
956
957
958register *expr-register*
959--------
960@r contents of register 'r'
961
962The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
963Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +0000964register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
965registers.
966
967When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
968evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000969
970
971nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
972-------
973(expr1) nested expression
974
975
976environment variable *expr-env*
977--------------------
978$VAR environment variable
979
980The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
981result is an empty string.
982 *expr-env-expand*
983Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
984expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
985are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
986the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
987fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
988does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
989 :echo $version
990 :echo expand("$version")
991The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
992variable (if your shell supports it).
993
994
995internal variable *expr-variable*
996-----------------
997variable internal variable
998See below |internal-variables|.
999
1000
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001001function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001002-------------
1003function(expr1, ...) function call
1004See below |functions|.
1005
1006
1007==============================================================================
10083. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1009 *E461*
1010An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1011cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1012|curly-braces-names|.
1013
1014An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001015An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1016|:unlet|.
1017Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1018been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001019
1020There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1021specified by what is prepended:
1022
1023 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1024|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1025|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
1026|global-variable| g: Global.
1027|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1028|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1029|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1030|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1031
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001032The scope name by itself can be used as a Dictionary. For example, to delete
1033all script-local variables: >
1034 :for k in keys(s:)
1035 : unlet s:[k]
1036 :endfor
1037<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001038 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1039A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1040Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1041This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1042|:bdelete|.
1043
1044One local buffer variable is predefined:
1045 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1046b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1047 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1048 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1049 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1050 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1051 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1052 : call My_Update()
1053 :endif
1054<
1055 *window-variable* *w:var*
1056A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1057is deleted when the window is closed.
1058
1059 *global-variable* *g:var*
1060Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1061access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1062place if you like.
1063
1064 *local-variable* *l:var*
1065Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1066But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1067
1068 *script-variable* *s:var*
1069In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1070accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1071
1072They can be used in:
1073- commands executed while the script is sourced
1074- functions defined in the script
1075- autocommands defined in the script
1076- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1077 defined in the script (recursively)
1078- user defined commands defined in the script
1079Thus not in:
1080- other scripts sourced from this one
1081- mappings
1082- etc.
1083
1084script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1085Take this example:
1086
1087 let s:counter = 0
1088 function MyCounter()
1089 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1090 echo s:counter
1091 endfunction
1092 command Tick call MyCounter()
1093
1094You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1095that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1096"Tick" was defined is used.
1097
1098Another example that does the same: >
1099
1100 let s:counter = 0
1101 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1102
1103When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001104script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001105defined.
1106
1107The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1108function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1109
1110 let s:counter = 0
1111 function StartCounting(incr)
1112 if a:incr
1113 function MyCounter()
1114 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1115 endfunction
1116 else
1117 function MyCounter()
1118 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1119 endfunction
1120 endif
1121 endfunction
1122
1123This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1124when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1125called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1126
1127When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1128They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1129maintain a counter: >
1130
1131 if !exists("s:counter")
1132 let s:counter = 1
1133 echo "script executed for the first time"
1134 else
1135 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1136 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1137 endif
1138
1139Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1140variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1141
1142
1143Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1144
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001145 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1146v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1147 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1148 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1149
1150 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1151v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1152 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1153
1154 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1155v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1156 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1157
1158 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001159v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1160 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1161 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1162 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001163 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1164 highlighted text is used.
1165 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1166
1167 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1168v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1169 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1170
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001171 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1172v:charconvert_from
1173 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1174 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1175
1176 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1177v:charconvert_to
1178 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1179 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1180
1181 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1182v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1183 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1184 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1185 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1186 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1187 possible to append this variable directly after the
1188 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1189 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1190 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1191 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1192 in 'printexpr'.
1193
1194 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1195v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1196 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1197 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1198 can be used.
1199
1200 *v:count* *count-variable*
1201v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1202 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1203 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1204< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1205 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001206 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001207 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1208
1209 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1210v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1211 used.
1212
1213 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1214v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1215 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1216 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1217 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1218 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1219 command.
1220 See |multi-lang|.
1221
1222 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1223v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1224 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1225 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1226 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1227 Example: >
1228 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1229<
1230 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1231v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1232 Example: >
1233 :let v:errmsg = ""
1234 :silent! next
1235 :if v:errmsg != ""
1236 : ... handle error
1237< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1238
1239 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1240v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1241 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1242 Example: >
1243 :try
1244 : throw "oops"
1245 :catch /.*/
1246 : echo "caught" v:exception
1247 :endtry
1248< Output: "caught oops".
1249
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001250 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1251v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1252 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1253 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1254 deleted file no longer exists
1255 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1256 changed and buffer is modified
1257 changed file contents has changed
1258 mode mode of file changed
1259 time only file timestamp changed
1260
1261 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1262v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1263 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1264 do with the affected buffer:
1265 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1266 the file was deleted).
1267 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1268 was no autocommand. Except that when
1269 only the timestamp changed nothing
1270 will happen.
1271 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1272 everything that needs to be done.
1273 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1274 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1275
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001276 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001277v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001278 option used for ~
1279 'charconvert' file to be converted
1280 'diffexpr' original file
1281 'patchexpr' original file
1282 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001283 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001284
1285 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1286v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1287 evaluating:
1288 option used for ~
1289 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1290 'diffexpr' output of diff
1291 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1292 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1293 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1294 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1295 file and different from v:fname_in.
1296
1297 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1298v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1299 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1300
1301 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1302v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1303 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1304
1305 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1306v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1307 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001308 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001309
1310 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1311v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001312 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001313
1314 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1315v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001316 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001317
1318 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1319v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001320 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001321
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001322 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1323v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1324 events. Values:
1325 i Insert mode
1326 r Replace mode
1327 v Virtual Replace mode
1328
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001329 *v:key* *key-variable*
1330v:key Key of the current item of a Dictionary. Only valid while
1331 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1332 Read-only.
1333
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001334 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1335v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1336 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1337 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1338 The value is system dependent.
1339 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1340 command.
1341 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1342 in a different language than what is used for character
1343 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1344
1345 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1346v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1347 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1348 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1349 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1350 command. See |multi-lang|.
1351
1352 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001353v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
1354 expressions. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1355 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001356
1357 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1358v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1359 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1360 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1361 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1362< Read-only.
1363
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001364 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1365v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1366 See |profiling|.
1367
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001368 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1369v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1370 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1371 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1372 Read-only.
1373
1374 *v:register* *register-variable*
1375v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1376 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1377
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001378 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1379v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1380 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1381 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1382 typed command.
1383 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1384 hit-enter prompt.
1385
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001386 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1387v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1388 Read-only.
1389
1390 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1391v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1392 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1393 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1394 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1395 executed. Read-only.
1396 Example: >
1397 :!mv foo bar
1398 :if v:shell_error
1399 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1400 :endif
1401< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1402
1403 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1404v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1405
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001406 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1407v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1408 the swap file found. Read-only.
1409
1410 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1411v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1412 for handling an existing swap file:
1413 'o' Open read-only
1414 'e' Edit anyway
1415 'r' Recover
1416 'd' Delete swapfile
1417 'q' Quit
1418 'a' Abort
1419 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
1420 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1421 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1422
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001423 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001424v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001425 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
1426 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
1427 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
1428
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001429 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1430v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1431 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1432 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1433 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1434 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1435 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1436 terminal.
1437 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1438 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1439 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1440 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1441 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1442
1443 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1444v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1445 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1446 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1447 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1448
1449 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1450v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1451 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1452 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1453 Example: >
1454 :try
1455 : throw "oops"
1456 :catch /.*/
1457 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1458 :endtry
1459< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1460
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001461 *v:val* *val-variable*
1462v:val Value of the current item of a List or Dictionary. Only valid
1463 while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
1464 |filter()|. Read-only.
1465
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001466 *v:version* *version-variable*
1467v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1468 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1469 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1470 compatibility.
1471 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1472 if has("patch123")
1473< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1474 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1475 completely different.
1476
1477 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1478v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1479
1480==============================================================================
14814. Builtin Functions *functions*
1482
1483See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1484
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001485(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001486
1487USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1488
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001489add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to List {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001490append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001491append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001492argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001493argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001494argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
1495browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1496 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001497browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001498bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001499buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1500bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001501bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1502bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1503bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1504byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001505byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001506call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1507 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001508char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001509cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001510col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001511complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
1512complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001513confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1514 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001515copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001516count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1517 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001518cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1519 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001520cursor( {lnum}, {col}) Number position cursor at {lnum}, {col}
1521deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001522delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1523did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001524diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1525diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001526empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001527escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001528eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001529eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001530executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1531exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
1532expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
1533filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001534filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1535 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001536finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
1537 String Find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001538findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001539 String Find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001540filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
1541fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001542foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1543foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001544foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001545foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001546foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001547function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001548get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001549get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001550getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1551 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001552getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1553getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001554getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
1555getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1556getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001557getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001558getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001559getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1560getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001561getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001562getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001563getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001564getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1565getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001566getloclist({nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001567getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001568getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001569getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001570getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1571getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1572getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in window {nr}
1573glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1574globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1575has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001576has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001577hasmapto( {what} [, {mode}]) Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
1578histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1579histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1580histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1581histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1582hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1583hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1584hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001585iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1586indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001587index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1588 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001589input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1590 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001591inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001592inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1593inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001594inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001595insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001596isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001597islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001598items( {dict}) List List of key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001599join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001600keys( {dict}) List List of keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001601len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1602libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001603libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1604line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1605line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001606lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001607localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001608map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001609maparg( {name}[, {mode}]) String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1610mapcheck( {name}[, {mode}]) String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001611match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001612 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001613matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001614 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001615matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1616 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001617matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1618 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001619max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1620min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001621mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1622 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001623mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001624nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1625nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
1626prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00001627printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001628pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001629range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1630 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001631readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1632 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001633remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1634 String send expression
1635remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1636remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1637 Number check for reply string
1638remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1639remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1640 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001641remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001642remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001643rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1644repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1645resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001646reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001647search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001648searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
1649 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001650searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001651 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001652searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
1653 List search for other end of start/end pair
1654searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags}])
1655 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001656server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1657 Number send reply string
1658serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1659setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1660setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1661setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001662setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1663 Number modify location list using {list}
1664setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001665setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001666setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001667simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001668sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001669soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001670spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001671spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1672 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001673split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
1674 List make List from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001675strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001676stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1677 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001678string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001679strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1680strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1681 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001682strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1683 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001684strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001685submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001686substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1687 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001688synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001689synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1690 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1691synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001692system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001693tabpage( [{expr}]) Number number of current tab page
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00001694taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
1695tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001696tempname() String name for a temporary file
1697tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1698toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001699tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1700 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001701type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001702values( {dict}) List List of values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001703virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1704visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1705winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1706wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1707winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1708winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001709winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001710winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001711winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001712writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1713 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001714
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001715add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
1716 Append the item {expr} to List {list}. Returns the resulting
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001717 List. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001718 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1719 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
1720< Note that when {expr} is a List it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001721 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001722 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001723
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001724
1725append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001726 When {expr} is a List: Append each item of the List as a text
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001727 line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001728 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1729 the current buffer.
1730 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001731 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1732 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001733 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001734 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001735<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001736 *argc()*
1737argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1738 current window. See |arglist|.
1739
1740 *argidx()*
1741argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1742 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1743
1744 *argv()*
1745argv({nr}) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
1746 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1747 Example: >
1748 :let i = 0
1749 :while i < argc()
1750 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1751 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1752 : let i = i + 1
1753 :endwhile
1754<
1755 *browse()*
1756browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1757 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1758 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1759 The input fields are:
1760 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1761 {title} title for the requester
1762 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1763 {default} default file name
1764 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1765 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1766
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001767 *browsedir()*
1768browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1769 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1770 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1771 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1772 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1773 to be used.
1774 The input fields are:
1775 {title} title for the requester
1776 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1777 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1778 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1779
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001780bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1781 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1782 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001783 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001784 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001785 exactly. The name can be:
1786 - Relative to the current directory.
1787 - A full path.
1788 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1789 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001790 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1791 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1792 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1793 long name to be able to find them.
1794 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1795 file name.
1796 *buffer_exists()*
1797 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1798
1799buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1800 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1801 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001802 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001803
1804bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1805 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1806 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001807 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001808
1809bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1810 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1811 ":ls" command.
1812 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1813 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1814 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1815 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1816 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1817 match an empty string is returned.
1818 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1819 alternate buffer.
1820 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1821 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1822 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1823 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1824 buffers are searched for.
1825 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1826 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1827 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1828< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1829 string is returned. >
1830 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1831 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1832 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1833 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1834< *buffer_name()*
1835 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1836
1837 *bufnr()*
1838bufnr({expr}) The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
1839 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
1840 above. If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
1841 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1842 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1843< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1844 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1845 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1846 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1847 *buffer_number()*
1848 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1849 *last_buffer_nr()*
1850 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1851
1852bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1853 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1854 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1855 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1856 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1857
1858 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1859
1860< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1861 |:wincmd|.
1862
1863
1864byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1865 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1866 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1867 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1868 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1869 one.
1870 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1871 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1872 feature}
1873
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001874byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1875 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1876 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1877 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1878 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1879 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1880 Example : >
1881 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1882< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1883 same: >
1884 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1885 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1886< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1887 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1888 is returned.
1889
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001890call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001891 Call function {func} with the items in List {arglist} as
1892 arguments.
1893 {func} can either be a Funcref or the name of a function.
1894 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1895 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001896 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1897 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001898
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001899char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1900 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1901 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1902 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1903< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00001904 char2nr("?") returns 225
1905 char2nr("?"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001906< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001907
1908cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1909 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1910 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1911 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1912 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1913 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1914 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00001915 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001916
1917 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001918col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001919 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1920 . the cursor position
1921 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1922 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1923 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1924 returned)
1925 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1926 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1927 Examples: >
1928 col(".") column of cursor
1929 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1930 col("'t") column of mark t
1931 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1932< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
1933 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1934 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1935 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
1936 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
1937 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
1938 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
1939 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
1940<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001941
1942complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
1943 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
1944 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
1945 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
1946 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
1947 the list.
1948
1949complete_check() *complete_check()*
1950 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
1951 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
1952 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
1953 zero otherwise.
1954 Only to be used by the function specified with the
1955 'completefunc' option.
1956
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001957 *confirm()*
1958confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1959 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
1960 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
1961 choice this is 1.
1962 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
1963 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
1964 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
1965 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
1966 used (and translated).
1967 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
1968 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
1969 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
1970 by '\n', e.g. >
1971 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
1972< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
1973 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
1974 not need to be the first letter: >
1975 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
1976< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
1977 the default shortcut key.
1978 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
1979 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
1980 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
1981 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
1982 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
1983 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
1984 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
1985 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
1986 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
1987 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
1988 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
1989
1990 An example: >
1991 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
1992 :if choice == 0
1993 : echo "make up your mind!"
1994 :elseif choice == 3
1995 : echo "tasteful"
1996 :else
1997 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
1998 :endif
1999< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2000 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
2001 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
2002 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2003 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2004 the horizontal layout is always used.
2005
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002006 *copy()*
2007copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2008 different from using {expr} directly.
2009 When {expr} is a List a shallow copy is created. This means
2010 that the original List can be changed without changing the
2011 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
2012 changing an item changes the contents of both Lists. Also see
2013 |deepcopy()|.
2014
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002015count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002016 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002017 in List or Dictionary {comp}.
2018 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
2019 {start} can only be used with a List.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002020 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2021
2022
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002023 *cscope_connection()*
2024cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2025 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2026 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2027 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2028 if there are no cscope connections;
2029 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2030
2031 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2032 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2033
2034 {num} Description of existence check
2035 ----- ------------------------------
2036 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2037 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2038 {dbpath}.
2039 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2040 {dbpath}.
2041 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2042 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2043 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2044 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2045
2046 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2047
2048 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2049
2050 # pid database name prepend path
2051 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2052<
2053 Invocation Return Val ~
2054 ---------- ---------- >
2055 cscope_connection() 1
2056 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2057 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2058 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2059 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2060 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2061 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2062 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2063<
2064cursor({lnum}, {col}) *cursor()*
2065 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002066 The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002067 Does not change the jumplist.
2068 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2069 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2070 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002071 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002072 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2073 line.
2074 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
2075
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002076
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002077deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002078 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2079 different from using {expr} directly.
2080 When {expr} is a List a full copy is created. This means
2081 that the original List can be changed without changing the
2082 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a List, a copy for it
2083 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
2084 not change the contents of the original List.
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002085 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained List or Dictionary
2086 is only copied once. All references point to this single
2087 copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a List or
2088 Dictionary results in a new copy. This also means that a
2089 cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002090 *E724*
2091 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002092 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2093 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002094 Also see |copy()|.
2095
2096delete({fname}) *delete()*
2097 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002098 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2099 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002100 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002101
2102 *did_filetype()*
2103did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2104 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2105 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2106 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2107 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2108 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2109 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2110 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2111 file.
2112
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002113diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2114 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2115 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2116 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2117 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2118 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2119 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2120 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2121
2122diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2123 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2124 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2125 diff change zero is returned.
2126 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2127 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2128 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2129 line.
2130 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2131 syntax information about the highlighting.
2132
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002133empty({expr}) *empty()*
2134 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002135 A List or Dictionary is empty when it does not have any items.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002136 A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2137 For a long List this is much faster then comparing the length
2138 with zero.
2139
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002140escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2141 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2142 backslash. Example: >
2143 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2144< results in: >
2145 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002146
2147< *eval()*
2148eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2149 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2150 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
2151 Also works for Funcrefs that refer to existing functions.
2152
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002153eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2154 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2155 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2156 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2157 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2158
2159executable({expr}) *executable()*
2160 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2161 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002162 arguments.
2163 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2164 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2165 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2166 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2167 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2168 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2169 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2170 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2171 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2172 extension.
2173 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2174 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002175 The result is a Number:
2176 1 exists
2177 0 does not exist
2178 -1 not implemented on this system
2179
2180 *exists()*
2181exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2182 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2183 which contains one of these:
2184 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2185 not if it really works)
2186 +option-name Vim option that works.
2187 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2188 done by comparing with an empty
2189 string)
2190 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2191 or user defined function (see
2192 |user-functions|).
2193 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002194 |internal-variables|). Also works
2195 for |curly-braces-names|, Dictionary
2196 entries, List items, etc. Beware that
2197 this may cause functions to be
2198 invoked cause an error message for an
2199 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002200 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2201 command or command modifier |:command|.
2202 Returns:
2203 1 for match with start of a command
2204 2 full match with a command
2205 3 matches several user commands
2206 To check for a supported command
2207 always check the return value to be 2.
2208 #event autocommand defined for this event
2209 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2210 pattern (the pattern is taken
2211 literally and compared to the
2212 autocommand patterns character by
2213 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002214 #group autocommand group exists
2215 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2216 event.
2217 #group#event#pattern
2218 autocommand defined for this group,
2219 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002220 ##event autocommand for this event is
2221 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002222 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2223
2224 Examples: >
2225 exists("&shortname")
2226 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2227 exists("*strftime")
2228 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2229 exists("bufcount")
2230 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002231 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002232 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002233 exists("#filetypeindent")
2234 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2235 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002236 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002237< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2238 name.
2239 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2240 variable itself! For example: >
2241 exists(bufcount)
2242< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
2243 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
2244 exists.
2245
2246expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2247 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2248 The result is a String.
2249
2250 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2251 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2252 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2253
2254 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2255 for a non-existing file is not included.
2256
2257 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2258 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2259 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2260
2261 % current file name
2262 # alternate file name
2263 #n alternate file name n
2264 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2265 <afile> autocmd file name
2266 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2267 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2268 <sfile> sourced script file name
2269 <cword> word under the cursor
2270 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2271 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2272 message |server2client()|
2273 Modifiers:
2274 :p expand to full path
2275 :h head (last path component removed)
2276 :t tail (last path component only)
2277 :r root (one extension removed)
2278 :e extension only
2279
2280 Example: >
2281 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2282< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2283 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2284 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2285< Use this: >
2286 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2287< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2288 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2289 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2290 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2291 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2292<
2293 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2294 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2295 to modify normal file names.
2296
2297 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2298 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2299 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2300 '/' added.
2301
2302 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2303 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2304 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2305 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002306 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2307 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2308 files in the current directory and below: >
2309 :echo expand("**/README")
2310<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002311 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2312 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2313 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2314 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2315 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2316 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2317 "$FOOBAR".
2318
2319 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2320 getting the raw output of an external command.
2321
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002322extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
2323 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both Lists or both Dictionaries.
2324
2325 If they are Lists: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
2326 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2327 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2328 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2329 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002330 Examples: >
2331 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2332 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002333< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2334 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002335 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002336<
2337 If they are Dictionaries:
2338 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2339 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2340 used to decide what to do:
2341 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2342 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00002343 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002344 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2345
2346 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2347 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2348 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2349 Returns {expr1}.
2350
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002351
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002352filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2353 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2354 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2355 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2356 expression, which is used as a String.
2357 *file_readable()*
2358 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2359
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002360
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002361filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
2362 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
2363 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
2364 is zero remove the item from the List or Dictionary.
2365 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
2366 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
2367 Examples: >
2368 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2369< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2370 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2371< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2372 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002373< Removes all the items, thus clears the List or Dictionary.
2374
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002375 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2376 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2377 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2378
2379 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
2380 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002381 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002382
2383< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002384 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2385 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002386
2387
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002388finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
2389 Find directory {name} in {path}.
2390 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2391 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
2392 {name} in {path}.
2393 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
2394 When the found directory is below the current directory a
2395 relative path is returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
2396 Example: >
2397 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2398< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2399 the file "tags.vim".
2400 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2401
2402findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2403 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
2404
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002405filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2406 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2407 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2408 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2409 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2410
2411fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2412 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2413 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2414 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2415 Example: >
2416 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2417< results in: >
2418 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2419< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2420 |expand()| first then.
2421
2422foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2423 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2424 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2425 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2426
2427foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2428 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2429 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2430 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2431
2432foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2433 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2434 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2435 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2436 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2437 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2438 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2439 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2440 previous line is usually available.
2441
2442 *foldtext()*
2443foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2444 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2445 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2446 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2447 The returned string looks like this: >
2448 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2449< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2450 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2451 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2452 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2453 options is removed.
2454 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2455
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002456foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2457 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2458 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2459 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2460 returned.
2461 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2462 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2463 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2464 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2465
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002466 *foreground()*
2467foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2468 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2469 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2470 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2471 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2472 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2473 Win32 console version}
2474
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002475
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002476function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002477 Return a Funcref variable that refers to function {name}.
2478 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2479
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002480
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002481garbagecollect() *garbagecollect()*
2482 Cleanup unused Lists and Dictionaries that have circular
2483 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2484 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2485 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2486 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2487 freed when they become unused.
2488 This is useful if you have deleted a very big List and/or
2489 Dictionary with circular references in a script that runs for
2490 a long time.
2491
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002492get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002493 Get item {idx} from List {list}. When this item is not
2494 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2495 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002496get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
2497 Get item with key {key} from Dictionary {dict}. When this
2498 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2499 {default} is omitted.
2500
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002501 *getbufline()*
2502getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002503 Return a List with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2504 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a List
2505 with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002506
2507 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2508
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002509 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2510 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002511
2512 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2513 lines in the buffer, an empty List is returned.
2514
2515 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2516 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002517 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty List is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002518 returned.
2519
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002520 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002521 non-existing buffers, an empty List is returned.
2522
2523 Example: >
2524 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002525
2526getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2527 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2528 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2529 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002530 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2531 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2532 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002533 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2534 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2535 returned, there is no error message.
2536 Examples: >
2537 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2538 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2539<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002540getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2541 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2542 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2543 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2544 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2545 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2546 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2547 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2548 not consumed. If a normal character is
2549 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2550 non-zero value is returned.
2551 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2552 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2553 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2554 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2555 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2556 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2557 user that a character has to be typed.
2558 There is no mapping for the character.
2559 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2560 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2561 sequence. Examples: >
2562 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2563 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2564< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2565 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2566 :function FindChar()
2567 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2568 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2569 : normal l
2570 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2571 : break
2572 : endif
2573 : endwhile
2574 :endfunction
2575
2576getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2577 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2578 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2579 These values are added together:
2580 2 shift
2581 4 control
2582 8 alt (meta)
2583 16 mouse double click
2584 32 mouse triple click
2585 64 mouse quadruple click
2586 128 Macintosh only: command
2587 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2588 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2589 with no modifier.
2590
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002591getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2592 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2593 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2594 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2595 Example: >
2596 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002597< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002598
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002599getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002600 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2601 byte count. The first column is 1.
2602 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2603 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002604 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2605
2606getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
2607 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
2608 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00002609 : normal Ex command
2610 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
2611 / forward search command
2612 ? backward search command
2613 @ |input()| command
2614 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002615 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2616 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
2617 otherwise.
2618 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002619
2620 *getcwd()*
2621getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2622 working directory.
2623
2624getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2625 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2626 given file {fname}.
2627 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2628 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2629
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002630getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2631 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2632 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2633 |hl-Normal|.
2634 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2635 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2636 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2637 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
2638 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not you your vimrc or
2639 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2640 for a valid name does not work.
2641 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2642 function just after the GUI has started.
2643
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002644getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2645 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2646 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2647 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2648 empty string is returned.
2649 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2650 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2651 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2652 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2653 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2654 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2655< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2656 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002657
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002658getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2659 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2660 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2661 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2662 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2663 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2664
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002665getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2666 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2667 file of the given file {fname}.
2668 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2669 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2670 results:
2671 Normal file "file"
2672 Directory "dir"
2673 Symbolic link "link"
2674 Block device "bdev"
2675 Character device "cdev"
2676 Socket "socket"
2677 FIFO "fifo"
2678 All other "other"
2679 Example: >
2680 getftype("/home")
2681< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2682 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2683 "file" are returned.
2684
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002685 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002686getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2687 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2688 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002689 getline(1)
2690< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2691 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2692 To get the line under the cursor: >
2693 getline(".")
2694< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2695 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2696
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002697 When {end} is given the result is a List where each item is a
2698 line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
2699 including line {end}.
2700 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2701 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002702 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty List is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002703 Example: >
2704 :let start = line('.')
2705 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2706 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2707
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00002708getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
2709 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
2710 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
2711 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002712 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
2713 returned. Otherwise, same as getqflist().
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002714
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002715getqflist() *getqflist()*
2716 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2717 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2718 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2719 bufname() to get the name
2720 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2721 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002722 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2723 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002724 nr error number
2725 text description of the error
2726 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2727 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2728
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002729 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
2730 returned.
2731
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002732 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2733 do something with them: >
2734 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2735 :for d in getqflist()
2736 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2737 :endfor
2738
2739
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002740getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002741 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002742 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002743 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2744< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002745 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002746 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2747 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2748 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002749 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2750
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002751
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002752getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2753 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2754 The value will be one of:
2755 "v" for |characterwise| text
2756 "V" for |linewise| text
2757 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2758 0 for an empty or unknown register
2759 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2760 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2761
2762 *getwinposx()*
2763getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2764 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2765 -1 if the information is not available.
2766
2767 *getwinposy()*
2768getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2769 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2770 information is not available.
2771
2772getwinvar({nr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2773 The result is the value of option or local window variable
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00002774 {varname} in window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current
2775 window is used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002776 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
2777 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
2778 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002779 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2780 Examples: >
2781 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2782 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2783<
2784 *glob()*
2785glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2786 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2787 characters.
2788 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2789 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2790
2791 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2792 any external command. Example: >
2793 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2794 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2795< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2796 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2797
2798 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2799 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2800
2801globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2802 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2803 the results. Example: >
2804 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2805< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2806 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2807 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2808 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2809 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2810 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2811 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2812 error message.
2813 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2814 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2815
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002816 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
2817 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
2818 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
2819 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
2820<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002821 *has()*
2822has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2823 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2824 string. See |feature-list| below.
2825 Also see |exists()|.
2826
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002827
2828has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
2829 The result is a Number, which is 1 if Dictionary {dict} has an
2830 entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
2831
2832
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002833hasmapto({what} [, {mode}]) *hasmapto()*
2834 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2835 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2836 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2837 {mode}.
2838 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2839 buffer are checked for a match.
2840 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2841 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2842 n Normal mode
2843 v Visual mode
2844 o Operator-pending mode
2845 i Insert mode
2846 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2847 c Command-line mode
2848 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2849
2850 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2851 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2852 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2853 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2854 :endif
2855< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
2856 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
2857
2858histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
2859 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
2860 one of: *hist-names*
2861 "cmd" or ":" command line history
2862 "search" or "/" search pattern history
2863 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
2864 "input" or "@" input line history
2865 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
2866 shifted to become the newest entry.
2867 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
2868 otherwise 0 is returned.
2869
2870 Example: >
2871 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
2872 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
2873< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2874
2875histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002876 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002877 for the possible values of {history}.
2878
2879 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
2880 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
2881 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
2882 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
2883 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
2884 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
2885 if it exists.
2886
2887 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
2888 otherwise 0 is returned.
2889
2890 Examples:
2891 Clear expression register history: >
2892 :call histdel("expr")
2893<
2894 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
2895 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
2896<
2897 The following three are equivalent: >
2898 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
2899 :call histdel("search", -1)
2900 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
2901<
2902 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
2903 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
2904 :call histdel("search", -1)
2905 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
2906
2907histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
2908 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
2909 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
2910 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
2911 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
2912 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
2913
2914 Examples:
2915 Redo the second last search from history. >
2916 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
2917
2918< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
2919 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
2920 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
2921<
2922histnr({history}) *histnr()*
2923 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
2924 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
2925 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
2926
2927 Example: >
2928 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
2929<
2930hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
2931 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
2932 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
2933 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
2934 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
2935 item.
2936 *highlight_exists()*
2937 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
2938
2939 *hlID()*
2940hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
2941 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
2942 zero is returned.
2943 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
2944 group. For example, to get the background color of the
2945 "Comment" group: >
2946 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
2947< *highlightID()*
2948 Obsolete name: highlightID().
2949
2950hostname() *hostname()*
2951 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002952 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002953 256 characters long are truncated.
2954
2955iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
2956 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
2957 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
2958 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
2959 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
2960 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
2961 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
2962 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
2963 can be done.
2964 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
2965 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
2966 UTF-8 and use: >
2967 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
2968< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
2969 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
2970 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
2971 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
2972
2973 *indent()*
2974indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
2975 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
2976 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
2977 |getline()|.
2978 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
2979
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002980
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002981index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002982 Return the lowest index in List {list} where the item has a
2983 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002984 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
2985 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002986 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
2987 case must match.
2988 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
2989 Example: >
2990 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00002991 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002992
2993
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002994input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002995 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
2996 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
2997 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002998 prompt to start a new line.
2999 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3000 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
3001 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
3002 for lines typed for input().
3003 Example: >
3004 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3005 : echo "Cheers!"
3006 :endif
3007<
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003008 If the optional {text} is present and not empty, this is used
3009 for the default reply, as if the user typed this. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003010 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3011
3012< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3013 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
3014 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
3015 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
3016 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
3017 more information. Example: >
3018 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3019<
3020 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3021 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003022 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3023 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3024 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3025 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3026 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3027 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3028 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3029
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003030 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003031 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3032 :function GetFoo()
3033 : call inputsave()
3034 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3035 : call inputrestore()
3036 :endfunction
3037
3038inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
3039 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
3040 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
3041 Example: >
3042 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3043 :if n != ""
3044 : let &sw = n
3045 :endif
3046< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3047 omitted an empty string is returned.
3048 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3049 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003050 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003051
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003052inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
3053 {textlist} must be a list of strings. This list is displayed,
3054 one string per line. The user will be prompted to enter a
3055 number, which is returned.
3056 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
3057 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
3058 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3059 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3060 is returned.
3061 Make sure {textlist} has less then 'lines' entries, otherwise
3062 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
3063 the start of the string. Example: >
3064 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3065 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3066
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003067inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
3068 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
3069 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3070 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3071 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3072
3073inputsave() *inputsave()*
3074 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3075 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3076 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3077 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3078 many inputrestore() calls.
3079 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3080
3081inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3082 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3083 two exceptions:
3084 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3085 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3086 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3087 |history| stack.
3088 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3089 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003090 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003091
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003092insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
3093 Insert {item} at the start of List {list}.
3094 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
3095 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
3096 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3097 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003098 Returns the resulting List. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003099 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3100 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3101 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003102< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003103 Note that when {item} is a List it is inserted as a single
3104 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
3105
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003106isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3107 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3108 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3109 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3110 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3111
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003112islocked({expr}) *islocked()*
3113 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3114 name of a locked variable.
3115 {expr} must be the name of a variable, List item or Dictionary
3116 entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
3117 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3118 :lockvar 1 alist
3119 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3120 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3121
3122< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
3123 message. Use |exists()| to check for existance.
3124
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003125items({dict}) *items()*
3126 Return a List with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3127 List item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict} entry
3128 and the value of this entry. The List is in arbitrary order.
3129
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003130
3131join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3132 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3133 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3134 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3135 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3136 add it there too: >
3137 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
3138< String items are used as-is. Lists and Dictionaries are
3139 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3140 The opposite function is |split()|.
3141
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003142keys({dict}) *keys()*
3143 Return a List with all the keys of {dict}. The List is in
3144 arbitrary order.
3145
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003146 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003147len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3148 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3149 used, as with |strlen()|.
3150 When {expr} is a List the number of items in the List is
3151 returned.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003152 When {expr} is a Dictionary the number of entries in the
3153 Dictionary is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003154 Otherwise an error is given.
3155
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003156 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3157libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3158 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3159 with single argument {argument}.
3160 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3161 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3162 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3163 limited.
3164 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3165 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3166 to Vim.
3167 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3168 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3169 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3170 null-terminated string.
3171 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3172
3173 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3174 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3175 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3176 very probably crash.
3177
3178 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3179 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3180 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3181 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3182 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3183 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3184 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3185 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3186 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3187 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3188
3189 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
3190 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
3191 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3192 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3193 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3194 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3195 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3196 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3197 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3198 feature is present}
3199 Examples: >
3200 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
3201 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
3202<
3203 *libcallnr()*
3204libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3205 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3206 int instead of a string.
3207 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3208 feature is present}
3209 Example (not very useful...): >
3210 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3211 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3212<
3213 *line()*
3214line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3215 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3216 . the cursor position
3217 $ the last line in the current buffer
3218 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3219 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003220 w0 first line visible in current window
3221 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003222 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
3223 Examples: >
3224 line(".") line number of the cursor
3225 line("'t") line number of mark t
3226 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3227< *last-position-jump*
3228 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3229 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3230 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003231
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003232line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3233 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3234 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3235 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3236 line returns 1.
3237 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3238 below the last line: >
3239 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3240< This is the file size plus one.
3241 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3242 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3243 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3244
3245lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3246 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3247 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3248 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3249 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3250 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3251 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3252
3253localtime() *localtime()*
3254 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3255 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3256
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003257
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003258map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
3259 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
3260 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3261 {string}.
3262 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
3263 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
3264 Example: >
3265 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003266< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003267
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003268 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003269 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003270 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3271 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003272
3273 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
3274 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003275 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003276
3277< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003278 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3279 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003280
3281
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003282maparg({name}[, {mode}]) *maparg()*
3283 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3284 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003285 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003286 "n" Normal
3287 "v" Visual
3288 "o" Operator-pending
3289 "i" Insert
3290 "c" Cmd-line
3291 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3292 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003293 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003294 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3295 command. The returned String has special characters
3296 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3297 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3298 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00003299 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
3300 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
3301 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
3302
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003303
3304mapcheck({name}[, {mode}]) *mapcheck()*
3305 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3306 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3307 {name}.
3308 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3309 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3310
3311 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3312 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3313 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3314 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3315 mapcheck("b") no no no
3316
3317 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3318 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3319 mapping for {name} exactly.
3320 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3321 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3322 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3323 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3324 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3325 then the global mappings.
3326 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3327 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3328 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3329 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3330 :endif
3331< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3332 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3333
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003334match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003335 When {expr} is a List then this returns the index of the first
3336 item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a String,
3337 Lists and Dictionaries are used as echoed.
3338 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3339 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3340 {pat} matches.
3341 A match at the first character or List item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003342 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3343 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003344 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
3345 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 2
3346< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003347 *strpbrk()*
3348 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3349 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3350< *strcasestr()*
3351 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3352 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3353 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3354<
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003355 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003356 is found in a String the search for the next one starts on
3357 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003358 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003359< In a List the search continues in the next item.
3360
3361 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
3362 {start} in a String or item {start} in a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003363 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003364 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003365 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3366< result is again "4". >
3367 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3368< result is again "4". >
3369 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3370< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003371 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3372 the index is counted from the end.
3373 If {start} is out of range (> strlen({expr} for a String or
3374 > len({expr} for a List) -1 is returned.
3375
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003376 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3377 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3378 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3379 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3380
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003381matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003382 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3383 the match. Example: >
3384 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3385< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003386 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3387 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3388 do it with matchend(): >
3389 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3390 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3391< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3392
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003393 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3394 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3395< results in "7". >
3396 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3397< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003398 When {expr} is a List the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003399
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003400matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
3401 Same as match(), but return a List. The first item in the
3402 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3403 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
3404 in |:substitute|.
3405 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3406
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003407matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003408 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3409 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3410< results in "ing".
3411 When there is no match "" is returned.
3412 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3413 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3414< results in "ing". >
3415 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3416< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003417 When {expr} is a List then the matching item is returned.
3418 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003419
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003420 *max()*
3421max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3422 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3423 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3424 An empty List results in zero.
3425
3426 *min()*
3427min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3428 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3429 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3430 An empty List results in zero.
3431
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003432 *mkdir()* *E749*
3433mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3434 Create directory {name}.
3435 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3436 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3437 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3438 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3439 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3440 for others.
3441 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3442 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3443 :if exists("*mkdir")
3444<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003445 *mode()*
3446mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3447 n Normal
3448 v Visual by character
3449 V Visual by line
3450 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3451 s Select by character
3452 S Select by line
3453 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3454 i Insert
3455 R Replace
3456 c Command-line
3457 r Hit-enter prompt
3458 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3459 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3460
3461nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3462 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3463 that is not blank. Example: >
3464 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3465< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3466 below it, zero is returned.
3467 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3468
3469nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3470 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3471 value {expr}. Examples: >
3472 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3473 nr2char(32) returns " "
3474< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3475 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3476< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3477 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3478 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003479 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003480
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003481prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3482 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3483 that is not blank. Example: >
3484 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3485< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3486 above it, zero is returned.
3487 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3488
3489
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003490printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
3491 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
3492 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003493 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003494< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003495 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003496
3497 Often used items are:
3498 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003499 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
3500 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003501 %c single byte
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003502 %d decimal number
3503 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
3504 %x hex number
3505 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
3506 %X hex number using upper case letters
3507 %o octal number
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003508 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003509
3510 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
3511 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
3512 the result.
3513
3514 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003515 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003516
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003517 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003518
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003519 flags
3520 Zero or more of the following flags:
3521
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003522 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
3523 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
3524 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
3525 of the number is increased to force the first
3526 character of the output string to a zero (except
3527 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
3528 precision of zero).
3529 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
3530 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
3531 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003532
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003533 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
3534 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
3535 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
3536 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
3537 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003538
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003539 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
3540 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
3541 The converted value is padded on the right with
3542 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
3543 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003544
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003545 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
3546 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003547
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003548 + A sign must always be placed before a number
3549 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
3550 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003551
3552 field-width
3553 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003554 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
3555 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
3556 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
3557 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003558
3559 .precision
3560 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
3561 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
3562 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
3563 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
3564 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003565 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003566
3567 type
3568 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
3569 be applied, see below.
3570
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003571 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
3572 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
3573 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
3574 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
3575 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
3576 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003577 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003578< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003579 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003580
3581 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003582
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003583 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
3584 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
3585 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
3586 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003587 conversions.
3588 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
3589 digits that must appear; if the converted value
3590 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
3591 zeros.
3592 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
3593 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
3594 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
3595 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
3596
3597 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
3598 resulting character is written.
3599
3600 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
3601 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
3602 specified are used.
3603
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003604 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
3605 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003606
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003607 Each argument can be Number or String and is converted
3608 automatically to fit the conversion specifier. Any other
3609 argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003610
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00003611 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003612 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
3613 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003614 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003615
3616
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003617pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
3618 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
3619 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
3620
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003621
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003622 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003623range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
3624 Returns a List with Numbers:
3625 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3626 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3627 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3628 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3629 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003630 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
3631 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
3632 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003633 Examples: >
3634 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
3635 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3636 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
3637 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003638 range(0) " []
3639 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003640<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003641 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003642readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003643 Read file {fname} and return a List, each line of the file as
3644 an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
3645 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3646 NL appears somewhere).
3647 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3648 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3649 added.
3650 - No CR characters are removed.
3651 Otherwise:
3652 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3653 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3654 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003655 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
3656 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
3657 lines of a file: >
3658 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
3659 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
3660 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003661< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
3662 are returned, or as many as there are.
3663 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003664 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
3665 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
3666 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003667 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3668 the result is an empty list.
3669 Also see |writefile()|.
3670
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003671 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3672remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3673 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3674 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
3675 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3676 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3677 remote_read() is stored there.
3678 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3679 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3680 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3681 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3682 and the result will be the empty string.
3683 Examples: >
3684 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3685 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3686<
3687
3688remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3689 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3690 This works like: >
3691 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3692< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3693 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3694 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00003695 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
3696 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003697 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3698 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3699 Win32 console version}
3700
3701
3702remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3703 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3704 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3705 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3706 name of a variable.
3707 Returns zero if none are available.
3708 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3709 See also |clientserver|.
3710 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3711 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3712 Examples: >
3713 :let repl = ""
3714 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3715
3716remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3717 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3718 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3719 See also |clientserver|.
3720 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3721 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3722 Example: >
3723 :echo remote_read(id)
3724<
3725 *remote_send()* *E241*
3726remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003727 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3728 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3729 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003730 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
3731 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
3732 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003733 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3734 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3735 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3736 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3737 up the display.
3738 Examples: >
3739 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3740 \ remote_read(serverid)
3741
3742 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3743 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3744 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3745 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003746<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003747remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
3748 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from List {list} and
3749 return it.
3750 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3751 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3752 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3753 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3754 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003755 Example: >
3756 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003757 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003758remove({dict}, {key})
3759 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3760 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3761< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3762
3763 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003764
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003765rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3766 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3767 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3768 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3769 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
3770 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3771
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003772repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
3773 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
3774 result. Example: >
3775 :let seperator = repeat('-', 80)
3776< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003777 When {expr} is a List the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003778 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003779 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
3780< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003781
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003782
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003783resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
3784 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
3785 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
3786 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
3787 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
3788 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
3789 stopped after 100 iterations.
3790 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
3791 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
3792 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
3793 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
3794 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
3795
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003796 *reverse()*
3797reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
3798 {list}.
3799 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3800 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
3801
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003802search({pattern} [, {flags}]) *search()*
3803 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003804 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003805 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
3806 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003807 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003808 'w' wrap around the end of the file
3809 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003810 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the
3811 cursor.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003812 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
3813
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003814 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
3815 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
3816 flag.
3817
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003818 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
3819 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
3820 flag is used).
3821 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
3822 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003823
3824 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
3825 :let n = 1
3826 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
3827 : exe "argument " . n
3828 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
3829 : " first search to find match at start of file
3830 : normal G$
3831 : let flags = "w"
3832 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
3833 : s/foo/bar/g
3834 : let flags = "W"
3835 : endwhile
3836 : update " write the file if modified
3837 : let n = n + 1
3838 :endwhile
3839<
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00003840
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00003841searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
3842 Search for the declaration of {name}.
3843
3844 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
3845 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
3846 first match in the function.
3847
3848 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
3849 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
3850 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
3851
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00003852 Moves the cursor to the found match.
3853 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
3854 Example: >
3855 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
3856 echo getline('.')
3857 endif
3858<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003859 *searchpair()*
3860searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
3861 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
3862 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
3863 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
3864 The search starts at the cursor. If a match is found, the
3865 cursor is positioned at it and the line number is returned.
3866 If no match is found 0 or -1 is returned and the cursor
3867 doesn't move. No error message is given.
3868
3869 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
3870 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
3871 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
3872 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
3873 typical use is: >
3874 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
3875< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
3876
3877 {flags} are used like with |search()|. Additionally:
3878 'n' do Not move the cursor
3879 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
3880 outer pair
3881 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
3882 the match; will only be > 1 when 'r' is used.
3883
3884 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
3885 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
3886 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
3887 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
3888 or a string.
3889 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
3890 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
3891 and -1 returned.
3892
3893 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
3894 patterns are used like it's on.
3895
3896 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
3897 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
3898 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
3899 if 1
3900 if 2
3901 endif 2
3902 endif 1
3903< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
3904 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
3905 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
3906 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
3907 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
3908 "endif 2".
3909 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
3910 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
3911 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
3912 the matching start.
3913
3914 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
3915
3916 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
3917 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
3918
3919< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
3920 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
3921 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
3922 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
3923 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
3924 match.
3925 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
3926
3927 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
3928
3929< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
3930 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
3931 highlighting recognized as strings: >
3932
3933 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
3934 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
3935<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003936 *searchpairpos()*
3937searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
3938 Same as searchpair(), but returns a List with the line and
3939 column position of the match. The first element of the List is
3940 the line number and the second element is the byte index of
3941 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
3942 returns [0, 0].
3943>
3944 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
3945<
3946 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
3947
3948searchpos({pattern} [, {flags}]) *searchpos()*
3949 Same as search(), but returns a List with the line and column
3950 position of the match. The first element of the List is the
3951 line number and the second element is the byte index of the
3952 column position of the match. If no match is found, returns
3953 [0, 0].
3954>
3955 :let [lnum,col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
3956<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003957server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
3958 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
3959 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
3960 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3961 Note:
3962 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003963 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003964 before calling any commands that waits for input.
3965 See also |clientserver|.
3966 Example: >
3967 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
3968<
3969serverlist() *serverlist()*
3970 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
3971 When there are no servers or the information is not available
3972 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
3973 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3974 Example: >
3975 :echo serverlist()
3976<
3977setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
3978 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
3979 {val}.
3980 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
3981 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
3982 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
3983 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3984 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
3985 Examples: >
3986 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
3987 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
3988< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3989
3990setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
3991 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
3992 {pos}. The first position is 1.
3993 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
3994 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003995 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
3996 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
3997 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
3998 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
3999 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004000 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
4001 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
4002 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
4003 line.
4004
4005setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004006 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
4007 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004008 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
4009 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004010 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
4011 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004012 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004013< When {line} is a List then line {lnum} and following lines
4014 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
4015 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
4016< This is equivalent to: >
4017 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
4018 : call setline(n, l)
4019 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004020< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
4021
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004022setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
4023 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
4024 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004025 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
4026 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004027 Otherwise, same as setqflist().
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004028
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004029setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004030 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
4031 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
4032 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
4033 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004034
4035 filename name of a file
4036 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004037 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004038 col column number
4039 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
4040 when zero: "col" is byte index
4041 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004042 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004043 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004044
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004045 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
4046 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
4047 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004048 If the "filename" entry is not present or neither the "lnum"
4049 or "pattern" entries are present, then the item will not be
4050 handled as an error line.
4051 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
4052 be used.
4053
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004054 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
4055 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
4056 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
4057 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
4058 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
4059 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
4060
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004061 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
4062
4063 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
4064 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
4065 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
4066
4067
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004068 *setreg()*
4069setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
4070 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
4071 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
4072 then the value is appended.
4073 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
4074 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
4075 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
4076 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
4077 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
4078 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
4079 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
4080 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
4081
4082 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
4083 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
4084 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
4085 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4086
4087 Examples: >
4088 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
4089 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
4090 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
4091
4092< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
4093 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004094 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004095 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
4096 ....
4097 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
4098
4099< You can also change the type of a register by appending
4100 nothing: >
4101 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
4102
4103setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
4104 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004105 {val}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004106 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
4107 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
4108 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
4109 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
4110 Examples: >
4111 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
4112 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
4113< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4114
4115simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
4116 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
4117 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
4118 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
4119 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
4120 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
4121 not removed either.
4122 Example: >
4123 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
4124< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
4125 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
4126 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
4127 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
4128 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
4129
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004130
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004131sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004132 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
4133 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4134 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
4135< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004136 Numbers sort after Strings, Lists after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004137 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004138 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
4139 When {func} is a Funcref or a function name, this function is
4140 called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
4141 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
4142 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
4143 sorts before the second one. Example: >
4144 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
4145 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
4146 endfunc
4147 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004148<
4149
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004150 *soundfold()*
4151soundfold({word})
4152 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
4153 language in 'spellang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004154 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
4155 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004156 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
4157 the method can be quite slow.
4158
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004159 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004160spellbadword([{sentence}])
4161 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
4162 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
4163 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
4164 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
4165
4166 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
4167 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
4168 result is an empty string.
4169
4170 The return value is a list with two items:
4171 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
4172 - The type of the spelling error:
4173 "bad" spelling mistake
4174 "rare" rare word
4175 "local" word only valid in another region
4176 "caps" word should start with Capital
4177 Example: >
4178 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
4179< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
4180
4181 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
4182 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
4183 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004184
4185 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004186spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004187 Return a List with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
4188 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
4189 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
4190
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004191 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
4192 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
4193 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
4194
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004195 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
4196 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00004197 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
4198 replace a line.
4199
4200 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004201 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
4202 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004203
4204 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004205 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
4206 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004207
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004208
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004209split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
4210 Make a List out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or empty
4211 each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004212 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004213 removing the matched characters.
4214 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
4215 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00004216 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
4217 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004218 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004219 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004220< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004221 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00004222< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
4223 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
4224< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004225 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
4226 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
4227< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004228
4229
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004230strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
4231 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
4232 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
4233 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
4234 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
4235 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
4236 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
4237 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
4238 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
4239 Examples: >
4240 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
4241 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
4242 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
4243 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
4244 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
4245 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004246< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4247 :if exists("*strftime")
4248
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004249stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
4250 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4251 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004252 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
4253 This can be used to find a second match: >
4254 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
4255 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
4256< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004257 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004258 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004259 See also |strridx()|.
4260 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004261 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
4262 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
4263 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004264< *strstr()* *strchr()*
4265 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
4266 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
4267
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004268 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004269string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
4270 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
4271 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004272 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004273 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004274 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004275 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004276 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004277 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004278 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004279
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004280 *strlen()*
4281strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004282 {expr} in bytes.
4283 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
4284 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004285
4286 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004287<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004288 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
4289 For other types an error is given.
4290 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004291
4292strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
4293 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004294 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004295 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
4296 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
4297 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
4298 end of the {src}. >
4299 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
4300 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
4301 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
4302 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
4303< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
4304 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
4305 strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3)
4306<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004307strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
4308 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4309 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
4310 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
4311 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
4312 match: >
4313 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
4314 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
4315< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004316 For pattern searches use |match()|.
4317 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004318 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004319 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004320 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004321< *strrchr()*
4322 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
4323 function strrchr().
4324
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004325strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
4326 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
4327 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
4328 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
4329 echo strtrans(@a)
4330< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
4331 starting a new line.
4332
4333submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
4334 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
4335 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
4336 the whole matched text is returned.
4337 Example: >
4338 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
4339< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
4340 A line break is included as a newline character.
4341
4342substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
4343 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
4344 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
4345 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
4346 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
4347 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
4348 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
4349 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
4350 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
4351 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
4352 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
4353 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
4354 unmodified.
4355 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
4356 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
4357 Example: >
4358 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
4359< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
4360 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
4361< results in "TESTING".
4362
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004363synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004364 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004365 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004366 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
4367 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004368
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004369 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004370 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
4371
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004372 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
4373 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
4374 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
4375 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
4376 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
4377 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
4378 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
4379
4380 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
4381 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
4382<
4383synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
4384 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
4385 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
4386 about a syntax item.
4387 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
4388 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
4389 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
4390 used (GUI, cterm or term).
4391 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
4392 {what} result
4393 "name" the name of the syntax item
4394 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
4395 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
4396 term: empty string)
4397 "bg" background color (like "fg")
4398 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
4399 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
4400 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
4401 "bold" "1" if bold
4402 "italic" "1" if italic
4403 "reverse" "1" if reverse
4404 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
4405 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004406 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004407
4408 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
4409 cursor): >
4410 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
4411<
4412synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
4413 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
4414 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
4415 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
4416 ":highlight link" are followed.
4417
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004418system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
4419 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
4420 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
4421 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
4422 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004423 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004424 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
4425 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
4426 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004427 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
4428 The result is a String. Example: >
4429
4430 :let files = system("ls")
4431
4432< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
4433 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
4434 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
4435 The command executed is constructed using several options:
4436 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
4437 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
4438 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
4439 concatenated commands.
4440
4441 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
4442 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00004443
4444 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
4445 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
4446 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004447 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
4448 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
4449
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004450
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004451tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
4452 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4453 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
4454 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
4455 page is returned (the tab page count).
4456 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
4457
4458
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004459taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
4460 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00004461 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
4462 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004463 name Name of the tag.
4464 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004465 defined.
4466 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
4467 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004468 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004469 entry depends on the language specific
4470 kind values generated by the ctags
4471 tool.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004472 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004473 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004474 The "kind" entry is only available when using Exuberant ctags
4475 generated tags file. More entries may be present, depending
4476 on the content of the tags file: access, implementation,
4477 inherits and signature. Refer to the ctags documentation for
4478 information about these fields. For C code the fields
4479 "struct", "class" and "enum" may appear, they give the name of
4480 the entity the tag is contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004481
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004482 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
4483 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004484
4485 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
4486
4487 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
4488 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
4489 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
4490
4491 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
4492 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
4493 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
4494
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00004495 *tagfiles()*
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00004496tagfiles() Returns a List with the file names used to search for tags for
4497 the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
4498
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004499
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004500tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
4501 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
4502 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
4503 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
4504 :let tmpfile = tempname()
4505 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
4506< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
4507 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
4508 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
4509 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
4510 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
4511 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
4512
4513tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
4514 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
4515 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
4516 the string).
4517
4518toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
4519 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
4520 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
4521 the string).
4522
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00004523tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
4524 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
4525 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
4526 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
4527 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
4528 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
4529 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
4530
4531 Examples: >
4532 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
4533< returns "Hello THere" >
4534 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
4535< returns "{blob}"
4536
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004537 *type()*
4538type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004539 Number: 0
4540 String: 1
4541 Funcref: 2
4542 List: 3
4543 Dictionary: 4
4544 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004545 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
4546 :if type(myvar) == type("")
4547 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
4548 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004549 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004550
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004551values({dict}) *values()*
4552 Return a List with all the values of {dict}. The List is in
4553 arbitrary order.
4554
4555
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004556virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
4557 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
4558 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
4559 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
4560 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
4561 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
4562 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
4563 set to 8, it returns 8.
4564 For the byte position use |col()|.
4565 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
4566 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
4567 The accepted positions are:
4568 . the cursor position
4569 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
4570 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
4571 plus one)
4572 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
4573 returned)
4574 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
4575 Examples: >
4576 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
4577 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
4578 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
4579< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
4580
4581visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
4582 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
4583 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
4584 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
4585 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
4586 block-wise Visual mode respectively.
4587 Example: >
4588 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
4589< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
4590 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
4591 Visual mode that was used.
4592
4593 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
4594 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
4595 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
4596 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
4597
4598 *winbufnr()*
4599winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004600 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004601 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
4602 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4603 Example: >
4604 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
4605<
4606 *wincol()*
4607wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
4608 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
4609 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
4610
4611winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
4612 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
4613 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
4614 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4615 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
4616 Examples: >
4617 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
4618<
4619 *winline()*
4620winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
4621 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
4622 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004623 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
4624 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004625
4626 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004627winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4628 window. The top window has number 1.
4629 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004630 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004631 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
4632 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
4633 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
4634 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
4635 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004636
4637 *winrestcmd()*
4638winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
4639 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
4640 are opened or closed and the current window is unchanged.
4641 Example: >
4642 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
4643 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
4644 :exe cmd
4645
4646winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
4647 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
4648 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
4649 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4650 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
4651 Examples: >
4652 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
4653 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
4654 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
4655 :endif
4656<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004657 *writefile()*
4658writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
4659 Write List {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
4660 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
4661 Number.
4662 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
4663 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
4664 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
4665 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
4666 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
4667 to writefile().
4668 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
4669 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
4670 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
4671 fails.
4672 Also see |readfile()|.
4673 To copy a file byte for byte: >
4674 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
4675 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
4676<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004677
4678 *feature-list*
4679There are three types of features:
46801. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
4681 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
4682 :if has("cindent")
46832. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
4684 Example: >
4685 :if has("gui_running")
4686< *has-patch*
46873. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
4688 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
4689 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
4690 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
4691
4692all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
4693amiga Amiga version of Vim.
4694arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
4695arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00004696autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004697balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00004698balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004699beos BeOS version of Vim.
4700browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
4701 work.
4702builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
4703byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
4704cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
4705clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
4706clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
4707cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
4708cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
4709cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
4710comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
4711cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
4712cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
4713compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
4714debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
4715dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
4716dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
4717diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
4718digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
4719dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
4720dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
4721dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
4722ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
4723emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
4724eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
4725 true, of course!
4726ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
4727extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
4728 |'hlsearch'|
4729farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
4730file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004731filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
4732 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004733find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
4734 |+find_in_path|.
4735fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
4736 Windows this is not present).
4737folding Compiled with |folding| support.
4738footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
4739fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
4740gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
4741gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
4742gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004743gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
4744gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00004745gui_kde Compiled with KDE GUI |KVim|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004746gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
4747gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
4748gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
4749gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
4750gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
4751gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
4752hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
4753iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
4754insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
4755 Insert mode.
4756jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
4757keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
4758langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
4759libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
4760linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
4761 support.
4762lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
4763listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
4764 and the argument list |arglist|.
4765localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
4766mac Macintosh version of Vim.
4767macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
4768menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
4769mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
4770modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
4771mouse Compiled with support mouse.
4772mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
4773mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
4774mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
4775mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
4776mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
4777mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
4778multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
4779multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
4780multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00004781mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004782netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00004783netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004784ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
4785os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
4786osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
4787path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
4788perl Compiled with Perl interface.
4789postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
4790printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004791profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004792python Compiled with Python interface.
4793qnx QNX version of Vim.
4794quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
4795rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
4796ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
4797scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
4798showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
4799signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
4800smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00004801sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004802statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
4803 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
4804sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00004805spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
4806syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004807syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
4808 current buffer.
4809system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
4810tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
4811 |tag-binary-search|.
4812tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
4813 |tag-old-static|.
4814tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
4815 files |tag-any-white|.
4816tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
4817terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
4818termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
4819textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
4820tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
4821 or terminfo file.
4822title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
4823toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
4824unix Unix version of Vim.
4825user_commands User-defined commands.
4826viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
4827vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
4828vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
4829virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
4830visual Compiled with Visual mode.
4831visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
4832 |blockwise-operators|.
4833vms VMS version of Vim.
4834vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
4835wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
4836wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
4837windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
4838winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
4839win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
4840win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
4841win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
4842win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
4843win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
4844writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
4845xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
4846xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
4847xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
4848xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
4849xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
4850xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
4851 xterm screen.
4852x11 Compiled with X11 support.
4853
4854 *string-match*
4855Matching a pattern in a String
4856
4857A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
4858the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
4859everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
4860like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
4861line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
4862with ".". Example: >
4863 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
4864 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
4865 aa
4866 xx
4867 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
4868 a
4869 x
4870
4871Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
4872"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
4873"\n".
4874
4875==============================================================================
48765. Defining functions *user-functions*
4877
4878New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
4879functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
4880commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
4881
4882The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
4883builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
4884avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
4885the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
4886
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004887It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
4888|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004889
4890 *local-function*
4891A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
4892can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
4893and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
4894function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
4895instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
4896
4897 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
4898:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
4899
4900:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004901 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4902 Funcref: >
4903 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004904
4905:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
4906 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
4907 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00004908<
4909 *:function-verbose*
4910When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
4911last defined. Example: >
4912
4913 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
4914 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
4915 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
4916<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00004917See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00004918
4919 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004920:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004921 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
4922 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
4923 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004924
4925 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4926 Funcref: >
4927 :function dict.init(arg)
4928< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
4929 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
4930 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
4931 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
4932 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
4933 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004934 *E127* *E122*
4935 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
4936 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
4937 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
4938 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004939
4940 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
4941
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004942 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
4943 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
4944 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
4945 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
4946 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
4947 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
4948 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004949
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004950 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
4951 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004952
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004953 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
4954 be invoked through an entry in a Dictionary. The
4955 local variable "self" will then be set to the
4956 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004957
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004958 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
4959 will not be changed by the function.
4960
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004961 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
4962:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
4963 by its own, without other commands.
4964
4965 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
4966:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004967 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4968 Funcref: >
4969 :delfunc dict.init
4970< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
4971 function is deleted if there are no more references to
4972 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004973 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
4974:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
4975 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
4976 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
4977 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
4978 the number 0 is returned.
4979 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
4980 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
4981
4982 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
4983 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
4984 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
4985 are executed first. This process applies to all
4986 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
4987 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
4988
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004989 *function-argument* *a:var*
4990An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
4991be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
4992 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
4993Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
4994arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
4995may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
4996as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004997can be 0). "a:000" is set to a List that contains these arguments. Note that
4998"a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
4999 *E742*
5000The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
5001However, if a List or Dictionary is used, you can changes their contents.
5002Thus you can pass a List to a function and have the function add an item to
5003it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a List or Dictionary
5004use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005005
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005006When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
5007to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
5008may be larger.
5009
5010It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
5011still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
5012until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
5013inside a function body.
5014
5015 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005016Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
5017will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
5018accessed with "g:".
5019
5020Example: >
5021 :function Table(title, ...)
5022 : echohl Title
5023 : echo a:title
5024 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005025 : echo a:0 . " items:"
5026 : for s in a:000
5027 : echon ' ' . s
5028 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005029 :endfunction
5030
5031This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005032 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
5033 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005034
5035To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
5036 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
5037 : if a:n2 == 0
5038 : return "fail"
5039 : endif
5040 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
5041 : return "ok"
5042 :endfunction
5043
5044This function can then be called with: >
5045 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
5046 :if success == "ok"
5047 : echo div
5048 :endif
5049
5050An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
5051with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
5052 :function Foo()
5053 : execute Bar()
5054 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
5055 :endfunction
5056
5057 :function Bar()
5058 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
5059 :endfunction
5060
5061The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
5062the caller to set the names.
5063
5064 *:cal* *:call* *E107*
5065:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
5066 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
5067 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
5068 used.
5069 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
5070 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
5071 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
5072 function.
5073 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
5074 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
5075 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
5076 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
5077 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
5078 this works:
5079 *function-range-example* >
5080 :function Mynumber(arg)
5081 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
5082 :endfunction
5083 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
5084<
5085 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
5086 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
5087 the range.
5088
5089 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
5090
5091 :function Cont() range
5092 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
5093 :endfunction
5094 :4,8call Cont()
5095<
5096 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
5097 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
5098
5099 *E132*
5100The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
5101option.
5102
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005103
5104AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005105 *autoload-functions*
5106When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005107only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
5108the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
5109
5110
5111Using an autocommand ~
5112
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005113This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
5114
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005115The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
5116You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
5117That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
5118again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
5119
5120Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
5121function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005122
5123 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
5124
5125The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
5126"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
5127
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005128
5129Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005130 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005131This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
5132
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005133Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
5134exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
5135like this: >
5136
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005137 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005138
5139When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
5140"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
5141"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
5142then define the function like this: >
5143
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005144 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005145 echo "Done!"
5146 endfunction
5147
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00005148The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005149exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
5150called.
5151
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005152It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
5153a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005154
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005155 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005156
5157Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
5158
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005159This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
5160
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005161 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005162
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00005163However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
5164for an unknown variable.
5165
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005166When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
5167be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
5168
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005169 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
5170 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005171
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00005172Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
5173defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
5174function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005175And you will get an error message every time.
5176
5177Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
5178other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
5179Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005180
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005181==============================================================================
51826. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
5183
5184Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
5185This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
5186{} like this: >
5187 my_{adjective}_variable
5188
5189When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
5190that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
5191name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
5192"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
5193"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
5194
5195One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
5196value. For example, the statement >
5197 echo my_{&background}_message
5198
5199would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
5200on the current value of 'background'.
5201
5202You can use multiple brace pairs: >
5203 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
5204..or even nest them: >
5205 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
5206where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
5207
5208However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005209variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005210 :let foo='a + b'
5211 :echo c{foo}d
5212.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
5213
5214 *curly-braces-function-names*
5215You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
5216Example: >
5217 :let func_end='whizz'
5218 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
5219
5220This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
5221
5222==============================================================================
52237. Commands *expression-commands*
5224
5225:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
5226 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
5227 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
5228 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
5229 is created.
5230
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005231:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
5232 Set a list item to the result of the expression
5233 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
5234 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
5235 the index can be repeated.
5236 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
5237
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005238 *E711* *E719*
5239:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005240 Set a sequence of items in a List to the result of the
5241 expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
5242 correct number of items.
5243 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
5244 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
5245 When the selected range of items is partly past the
5246 end of the list, items will be added.
5247
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005248 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005249:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
5250:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
5251:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
5252 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
5253 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
5254
5255
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005256:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
5257 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
5258 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005259:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
5260 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
5261 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
5262 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005263
5264:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
5265 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
5266 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
5267 must be the name of a writable register (see
5268 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
5269 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
5270 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
5271 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
5272 characterwise.
5273 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
5274 :let @/ = ""
5275< This is different from searching for an empty string,
5276 that would match everywhere.
5277
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005278:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
5279 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
5280 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
5281
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005282:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
5283 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005284 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
5285 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005286 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
5287 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00005288 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005289 Example: >
5290 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005291
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005292:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
5293 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
5294 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
5295
5296:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
5297:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
5298 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
5299 {expr1}.
5300
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005301:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005302:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5303:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
5304:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005305 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
5306 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
5307
5308:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005309:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5310:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
5311:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005312 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
5313 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
5314
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005315:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005316 {expr1} must evaluate to a List. The first item in
5317 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
5318 {name2}, etc.
5319 The number of names must match the number of items in
5320 the List.
5321 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
5322 command as mentioned above.
5323 Example: >
5324 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005325< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
5326 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
5327 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
5328 :let x = [0, 1]
5329 :let i = 0
5330 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
5331 :echo x
5332< The result is [0, 2].
5333
5334:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
5335:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
5336:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
5337 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
5338 List item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005339
5340:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005341 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the List may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005342 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
5343 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
5344 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005345 Example: >
5346 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
5347<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005348:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
5349:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
5350:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
5351 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
5352 List item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005353 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005354:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005355 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
5356 here: *E738*
5357 g: global variables.
5358 b: local buffer variables.
5359 w: local window variables.
5360 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005361
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005362:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
5363 variable is indicated before the value:
5364 <nothing> String
5365 # Number
5366 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005367
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005368
5369:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
5370 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
5371 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
5372 may also be a List or Dictionary item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005373 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
5374 variables.
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005375 One or more items from a List can be removed: >
5376 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
5377 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
5378< One item from a Dictionary can be removed at a time: >
5379 :unlet dict['two']
5380 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005381
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005382:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
5383 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
5384 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
5385 A locked variable can be deleted: >
5386 :lockvar v
5387 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
5388 :unlet v
5389< *E741*
5390 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
5391 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
5392
5393 [depth] is relevant when locking a List or Dictionary.
5394 It specifies how deep the locking goes:
5395 1 Lock the List or Dictionary itself,
5396 cannot add or remove items, but can
5397 still change their values.
5398 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
5399 the items. If an item is a List or
5400 Dictionary, cannot add or remove
5401 items, but can still change the
5402 values.
5403 3 Like 2 but for the List/Dictionary in
5404 the List/Dictionary, one level deeper.
5405 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a List
5406 or Dictionary the values cannot be changed.
5407 *E743*
5408 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
5409 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
5410 loops.
5411
5412 Note that when two variables refer to the same List
5413 and you lock one of them, the List will also be locked
5414 when used through the other variable. Example: >
5415 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
5416 :let cl = l
5417 :lockvar l
5418 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
5419< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
5420 See |deepcopy()|.
5421
5422
5423:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
5424 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
5425 opposite of |:lockvar|.
5426
5427
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005428:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
5429:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5430 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5431
5432 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
5433 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
5434 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
5435 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
5436 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
5437 part was not executed either.
5438
5439 You can use this to remain compatible with older
5440 versions: >
5441 :if version >= 500
5442 : version-5-specific-commands
5443 :endif
5444< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
5445 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
5446 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
5447 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
5448 avoid problems: >
5449 :if version >= 600
5450 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
5451 :endif
5452<
5453 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
5454 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
5455
5456 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
5457:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5458 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
5459 executed.
5460
5461 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
5462:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
5463 is no extra ":endif".
5464
5465:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005466 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005467:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
5468 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5469 When an error is detected from a command inside the
5470 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005471 Example: >
5472 :let lnum = 1
5473 :while lnum <= line("$")
5474 :call FixLine(lnum)
5475 :let lnum = lnum + 1
5476 :endwhile
5477<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005478 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005479 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005480
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005481:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005482:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
5483 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005484 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005485 value of each item.
5486 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005487 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00005488 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
5489 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005490 :for item in copy(mylist)
5491< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
5492 next item in the list, before executing the commands
5493 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
5494 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
5495 it will not be found. Thus the following example
5496 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
5497 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005498 :call remove(mylist, 0)
5499 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005500< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
5501 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
5502 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005503 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
5504 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
5505 to allow multiple item types.
5506
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005507:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
5508:endfo[r]
5509 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
5510 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
5511 {var2}, etc. Example: >
5512 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
5513 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
5514 :endfor
5515<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005516 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005517:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
5518 to the start of the loop.
5519 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5520 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5521 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5522 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5523 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5524 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005525
5526 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005527:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
5528 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
5529 ":endfor".
5530 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5531 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5532 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5533 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5534 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5535 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005536
5537:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
5538:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
5539 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
5540 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
5541 or autocommand invocations.
5542
5543 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
5544 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
5545 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
5546 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
5547 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
5548 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
5549 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
5550 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
5551 Example: >
5552 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
5553 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
5554<
5555 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
5556 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
5557 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
5558 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
5559 processing is not terminated.
5560
5561 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
5562 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
5563 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
5564 other errors are converted to a value of the form
5565 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
5566 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
5567 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
5568 the error number.
5569 Examples: >
5570 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
5571 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
5572<
5573 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
5574:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
5575 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
5576 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
5577 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
5578 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
5579 commands are skipped.
5580 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
5581 Examples: >
5582 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
5583 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
5584 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
5585 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
5586 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
5587 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
5588 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
5589 :catch " same as /.*/
5590<
5591 Another character can be used instead of / around the
5592 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
5593 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
5594 {pattern}.
5595 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
5596 an error message because it may vary in different
5597 locales.
5598
5599 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
5600:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
5601 are executed whenever the part between the matching
5602 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
5603 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
5604 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
5605 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
5606
5607 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
5608:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
5609 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
5610 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
5611 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
5612 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
5613 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
5614 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
5615 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
5616 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
5617 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
5618 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
5619 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
5620 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
5621 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
5622 is terminated.
5623 Example: >
5624 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
5625<
5626
5627 *:ec* *:echo*
5628:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
5629 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
5630 Also see |:comment|.
5631 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
5632 cursor to the first column.
5633 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5634 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5635 Example: >
5636 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
5637< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
5638 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
5639 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
5640 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
5641 command. Example: >
5642 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
5643<
5644 *:echon*
5645:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
5646 |:comment|.
5647 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5648 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5649 Example: >
5650 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
5651<
5652 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
5653 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
5654 command: >
5655 :!echo % --> filename
5656< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
5657 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
5658< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
5659 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
5660 :echo % --> nothing
5661< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
5662 :echo "%" --> %
5663< This just echoes the '%' character. >
5664 :echo expand("%") --> filename
5665< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
5666
5667 *:echoh* *:echohl*
5668:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
5669 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
5670 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
5671 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
5672< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
5673 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
5674
5675 *:echom* *:echomsg*
5676:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
5677 message in the |message-history|.
5678 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5679 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
5680 displayed, not interpreted.
5681 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5682 Example: >
5683 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
5684<
5685 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
5686:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
5687 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
5688 script or function the line number will be added.
5689 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5690 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
5691 the message is raised as an error exception instead
5692 (see |try-echoerr|).
5693 Example: >
5694 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
5695< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
5696 And to get a beep: >
5697 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
5698<
5699 *:exe* *:execute*
5700:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
5701 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
5702 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
5703 used as the processed command, command line editing
5704 keys are not recognized.
5705 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5706 Examples: >
5707 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
5708 :execute "normal " count . "w"
5709<
5710 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
5711 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
5712 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
5713
5714< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
5715 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
5716 command: >
5717 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
5718< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
5719
5720 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005721 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
5722 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005723 :execute 'while i > 5'
5724 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
5725<
5726 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
5727 completely in the executed string: >
5728 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
5729<
5730
5731 *:comment*
5732 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
5733 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
5734 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
5735 comment. Example: >
5736 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
5737
5738==============================================================================
57398. Exception handling *exception-handling*
5740
5741The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
5742explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
5743
5744Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
5745|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
5746exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
5747
5748
5749TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
5750
5751Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
5752use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
5753a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
5754 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
5755|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
5756a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
5757be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
5758which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
5759clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
5760
5761 :try
5762 : ...
5763 : ... TRY BLOCK
5764 : ...
5765 :catch /{pattern}/
5766 : ...
5767 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5768 : ...
5769 :catch /{pattern}/
5770 : ...
5771 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5772 : ...
5773 :finally
5774 : ...
5775 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
5776 : ...
5777 :endtry
5778
5779The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
5780appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
5781from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
5782 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
5783is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
5784script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
5785 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
5786lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
5787patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
5788after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
5789executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
5790":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
5791(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
5792continues in the following line as usual.
5793 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
5794":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
5795that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
5796finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
5797the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
5798the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
5799see |try-nesting|.
5800 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
5801remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
5802not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
5803try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
5804a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
5805execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
5806exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5807 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
5808thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
5809clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
5810catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
5811following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
5812clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5813
5814The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
5815a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
5816try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
5817from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
5818sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
5819":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
5820":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
5821from the finally clause.
5822 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
5823try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
5824clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
5825":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
5826clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
5827":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
5828this pending exception or command is discarded.
5829
5830For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
5831
5832
5833NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
5834
5835Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
5836conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
5837clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
5838catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
5839of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
5840checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
5841try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
5842otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
5843nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
5844one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
5845the inner try conditional.
5846
5847When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
5848finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
5849An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
5850thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
5851implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
5852as usual.
5853
5854For examples see |throw-catch|.
5855
5856
5857EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
5858
5859Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
5860'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
5861script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
5862finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
5863a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
5864(see |debug-scripts|).
5865
5866
5867THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
5868
5869You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
5870and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
5871 :throw 4711
5872 :throw "string"
5873< *throw-expression*
5874You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
5875first, and the result is thrown: >
5876 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
5877 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
5878
5879An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
5880command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
5881The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
5882 Example: >
5883
5884 :function! Foo(arg)
5885 : try
5886 : throw a:arg
5887 : catch /foo/
5888 : endtry
5889 : return 1
5890 :endfunction
5891 :
5892 :function! Bar()
5893 : echo "in Bar"
5894 : return 4710
5895 :endfunction
5896 :
5897 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
5898
5899This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
5900executed. >
5901 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
5902however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
5903
5904Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
5905abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
5906exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
5907 Example: >
5908
5909 :if Foo("arrgh")
5910 : echo "then"
5911 :else
5912 : echo "else"
5913 :endif
5914
5915Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
5916
5917 *catch-order*
5918Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
5919commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
5920command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
5921gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
5922 Example: >
5923
5924 :function! Foo(value)
5925 : try
5926 : throw a:value
5927 : catch /^\d\+$/
5928 : echo "Number thrown"
5929 : catch /.*/
5930 : echo "String thrown"
5931 : endtry
5932 :endfunction
5933 :
5934 :call Foo(0x1267)
5935 :call Foo('string')
5936
5937The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
5938An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
5939specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
5940specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
5941
5942 : catch /.*/
5943 : echo "String thrown"
5944 : catch /^\d\+$/
5945 : echo "Number thrown"
5946
5947The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
5948never taken.
5949
5950 *throw-variables*
5951If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
5952in the variable |v:exception|: >
5953
5954 : catch /^\d\+$/
5955 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
5956
5957You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
5958|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
5959exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
5960 Example: >
5961
5962 :function! Caught()
5963 : if v:exception != ""
5964 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
5965 : else
5966 : echo 'Nothing caught'
5967 : endif
5968 :endfunction
5969 :
5970 :function! Foo()
5971 : try
5972 : try
5973 : try
5974 : throw 4711
5975 : finally
5976 : call Caught()
5977 : endtry
5978 : catch /.*/
5979 : call Caught()
5980 : throw "oops"
5981 : endtry
5982 : catch /.*/
5983 : call Caught()
5984 : finally
5985 : call Caught()
5986 : endtry
5987 :endfunction
5988 :
5989 :call Foo()
5990
5991This displays >
5992
5993 Nothing caught
5994 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
5995 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
5996 Nothing caught
5997
5998A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
5999number in the script or function where it has been used: >
6000
6001 :function! LineNumber()
6002 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
6003 :endfunction
6004 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
6005<
6006 *try-nested*
6007An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
6008a surrounding try conditional: >
6009
6010 :try
6011 : try
6012 : throw "foo"
6013 : catch /foobar/
6014 : echo "foobar"
6015 : finally
6016 : echo "inner finally"
6017 : endtry
6018 :catch /foo/
6019 : echo "foo"
6020 :endtry
6021
6022The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
6023clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
6024conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
6025
6026 *throw-from-catch*
6027You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
6028catch clause: >
6029
6030 :function! Foo()
6031 : throw "foo"
6032 :endfunction
6033 :
6034 :function! Bar()
6035 : try
6036 : call Foo()
6037 : catch /foo/
6038 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
6039 : throw "bar"
6040 : endtry
6041 :endfunction
6042 :
6043 :try
6044 : call Bar()
6045 :catch /.*/
6046 : echo "Caught" v:exception
6047 :endtry
6048
6049This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
6050
6051 *rethrow*
6052There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
6053"v:exception" instead: >
6054
6055 :function! Bar()
6056 : try
6057 : call Foo()
6058 : catch /.*/
6059 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
6060 : throw v:exception
6061 : endtry
6062 :endfunction
6063< *try-echoerr*
6064Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
6065exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
6066Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
6067denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
6068the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
6069
6070 :try
6071 : try
6072 : asdf
6073 : catch /.*/
6074 : echoerr v:exception
6075 : endtry
6076 :catch /.*/
6077 : echo v:exception
6078 :endtry
6079
6080This code displays
6081
6082 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
6083
6084
6085CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
6086
6087Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
6088user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
6089an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
6090a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
6091catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
6092a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
6093normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
6094(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
6095to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
6096clause has been executed.)
6097Example: >
6098
6099 :try
6100 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
6101 : set ts=17
6102 :
6103 : " Do the hard work here.
6104 :
6105 :finally
6106 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
6107 : unlet s:saved_ts
6108 :endtry
6109
6110This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
6111changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
6112that function or script part.
6113
6114 *break-finally*
6115Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
6116a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
6117 Example: >
6118
6119 :let first = 1
6120 :while 1
6121 : try
6122 : if first
6123 : echo "first"
6124 : let first = 0
6125 : continue
6126 : else
6127 : throw "second"
6128 : endif
6129 : catch /.*/
6130 : echo v:exception
6131 : break
6132 : finally
6133 : echo "cleanup"
6134 : endtry
6135 : echo "still in while"
6136 :endwhile
6137 :echo "end"
6138
6139This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
6140
6141 :function! Foo()
6142 : try
6143 : return 4711
6144 : finally
6145 : echo "cleanup\n"
6146 : endtry
6147 : echo "Foo still active"
6148 :endfunction
6149 :
6150 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
6151
6152This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
6153extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
6154return value.)
6155
6156 *except-from-finally*
6157Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
6158a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
6159cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
6160exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
6161 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
6162working correctly: >
6163
6164 :try
6165 : try
6166 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
6167 : while 1
6168 : endwhile
6169 : finally
6170 : unlet novar
6171 : endtry
6172 :catch /novar/
6173 :endtry
6174 :echo "Script still running"
6175 :sleep 1
6176
6177If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
6178think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
6179|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
6180
6181
6182CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
6183
6184If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
6185watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
6186presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
6187exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
6188the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
6189the error exception is.
6190 Error exceptions have the following format: >
6191
6192 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
6193or >
6194 Vim:{errmsg}
6195
6196{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
6197the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
6198when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
6199a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
6200a space.
6201
6202Examples:
6203
6204The command >
6205 :unlet novar
6206normally produces the error message >
6207 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6208which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6209 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
6210
6211The command >
6212 :dwim
6213normally produces the error message >
6214 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6215which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6216 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6217
6218You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
6219 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
6220or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
6221 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
6222
6223Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
6224 :function nofunc
6225and >
6226 :delfunction nofunc
6227both produce the error message >
6228 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6229which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6230 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6231or >
6232 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6233respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
6234command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
6235 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
6236
6237Some commands like >
6238 :let x = novar
6239produce multiple error messages, here: >
6240 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6241 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6242Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
6243one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
6244 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
6245
6246You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
6247 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
6248
6249You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
6250 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
6251
6252You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
6253 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
6254<
6255 *catch-text*
6256NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
6257 :catch /No such variable/
6258only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
6259a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
6260cite the message text in a comment: >
6261 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
6262
6263
6264IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
6265
6266You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
6267
6268 :try
6269 : write
6270 :catch
6271 :endtry
6272
6273But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
6274catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
6275be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
6276
6277 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
6278
6279There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
6280writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
6281then hide the error from the user.
6282 It is much better to use >
6283
6284 :try
6285 : write
6286 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6287 :endtry
6288
6289which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
6290intentionally.
6291
6292For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
6293even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
6294command: >
6295 :silent! nunmap k
6296This works also when a try conditional is active.
6297
6298
6299CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
6300
6301When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
6302the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
6303script is not terminated, then.
6304 Example: >
6305
6306 :function! TASK1()
6307 : sleep 10
6308 :endfunction
6309
6310 :function! TASK2()
6311 : sleep 20
6312 :endfunction
6313
6314 :while 1
6315 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
6316 : try
6317 : if command == ""
6318 : continue
6319 : elseif command == "END"
6320 : break
6321 : elseif command == "TASK1"
6322 : call TASK1()
6323 : elseif command == "TASK2"
6324 : call TASK2()
6325 : else
6326 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
6327 : continue
6328 : endif
6329 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6330 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
6331 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
6332 : endtry
6333 :endwhile
6334
6335You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
6336a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
6337
6338For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
6339your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
6340command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
6341
6342
6343CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
6344
6345The commands >
6346
6347 :catch /.*/
6348 :catch //
6349 :catch
6350
6351catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
6352explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
6353a script in order to catch unexpected things.
6354 Example: >
6355
6356 :try
6357 :
6358 : " do the hard work here
6359 :
6360 :catch /MyException/
6361 :
6362 : " handle known problem
6363 :
6364 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6365 : echo "Script interrupted"
6366 :catch /.*/
6367 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
6368 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
6369 :endtry
6370 :" end of script
6371
6372Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
6373strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
6374specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
6375 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
6376by pressing CTRL-C: >
6377
6378 :while 1
6379 : try
6380 : sleep 1
6381 : catch
6382 : endtry
6383 :endwhile
6384
6385
6386EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
6387
6388Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
6389
6390 :autocmd User x try
6391 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
6392 :autocmd User x catch
6393 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
6394 :autocmd User x endtry
6395 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
6396 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
6397 :
6398 :try
6399 : doautocmd User x
6400 :catch
6401 : echo v:exception
6402 :endtry
6403
6404This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
6405
6406 *except-autocmd-Pre*
6407For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
6408command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
6409of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
6410abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
6411 Example: >
6412
6413 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
6414 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
6415 :
6416 :try
6417 : write
6418 :catch
6419 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
6420 :endtry
6421
6422Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
6423you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
6424autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
6425script displays: >
6426
6427 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
6428<
6429 *except-autocmd-Post*
6430For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
6431command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
6432an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
6433is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
6434 Example: >
6435
6436 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
6437 :
6438 :try
6439 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6440 :catch
6441 : echo v:exception
6442 :endtry
6443
6444This just displays: >
6445
6446 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
6447
6448If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
6449fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
6450 Example: >
6451
6452 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
6453 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
6454 :
6455 :try
6456 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6457 :catch
6458 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6459 :endtry
6460<
6461You can also use ":silent!": >
6462
6463 :let x = "ok"
6464 :let v:errmsg = ""
6465 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
6466 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
6467 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
6468 :try
6469 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6470 :catch
6471 :endtry
6472 :echo x
6473
6474This displays "after fail".
6475
6476If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
6477autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
6478
6479 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
6480 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
6481 :
6482 :try
6483 : write
6484 :catch
6485 : echo v:exception
6486 :endtry
6487<
6488 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
6489For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
6490autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
6491of the command.
6492 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
6493had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
6494some way. >
6495
6496 :if !exists("cnt")
6497 : let cnt = 0
6498 :
6499 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
6500 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
6501 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
6502 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6503 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6504 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
6505 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
6506 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6507 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6508 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
6509 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6510 :endif
6511 :
6512 :try
6513 : write
6514 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
6515 : if &modified
6516 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
6517 : else
6518 : echo "Error after writing"
6519 : endif
6520 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6521 : echo "Error on writing"
6522 :endtry
6523
6524When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
6525first >
6526 File successfully written!
6527then >
6528 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
6529then >
6530 Error after writing
6531etc.
6532
6533 *except-autocmd-ill*
6534You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
6535The following code is ill-formed: >
6536
6537 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
6538 :
6539 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
6540 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
6541 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
6542 :
6543 :write
6544
6545
6546EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
6547
6548Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
6549pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
6550similar things in Vim.
6551 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
6552class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
6553string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
6554 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
6555it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
6556for an error when writing "myfile".
6557 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
6558base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
6559parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
6560 Example: >
6561
6562 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
6563 : if a:a < 0
6564 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
6565 : endif
6566 :endfunction
6567 :
6568 :function! Add(a, b)
6569 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
6570 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
6571 : let c = a:a + a:b
6572 : if c < 0
6573 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
6574 : endif
6575 : return c
6576 :endfunction
6577 :
6578 :function! Div(a, b)
6579 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
6580 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
6581 : if (a:b == 0)
6582 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
6583 : endif
6584 : return a:a / a:b
6585 :endfunction
6586 :
6587 :function! Write(file)
6588 : try
6589 : execute "write" a:file
6590 : catch /^Vim(write):/
6591 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
6592 : endtry
6593 :endfunction
6594 :
6595 :try
6596 :
6597 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
6598 :
6599 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
6600 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6601 : echo "Range error in" function
6602 :
6603 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
6604 : echo "Math error"
6605 :
6606 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
6607 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
6608 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6609 : if file !~ '^/'
6610 : let file = dir . "/" . file
6611 : endif
6612 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
6613 :
6614 :catch /^EXCEPT/
6615 : echo "Unspecified error"
6616 :
6617 :endtry
6618
6619The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
6620a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
6621exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
6622 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
6623failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
6624
6625
6626PECULIARITIES
6627 *except-compat*
6628The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
6629exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
6630and/or a catch clause.
6631
6632In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
6633continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
6634after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
6635functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
6636or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
6637(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
6638
6639This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
6640immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
6641conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
6642be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
6643termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
6644catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
6645by specifying a finally clause.)
6646
6647When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
6648behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
6649scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
6650
6651However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
6652commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
6653conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
6654script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
6655error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
6656messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
6657|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
6658not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
6659where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
6660error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
6661scripts.
6662
6663 *except-syntax-err*
6664Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
6665the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
6666clauses, however, is executed.
6667 Example: >
6668
6669 :try
6670 : try
6671 : throw 4711
6672 : catch /\(/
6673 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
6674 : catch
6675 : echo "inner catch-all"
6676 : finally
6677 : echo "inner finally"
6678 : endtry
6679 :catch
6680 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
6681 : finally
6682 : echo "outer finally"
6683 :endtry
6684
6685This displays: >
6686 inner finally
6687 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
6688 outer finally
6689The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
6690
6691 *except-single-line*
6692The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
6693a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
6694"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
6695 Example: >
6696 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
6697raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
6698argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
6699error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
6700displayed.
6701
6702 *except-several-errors*
6703When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
6704usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
6705 Example: >
6706 echo novar
6707causes >
6708 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6709 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6710The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6711 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
6712< *except-syntax-error*
6713But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
6714the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
6715 Example: >
6716 unlet novar #
6717causes >
6718 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6719 E488: Trailing characters
6720The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6721 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
6722This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
6723not intended by the user. Example: >
6724 try
6725 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
6726 catch /.*/
6727 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
6728 endtry
6729This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
6730a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
6731
6732==============================================================================
67339. Examples *eval-examples*
6734
6735Printing in Hex ~
6736>
6737 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
6738 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
6739 : let n = a:nr
6740 : let r = ""
6741 : while n
6742 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
6743 : let n = n / 16
6744 : endwhile
6745 : return r
6746 :endfunc
6747
6748 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
6749 :" character Hex string.
6750 :func String2Hex(str)
6751 : let out = ''
6752 : let ix = 0
6753 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
6754 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
6755 : let ix = ix + 1
6756 : endwhile
6757 : return out
6758 :endfunc
6759
6760Example of its use: >
6761 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
6762result: "20" >
6763 :echo String2Hex("32")
6764result: "3332"
6765
6766
6767Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
6768
6769Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
6770":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
6771platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
6772function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
6773with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
6774>
6775 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
6776 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
6777 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
6778 : return -1
6779 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
6780 : return 1
6781 : else
6782 : return 0
6783 : endif
6784 :endfunction
6785
6786 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
6787 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
6788 : if (a:start >= a:end)
6789 : return
6790 : endif
6791 : let partition = a:start - 1
6792 : let middle = partition
6793 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
6794 : let i = a:start
6795 : while (i <= a:end)
6796 : let str = getline(i)
6797 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
6798 : if (result <= 0)
6799 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
6800 : let partition = partition + 1
6801 : if (result == 0)
6802 : let middle = partition
6803 : endif
6804 : if (i != partition)
6805 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6806 : call setline(i, str2)
6807 : call setline(partition, str)
6808 : endif
6809 : endif
6810 : let i = i + 1
6811 : endwhile
6812
6813 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
6814 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
6815 : " the end of the partition.
6816 : if (middle != partition)
6817 : let str = getline(middle)
6818 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6819 : call setline(middle, str2)
6820 : call setline(partition, str)
6821 : endif
6822 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
6823 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
6824 :endfunc
6825
6826 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
6827 :" function that will compare two lines.
6828 :func! Sort(cmp) range
6829 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
6830 :endfunc
6831
6832 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
6833 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
6834<
6835 *sscanf*
6836There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
6837line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
6838how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
6839"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
6840 :" Set up the match bit
6841 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
6842 :"get the part matching the whole expression
6843 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
6844 :"get each item out of the match
6845 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
6846 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
6847 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
6848
6849The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
6850"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
6851
6852==============================================================================
685310. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
6854
6855When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
6856evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
6857to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
6858recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
6859and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
6860only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
6861recognized.
6862
6863Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
6864missing: >
6865
6866 :if 1
6867 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
6868 :else
6869 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
6870 :endif
6871
6872==============================================================================
687311. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
6874
6875The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
6876options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
6877these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
6878these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00006879a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006880The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006881
6882These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
6883 - changing the buffer text
6884 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
6885 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
6886 - executing a shell command
6887 - reading or writing a file
6888 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00006889 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006890This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
6891
6892 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00006893:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006894 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
6895 'foldexpr'.
6896
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00006897 *sandbox-option*
6898A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
6899have to be done in the sandbox to avoid trouble. But the sandbox is
6900restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
6901location. Insecure in this context are:
6902- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directlry
6903- while executing in the sandbox
6904- value coming from a modeline
6905
6906Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
6907option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
6908
6909==============================================================================
691012. Textlock *textlock*
6911
6912In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
6913to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
6914is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
6915actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
6916happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
6917
6918This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
6919 - changing the buffer text
6920 - jumping to another buffer or window
6921 - editing another file
6922 - closing a window or quitting Vim
6923 - etc.
6924
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006925
6926 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: