xref: /vim-8.2.3635/runtime/doc/eval.txt (revision 69a7cb47)
1*eval.txt*      For Vim version 7.0aa.  Last change: 2004 Jun 20
2
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
12done, the features in this document are not available.  See |+eval| and the
13last chapter below.
14
151.  Variables		|variables|
162.  Expression syntax	|expression-syntax|
173.  Internal variable	|internal-variables|
184.  Builtin Functions	|functions|
195.  Defining functions	|user-functions|
206.  Curly braces names	|curly-braces-names|
217.  Commands		|expression-commands|
228.  Exception handling	|exception-handling|
239.  Examples		|eval-examples|
2410. No +eval feature	|no-eval-feature|
2511. The sandbox		|eval-sandbox|
26
27{Vi does not have any of these commands}
28
29==============================================================================
301. Variables						*variables*
31
32There are two types of variables:
33
34Number		a 32 bit signed number.
35String		a NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters.
36
37These are converted automatically, depending on how they are used.
38
39Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
40the Number.  Examples: >
41	Number 123	-->	String "123"
42	Number 0	-->	String "0"
43	Number -1	-->	String "-1"
44
45Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
46to a number.  Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized.  If
47the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero.  Examples: >
48	String "456"	-->	Number 456
49	String "6bar"	-->	Number 6
50	String "foo"	-->	Number 0
51	String "0xf1"	-->	Number 241
52	String "0100"	-->	Number 64
53	String "-8"	-->	Number -8
54	String "+8"	-->	Number 0
55
56To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
57	:echo "0100" + 0
58
59For boolean operators Numbers are used.  Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
60
61Note that in the command >
62	:if "foo"
63"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE.  To test for a non-empty string,
64use strlen(): >
65	:if strlen("foo")
66
67If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
68function.
69
70When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
71start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
72stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
73
74When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
75start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
76stored in the session file |session-file|.
77
78variable name		can be stored where ~
79my_var_6		not
80My_Var_6		session file
81MY_VAR_6		viminfo file
82
83
84It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
85|curly-braces-names|.
86
87==============================================================================
882. Expression syntax					*expression-syntax*
89
90Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
91
92|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1	if-then-else
93
94|expr2|	expr3 || expr3 ..	logical OR
95
96|expr3|	expr4 && expr4 ..	logical AND
97
98|expr4|	expr5 == expr5		equal
99	expr5 != expr5		not equal
100	expr5 >	 expr5		greater than
101	expr5 >= expr5		greater than or equal
102	expr5 <	 expr5		smaller than
103	expr5 <= expr5		smaller than or equal
104	expr5 =~ expr5		regexp matches
105	expr5 !~ expr5		regexp doesn't match
106
107	expr5 ==? expr5		equal, ignoring case
108	expr5 ==# expr5		equal, match case
109	etc.			As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
110				matching case
111
112|expr5|	expr6 +	 expr6 ..	number addition
113	expr6 -	 expr6 ..	number subtraction
114	expr6 .	 expr6 ..	string concatenation
115
116|expr6|	expr7 *	 expr7 ..	number multiplication
117	expr7 /	 expr7 ..	number division
118	expr7 %	 expr7 ..	number modulo
119
120|expr7|	! expr7			logical NOT
121	- expr7			unary minus
122	+ expr7			unary plus
123	expr8
124
125|expr8|	expr9[expr1]		index in String
126
127|expr9|	number			number constant
128	"string"		string constant
129	'string'		literal string constant
130	&option			option value
131	(expr1)			nested expression
132	variable		internal variable
133	va{ria}ble		internal variable with curly braces
134	$VAR			environment variable
135	@r			contents of register 'r'
136	function(expr1, ...)	function call
137	func{ti}on(expr1, ...)	function call with curly braces
138
139
140".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
141Example: >
142	&nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
143
144All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
145
146
147expr1							*expr1* *E109*
148-----
149
150expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
151
152The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number.  If it evaluates to
153non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
154otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
155Example: >
156	:echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
157
158Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:.  The
159other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
160Example: >
161	:echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
162
163To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
164	:echo lnum == 1
165	:\	? "top"
166	:\	: lnum == 1000
167	:\		? "last"
168	:\		: lnum
169
170
171expr2 and expr3						*expr2* *expr3*
172---------------
173
174					*expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
175The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side.  The arguments
176are (converted to) Numbers.  The result is:
177
178	 input				 output ~
179n1		n2		n1 || n2	n1 && n2 ~
180zero		zero		zero		zero
181zero		non-zero	non-zero	zero
182non-zero	zero		non-zero	zero
183non-zero	non-zero	non-zero	non-zero
184
185The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
186
187	&nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
188
189Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
190
191	&nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
192
193Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
194arguments are not evaluated.  This is like what happens in C.  For example: >
195
196	let a = 1
197	echo a || b
198
199This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
200so the result must be non-zero.  Similarly below: >
201
202	echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
203
204This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not.  The second clause will
205only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
206
207
208expr4							*expr4*
209-----
210
211expr5 {cmp} expr5
212
213Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
214if it evaluates to true.
215
216			*expr-==*  *expr-!=*  *expr->*   *expr->=*
217			*expr-<*   *expr-<=*  *expr-=~*  *expr-!~*
218			*expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#*  *expr->=#*
219			*expr-<#*  *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
220			*expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?*  *expr->=?*
221			*expr-<?*  *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
222		use 'ignorecase'    match case	   ignore case ~
223equal			==		==#		==?
224not equal		!=		!=#		!=?
225greater than		>		>#		>?
226greater than or equal	>=		>=#		>=?
227smaller than		<		<#		<?
228smaller than or equal	<=		<=#		<=?
229regexp matches		=~		=~#		=~?
230regexp doesn't match	!~		!~#		!~?
231
232Examples:
233"abc" ==# "Abc"	  evaluates to 0
234"abc" ==? "Abc"	  evaluates to 1
235"abc" == "Abc"	  evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
236
237When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
238and the comparison is done on Numbers.  This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
239because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
240
241When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp().  This
242results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
243necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
244
245When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
246'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
247
248When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
249'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
250
251The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
252argument, which is used as a pattern.  See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
253This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
254matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is.  This makes scripts
255portable.  To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
256single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
257Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
258(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match.  However, a literal NL character
259can be matched like an ordinary character.  Examples:
260	"foo\nbar" =~ "\n"	evaluates to 1
261	"foo\nbar" =~ "\\n"	evaluates to 0
262
263
264expr5 and expr6						*expr5* *expr6*
265---------------
266expr6 +	 expr6 ..	number addition		*expr-+*
267expr6 -	 expr6 ..	number subtraction	*expr--*
268expr6 .	 expr6 ..	string concatenation	*expr-.*
269
270expr7 *	 expr7 ..	number multiplication	*expr-star*
271expr7 /	 expr7 ..	number division		*expr-/*
272expr7 %	 expr7 ..	number modulo		*expr-%*
273
274For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
275
276Note the difference between "+" and ".":
277	"123" + "456" = 579
278	"123" . "456" = "123456"
279
280When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
281When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
282
283
284expr7							*expr7*
285-----
286! expr7			logical NOT		*expr-!*
287- expr7			unary minus		*expr-unary--*
288+ expr7			unary plus		*expr-unary-+*
289
290For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
291For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
292For '+' the number is unchanged.
293
294A String will be converted to a Number first.
295
296These three can be repeated and mixed.  Examples:
297	!-1	    == 0
298	!!8	    == 1
299	--9	    == 9
300
301
302expr8							*expr8*
303-----
304expr9[expr1]		index in String		*expr-[]* *E111*
305
306This results in a String that contains the expr1'th single byte from expr9.
307expr9 is used as a String, expr1 as a Number.  Note that this doesn't work for
308multi-byte encodings.
309
310Note that index zero gives the first character.  This is like it works in C.
311Careful: text column numbers start with one!  Example, to get the character
312under the cursor: >
313	:let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1]
314
315If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
316String.
317
318						*expr9*
319number
320------
321number			number constant		*expr-number*
322
323Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
324
325
326string							*expr-string* *E114*
327------
328"string"		string constant		*expr-quote*
329
330Note that double quotes are used.
331
332A string constant accepts these special characters:
333\...	three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
334\..	two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
335\.	one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
336\x..	byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
337\x.	byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
338\X..	same as \x..
339\X.	same as \x.
340\u....  character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
341	current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
342\U....	same as \u....
343\b	backspace <BS>
344\e	escape <Esc>
345\f	formfeed <FF>
346\n	newline <NL>
347\r	return <CR>
348\t	tab <Tab>
349\\	backslash
350\"	double quote
351\<xxx>	Special key named "xxx".  e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
352
353Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
354
355
356literal-string						*literal-string* *E115*
357---------------
358'string'		literal string constant		*expr-'*
359
360Note that single quotes are used.
361
362This string is taken literally.  No backslashes are removed or have a special
363meaning.  A literal-string cannot contain a single quote.  Use a normal string
364for that.
365
366
367option						*expr-option* *E112* *E113*
368------
369&option			option value, local value if possible
370&g:option		global option value
371&l:option		local option value
372
373Examples: >
374	echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
375	if &insertmode
376
377Any option name can be used here.  See |options|.  When using the local value
378and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
379anyway.
380
381
382register						*expr-register*
383--------
384@r			contents of register 'r'
385
386The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
387Newlines are inserted where required.  To get the contents of the unnamed
388register use @" or @@.  The '=' register can not be used here.  See
389|registers| for an explanation of the available registers.
390
391
392nesting							*expr-nesting* *E110*
393-------
394(expr1)			nested expression
395
396
397environment variable					*expr-env*
398--------------------
399$VAR			environment variable
400
401The String value of any environment variable.  When it is not defined, the
402result is an empty string.
403						*expr-env-expand*
404Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
405expand("$VAR").  Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
406are known inside the current Vim session.  Using expand() will first try using
407the environment variables known inside the current Vim session.  If that
408fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable.  This can be slow, but it
409does expand all variables that the shell knows about.  Example: >
410	:echo $version
411	:echo expand("$version")
412The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
413variable (if your shell supports it).
414
415
416internal variable					*expr-variable*
417-----------------
418variable		internal variable
419See below |internal-variables|.
420
421
422function call		*expr-function* *E116* *E117* *E118* *E119* *E120*
423-------------
424function(expr1, ...)	function call
425See below |functions|.
426
427
428==============================================================================
4293. Internal variable				*internal-variables* *E121*
430									*E461*
431An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'.  But it
432cannot start with a digit.  It's also possible to use curly braces, see
433|curly-braces-names|.
434
435An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
436An internal variable is destroyed with the ":unlet" command |:unlet|.
437Using a name that isn't an internal variable, or an internal variable that has
438been destroyed, results in an error.
439
440There are several name spaces for variables.  Which one is to be used is
441specified by what is prepended:
442
443		(nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
444|buffer-variable|    b:	  Local to the current buffer.
445|window-variable|    w:	  Local to the current window.
446|global-variable|    g:	  Global.
447|local-variable|     l:	  Local to a function.
448|script-variable|    s:	  Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
449|function-argument|  a:	  Function argument (only inside a function).
450|vim-variable|       v:	  Global, predefined by Vim.
451
452						*buffer-variable* *b:var*
453A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
454Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
455This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
456|:bdelete|.
457
458One local buffer variable is predefined:
459					*b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
460b:changedtick	The total number of changes to the current buffer.  It is
461		incremented for each change.  An undo command is also a change
462		in this case.  This can be used to perform an action only when
463		the buffer has changed.  Example: >
464		    :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
465		    :   let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
466		    :   call My_Update()
467		    :endif
468<
469						*window-variable* *w:var*
470A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window.  It
471is deleted when the window is closed.
472
473						*global-variable* *g:var*
474Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:".  Omitting this will
475access a variable local to a function.  But "g:" can also be used in any other
476place if you like.
477
478						*local-variable* *l:var*
479Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
480But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
481
482						*script-variable* *s:var*
483In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used.  They cannot be
484accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
485
486They can be used in:
487- commands executed while the script is sourced
488- functions defined in the script
489- autocommands defined in the script
490- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
491  defined in the script (recursively)
492- user defined commands defined in the script
493Thus not in:
494- other scripts sourced from this one
495- mappings
496- etc.
497
498script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
499Take this example:
500
501	let s:counter = 0
502	function MyCounter()
503	  let s:counter = s:counter + 1
504	  echo s:counter
505	endfunction
506	command Tick call MyCounter()
507
508You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
509that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
510"Tick" was defined is used.
511
512Another example that does the same: >
513
514	let s:counter = 0
515	command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
516
517When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
518script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
519defined.
520
521The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
522function that is defined in a script.  Example: >
523
524	let s:counter = 0
525	function StartCounting(incr)
526	  if a:incr
527	    function MyCounter()
528	      let s:counter = s:counter + 1
529	    endfunction
530	  else
531	    function MyCounter()
532	      let s:counter = s:counter - 1
533	    endfunction
534	  endif
535	endfunction
536
537This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
538when calling StartCounting().  It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
539called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
540
541When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
542They will remain valid as long as Vim is running.  This can be used to
543maintain a counter: >
544
545	if !exists("s:counter")
546	  let s:counter = 1
547	  echo "script executed for the first time"
548	else
549	  let s:counter = s:counter + 1
550	  echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
551	endif
552
553Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
554variables for each buffer.  Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
555
556
557Predefined Vim variables:			*vim-variable* *v:var*
558
559			*v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
560v:charconvert_from
561		The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
562		Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
563
564			*v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
565v:charconvert_to
566		The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
567		Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
568
569					*v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
570v:cmdarg	This variable is used for two purposes:
571		1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
572		   Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=".  This variable is
573		   set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
574		   command is triggered.  There is a leading space to make it
575		   possible to append this variable directly after the
576		   read/write command.  Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
577		   included here, because it will be executed anyway.
578		2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
579		   the argument for the ":hardcopy" command.  This can be used
580		   in 'printexpr'.
581
582					*v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
583v:cmdbang	Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command.  When a "!"
584		was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0.  Note that this
585		can only be used in autocommands.  For user commands |<bang>|
586		can be used.
587
588					*v:count* *count-variable*
589v:count		The count given for the last Normal mode command.  Can be used
590		to get the count before a mapping.  Read-only.  Example: >
591	:map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
592<		Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
593		get when typing ':' after a count.
594		"count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
595
596					*v:count1* *count1-variable*
597v:count1	Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
598		used.
599
600						*v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
601v:ctype		The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
602		environment.  This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
603		current locale encoding.  Technical: it's the value of
604		LC_CTYPE.  When not using a locale the value is "C".
605		This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
606		command.
607		See |multi-lang|.
608
609					*v:dying* *dying-variable*
610v:dying		Normally zero.  When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
611		one.  When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
612		Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
613		terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
614		Example: >
615	:au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
616<
617					*v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
618v:errmsg	Last given error message.  It's allowed to set this variable.
619		Example: >
620	:let v:errmsg = ""
621	:silent! next
622	:if v:errmsg != ""
623	:  ... handle error
624<		"errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
625
626					*v:exception* *exception-variable*
627v:exception	The value of the exception most recently caught and not
628		finished.  See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
629		Example: >
630	:try
631	:  throw "oops"
632	:catch /.*/
633	:  echo "caught" v:exception
634	:endtry
635<		Output: "caught oops".
636
637					*v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
638v:fname_in	The name of the input file.  Only valid while evaluating:
639			option		used for ~
640			'charconvert'	file to be converted
641			'diffexpr'	original file
642			'patchexpr'	original file
643			'printexpr'	file to be printed
644
645					*v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
646v:fname_out	The name of the output file.  Only valid while
647		evaluating:
648			option		used for ~
649			'charconvert'	resulting converted file (*)
650			'diffexpr'	output of diff
651			'patchexpr'	resulting patched file
652		(*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
653		file") it will be equal to v:fname_in.  When doing conversion
654		for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
655		file and different from v:fname_in.
656
657					*v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
658v:fname_new	The name of the new version of the file.  Only valid while
659		evaluating 'diffexpr'.
660
661					*v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
662v:fname_diff	The name of the diff (patch) file.  Only valid while
663		evaluating 'patchexpr'.
664
665					*v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
666v:folddashes	Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
667		fold.
668		Read-only. |fold-foldtext|
669
670					*v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
671v:foldlevel	Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
672		Read-only. |fold-foldtext|
673
674					*v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
675v:foldend	Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
676		Read-only. |fold-foldtext|
677
678					*v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
679v:foldstart	Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
680		Read-only. |fold-foldtext|
681
682						*v:lang* *lang-variable*
683v:lang		The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
684		environment.  This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
685		current language.  Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
686		The value is system dependent.
687		This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
688		command.
689		It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
690		in a different language than what is used for character
691		encoding.  See |multi-lang|.
692
693						*v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
694v:lc_time	The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
695		environment.  This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
696		current language.  Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
697		This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
698		command.  See |multi-lang|.
699
700						*v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
701v:lnum		Line number for the 'foldexpr' and 'indentexpr' expressions.
702		Only valid while one of these expressions is being evaluated.
703		Read-only. |fold-expr| 'indentexpr'
704
705					*v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
706v:prevcount	The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
707		This is the v:count value of the previous command.  Useful if
708		you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
709			:vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
710<		Read-only.
711
712					*v:progname* *progname-variable*
713v:progname	Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
714		invoked.  Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
715		"evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
716		Read-only.
717
718					*v:register* *register-variable*
719v:register	The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
720		command.  Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
721
722					*v:servername* *servername-variable*
723v:servername	The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
724		Read-only.
725
726					*v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
727v:shell_error	Result of the last shell command.  When non-zero, the last
728		shell command had an error.  When zero, there was no problem.
729		This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
730		The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
731		executed.  Read-only.
732		Example: >
733	:!mv foo bar
734	:if v:shell_error
735	:  echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
736	:endif
737<		"shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
738
739					*v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
740v:statusmsg	Last given status message.  It's allowed to set this variable.
741
742				*v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
743v:termresponse	The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
744		termcap entry.  It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
745		that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
746		digits, ';' and '.' in between.
747		When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
748		fired, so that you can react to the response from the
749		terminal.
750		The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c".  Pp
751		is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220.  Pv is the
752		patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
753		always 95 or bigger).  Pc is always zero.
754		{only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
755
756				*v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
757v:this_session	Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file.  See
758		|:mksession|.  It is allowed to set this variable.  When no
759		session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
760		"this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
761
762					*v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
763v:throwpoint	The point where the exception most recently caught and not
764		finished was thrown.  Not set when commands are typed.  See
765		also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
766		Example: >
767	:try
768	:  throw "oops"
769	:catch /.*/
770	:  echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
771	:endtry
772<		Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
773
774					*v:version* *version-variable*
775v:version	Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
776		minor version number.  Version 5.0 is 500.  Version 5.1 (5.01)
777		is 501.  Read-only.  "version" also works, for backwards
778		compatibility.
779		Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
780			if has("patch123")
781<		Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
782		version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
783		completely different.
784
785					*v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
786v:warningmsg	Last given warning message.  It's allowed to set this variable.
787
788==============================================================================
7894. Builtin Functions					*functions*
790
791See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
792
793(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation)
794
795USAGE				RESULT	DESCRIPTION	~
796
797append( {lnum}, {string})	Number  append {string} below line {lnum}
798argc()				Number	number of files in the argument list
799argidx()			Number  current index in the argument list
800argv( {nr})			String	{nr} entry of the argument list
801browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
802				String	put up a file requester
803bufexists( {expr})		Number	TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
804buflisted( {expr})		Number  TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
805bufloaded( {expr})		Number  TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
806bufname( {expr})		String	Name of the buffer {expr}
807bufnr( {expr})			Number	Number of the buffer {expr}
808bufwinnr( {expr})		Number	window number of buffer {expr}
809byte2line( {byte})		Number	line number at byte count {byte}
810char2nr( {expr})		Number	ASCII value of first char in {expr}
811cindent( {lnum})		Number  C indent for line {lnum}
812col( {expr})			Number	column nr of cursor or mark
813confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
814				Number	number of choice picked by user
815cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
816				Number	checks existence of cscope connection
817cursor( {lnum}, {col})		Number  position cursor at {lnum}, {col}
818delete( {fname})		Number	delete file {fname}
819did_filetype()			Number	TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
820escape( {string}, {chars})	String	escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
821eventhandler( )			Number  TRUE if inside an event handler
822executable( {expr})		Number	1 if executable {expr} exists
823exists( {expr})			Number	TRUE if {expr} exists
824expand( {expr})			String	expand special keywords in {expr}
825filereadable( {file})		Number	TRUE if {file} is a readable file
826filewritable( {file})		Number	TRUE if {file} is a writable file
827fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods})	String	modify file name
828foldclosed( {lnum})		Number  first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
829foldclosedend( {lnum})		Number  last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
830foldlevel( {lnum})		Number	fold level at {lnum}
831foldtext( )			String  line displayed for closed fold
832foreground( )			Number	bring the Vim window to the foreground
833getchar( [expr])		Number  get one character from the user
834getcharmod( )			Number  modifiers for the last typed character
835getbufvar( {expr}, {varname})		variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
836getcmdline()			String	return the current command-line
837getcmdpos()			Number	return cursor position in command-line
838getcwd()			String	the current working directory
839getfsize( {fname})		Number	size in bytes of file
840getftime( {fname})		Number	last modification time of file
841getline( {lnum})		String	line {lnum} from current buffer
842getreg( [{regname}])		String  contents of register
843getregtype( [{regname}])	String  type of register
844getwinposx()			Number	X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
845getwinposy()			Number	Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
846getwinvar( {nr}, {varname})		variable {varname} in window {nr}
847glob( {expr})			String	expand file wildcards in {expr}
848globpath( {path}, {expr})	String	do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
849has( {feature})			Number	TRUE if feature {feature} supported
850hasmapto( {what} [, {mode}])	Number	TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
851histadd( {history},{item})	String	add an item to a history
852histdel( {history} [, {item}])	String	remove an item from a history
853histget( {history} [, {index}])	String	get the item {index} from a history
854histnr( {history})		Number	highest index of a history
855hlexists( {name})		Number	TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
856hlID( {name})			Number	syntax ID of highlight group {name}
857hostname()			String	name of the machine Vim is running on
858iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to})	String  convert encoding of {expr}
859indent( {lnum})			Number  indent of line {lnum}
860input( {prompt} [, {text}])	String	get input from the user
861inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String  like input() but in a GUI dialog
862inputrestore()			Number  restore typeahead
863inputsave()			Number  save and clear typeahead
864inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String  like input() but hiding the text
865isdirectory( {directory})	Number	TRUE if {directory} is a directory
866libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg})	String  call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
867libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg})  Number  idem, but return a Number
868line( {expr})			Number	line nr of cursor, last line or mark
869line2byte( {lnum})		Number	byte count of line {lnum}
870lispindent( {lnum})		Number  Lisp indent for line {lnum}
871localtime()			Number	current time
872maparg( {name}[, {mode}])	String	rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
873mapcheck( {name}[, {mode}])	String	check for mappings matching {name}
874match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}])
875				Number	position where {pat} matches in {expr}
876matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}])
877				Number	position where {pat} ends in {expr}
878matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}])
879				String	match of {pat} in {expr}
880mode()				String  current editing mode
881nextnonblank( {lnum})		Number	line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
882nr2char( {expr})		String	single char with ASCII value {expr}
883prevnonblank( {lnum})		Number	line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
884remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
885				String	send expression
886remote_foreground( {server})	Number	bring Vim server to the foreground
887remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
888				Number	check for reply string
889remote_read( {serverid})	String	read reply string
890remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
891				String	send key sequence
892rename( {from}, {to})		Number  rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
893resolve( {filename})		String  get filename a shortcut points to
894search( {pattern} [, {flags}])	Number  search for {pattern}
895searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
896				Number  search for other end of start/end pair
897server2client( {clientid}, {string})
898				Number	send reply string
899serverlist()			String	get a list of available servers
900setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val})	set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
901setcmdpos( {pos})		Number	set cursor position in command-line
902setline( {lnum}, {line})	Number	set line {lnum} to {line}
903setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}])	Number  set register to value and type
904setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val})	set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
905simplify( {filename})		String  simplify filename as much as possible
906strftime( {format}[, {time}])	String	time in specified format
907stridx( {haystack}, {needle})	Number	first index of {needle} in {haystack}
908strlen( {expr})			Number	length of the String {expr}
909strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
910				String	{len} characters of {src} at {start}
911strridx( {haystack}, {needle})	Number	last index of {needle} in {haystack}
912strtrans( {expr})		String	translate string to make it printable
913submatch( {nr})			String  specific match in ":substitute"
914substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
915				String	all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
916synID( {line}, {col}, {trans})	Number	syntax ID at {line} and {col}
917synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
918				String	attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
919synIDtrans( {synID})		Number	translated syntax ID of {synID}
920system( {expr})			String	output of shell command {expr}
921tempname()			String	name for a temporary file
922tolower( {expr})		String	the String {expr} switched to lowercase
923toupper( {expr})		String	the String {expr} switched to uppercase
924type( {name})			Number	type of variable {name}
925virtcol( {expr})		Number	screen column of cursor or mark
926visualmode( [expr])		String	last visual mode used
927winbufnr( {nr})			Number	buffer number of window {nr}
928wincol()			Number	window column of the cursor
929winheight( {nr})		Number	height of window {nr}
930winline()			Number	window line of the cursor
931winnr()				Number	number of current window
932winrestcmd()			String  returns command to restore window sizes
933winwidth( {nr})			Number	width of window {nr}
934
935append({lnum}, {string})				*append()*
936		Append the text {string} after line {lnum} in the current
937		buffer.  {lnum} can be zero, to insert a line before the first
938		one.  Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range) or 0 for
939		success.
940
941							*argc()*
942argc()		The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
943		current window.  See |arglist|.
944
945							*argidx()*
946argidx()	The result is the current index in the argument list.  0 is
947		the first file.  argc() - 1 is the last one.  See |arglist|.
948
949							*argv()*
950argv({nr})	The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
951		current window.  See |arglist|.  "argv(0)" is the first one.
952		Example: >
953	:let i = 0
954	:while i < argc()
955	:  let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
956	:  exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
957	:  let i = i + 1
958	:endwhile
959<
960							*browse()*
961browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
962		Put up a file requester.  This only works when "has("browse")"
963		returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
964		The input fields are:
965		    {save}	when non-zero, select file to write
966		    {title}	title for the requester
967		    {initdir}	directory to start browsing in
968		    {default}	default file name
969		When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
970		browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
971
972bufexists({expr})					*bufexists()*
973		The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
974		{expr} exists.
975		If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
976		If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
977		exactly.  The name can be:
978		- Relative to the current directory.
979		- A full path.
980		- The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
981		- A URL name.
982		Unlisted buffers will be found.
983		Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
984		output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
985		long name to be able to find them.
986		Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
987		file name.
988							*buffer_exists()*
989		Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
990
991buflisted({expr})					*buflisted()*
992		The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
993		{expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
994		The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
995
996bufloaded({expr})					*bufloaded()*
997		The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
998		{expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
999		The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
1000
1001bufname({expr})						*bufname()*
1002		The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1003		":ls" command.
1004		If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1005		Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1006		If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1007		with the buffer names.  This is always done like 'magic' is
1008		set and 'cpoptions' is empty.  When there is more than one
1009		match an empty string is returned.
1010		"" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1011		alternate buffer.
1012		A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1013		or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1014		Listed buffers are found first.  If there is a single match
1015		with a listed buffer, that one is returned.  Next unlisted
1016		buffers are searched for.
1017		If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1018		number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1019			:echo bufname("3" + 0)
1020<		If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1021		string is returned. >
1022	bufname("#")		alternate buffer name
1023	bufname(3)		name of buffer 3
1024	bufname("%")		name of current buffer
1025	bufname("file2")	name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1026<							*buffer_name()*
1027		Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1028
1029							*bufnr()*
1030bufnr({expr})	The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
1031		the ":ls" command.  For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
1032		above.  If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
1033		bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1034	:let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1035<		The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1036		of existing buffers.  Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1037		number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1038		them.  Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1039							*buffer_number()*
1040		Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1041							*last_buffer_nr()*
1042		Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1043
1044bufwinnr({expr})					*bufwinnr()*
1045		The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1046		window associated with buffer {expr}.  For the use of {expr},
1047		see |bufname()| above.  If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1048		there is no such window, -1 is returned.  Example: >
1049
1050	echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1051
1052<		The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1053		|:wincmd|.
1054
1055
1056byte2line({byte})					*byte2line()*
1057		Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1058		count {byte} in the current buffer.  This includes the
1059		end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1060		for the current buffer.  The first character has byte count
1061		one.
1062		Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1063		{not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1064		feature}
1065
1066char2nr({expr})						*char2nr()*
1067		Return number value of the first char in {expr}.  Examples: >
1068			char2nr(" ")		returns 32
1069			char2nr("ABC")		returns 65
1070<		The current 'encoding' is used.  Example for "utf-8": >
1071			char2nr("�")		returns 225
1072			char2nr("�"[0])		returns 195
1073
1074cindent({lnum})						*cindent()*
1075		Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1076		indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1077		The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1078		relevant.  {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1079		When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1080		feature, -1 is returned.
1081
1082							*col()*
1083col({expr})	The result is a Number, which is the column of the file
1084		position given with {expr}.  The accepted positions are:
1085		    .	    the cursor position
1086		    $	    the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1087			    number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1088		    'x	    position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1089			    returned)
1090		For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1091		Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1092		Examples: >
1093			col(".")		column of cursor
1094			col("$")		length of cursor line plus one
1095			col("'t")		column of mark t
1096			col("'" . markname)	column of mark markname
1097<		The first column is 1.  0 is returned for an error.
1098		For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1099		column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1100		line.  This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
1101			:imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
1102				\<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
1103				\<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
1104				\let &ve = save_ve<CR>
1105<
1106						*confirm()*
1107confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1108		Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
1109		made.  It returns the number of the choice.  For the first
1110		choice this is 1.
1111		Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
1112		support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
1113		{msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
1114		alternatives.  When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
1115		used (and translated).
1116		{msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline.  Only on
1117		some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
1118		{choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
1119		by '\n', e.g. >
1120			confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
1121<		The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
1122		Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel".  The shortcut does
1123		not need to be the first letter: >
1124			confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
1125<		For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
1126		the default shortcut key.
1127		The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
1128		that is made if the user hits <CR>.  Use 1 to make the first
1129		choice the default one.  Use 0 to not set a default.  If
1130		{default} is omitted, 1 is used.
1131		The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog.  This
1132		is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI.  It can be one of
1133		these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
1134		"Generic".  Only the first character is relevant.  When {type}
1135		is omitted, "Generic" is used.
1136		If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
1137		or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
1138
1139		An example: >
1140   :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
1141   :if choice == 0
1142   :	echo "make up your mind!"
1143   :elseif choice == 3
1144   :	echo "tasteful"
1145   :else
1146   :	echo "I prefer bananas myself."
1147   :endif
1148<		In a GUI dialog, buttons are used.  The layout of the buttons
1149		depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'.  If it is included,
1150		the buttons are always put vertically.  Otherwise,  confirm()
1151		tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line.  If they
1152		don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway.  For some systems
1153		the horizontal layout is always used.
1154
1155							*cscope_connection()*
1156cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1157		Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection.  If no
1158		parameters are specified, then the function returns:
1159			0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
1160			   if there are no cscope connections;
1161			1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
1162
1163		If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
1164		determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
1165
1166		{num}	Description of existence check
1167		-----	------------------------------
1168		0	Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
1169		1	Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
1170			{dbpath}.
1171		2	Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
1172			{dbpath}.
1173		3	Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
1174			{dbpath} and {prepend}.
1175		4	Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
1176			{dbpath} and {prepend}.
1177
1178		Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
1179
1180		Examples.  Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
1181
1182  # pid    database name			prepend path
1183  0 27664  cscope.out				/usr/local
1184<
1185		Invocation					Return Val ~
1186		----------					---------- >
1187		cscope_connection()					1
1188		cscope_connection(1, "out")				1
1189		cscope_connection(2, "out")				0
1190		cscope_connection(3, "out")				0
1191		cscope_connection(3, "out", "local")			1
1192		cscope_connection(4, "out")				0
1193		cscope_connection(4, "out", "local")			0
1194		cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local")	1
1195<
1196cursor({lnum}, {col})					*cursor()*
1197		Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
1198		Does not change the jumplist.
1199		If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
1200		the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
1201		If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
1202		If {col} is greater than the number of characters in the line,
1203		the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
1204		line.
1205		If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
1206
1207							*delete()*
1208delete({fname})	Deletes the file by the name {fname}.  The result is a Number,
1209		which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
1210		when the deletion failed.
1211
1212							*did_filetype()*
1213did_filetype()	Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
1214		FileType event has been triggered at least once.  Can be used
1215		to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
1216		that detect the file type. |FileType|
1217		When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
1218		really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
1219		current buffer.  This allows an autocommand that starts
1220		editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
1221		file.
1222
1223escape({string}, {chars})				*escape()*
1224		Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
1225		backslash.  Example: >
1226			:echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
1227<		results in: >
1228			c:\\program\ files\\vim
1229<
1230eventhandler()						*eventhandler()*
1231		Returns 1 when inside an event handler.  That is that Vim got
1232		interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
1233		e.g., when dropping a file on Vim.  This means interactive
1234		commands cannot be used.  Otherwise zero is returned.
1235
1236executable({expr})					*executable()*
1237		This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
1238		exists.  {expr} must be the name of the program without any
1239		arguments.  executable() uses the normal $PATH.
1240		On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. must be
1241		included.  It only checks if the file exists and is not a
1242		directory, not if it's really executable.
1243		The result is a Number:
1244			1	exists
1245			0	does not exist
1246			-1	not implemented on this system
1247
1248							*exists()*
1249exists({expr})	The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
1250		defined, zero otherwise.  The {expr} argument is a string,
1251		which contains one of these:
1252			&option-name	Vim option (only checks if it exists,
1253					not if it really works)
1254			+option-name	Vim option that works.
1255			$ENVNAME	environment variable (could also be
1256					done by comparing with an empty
1257					string)
1258			*funcname	built-in function (see |functions|)
1259					or user defined function (see
1260					|user-functions|).
1261			varname		internal variable (see
1262					|internal-variables|).  Does not work
1263					for |curly-braces-names|.
1264			:cmdname	Ex command: built-in command, user
1265					command or command modifier |:command|.
1266					Returns:
1267					1  for match with start of a command
1268					2  full match with a command
1269					3  matches several user commands
1270					To check for a supported command
1271					always check the return value to be 2.
1272			#event		autocommand defined for this event
1273			#event#pattern	autocommand defined for this event and
1274					pattern (the pattern is taken
1275					literally and compared to the
1276					autocommand patterns character by
1277					character)
1278		For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
1279
1280		Examples: >
1281			exists("&shortname")
1282			exists("$HOSTNAME")
1283			exists("*strftime")
1284			exists("*s:MyFunc")
1285			exists("bufcount")
1286			exists(":Make")
1287			exists("#CursorHold");
1288			exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
1289<		There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
1290		name.
1291		Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
1292		variable itself!  For example: >
1293			exists(bufcount)
1294<		This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
1295		but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
1296		exists.
1297
1298expand({expr} [, {flag}])				*expand()*
1299		Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
1300		The result is a String.
1301
1302		When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
1303		characters.  [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
1304		caused problems when a file name contains a space]
1305
1306		If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.  A name
1307		for a non-existing file is not included.
1308
1309		When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
1310		like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
1311		modifiers.  Here is a short overview:
1312
1313			%		current file name
1314			#		alternate file name
1315			#n		alternate file name n
1316			<cfile>		file name under the cursor
1317			<afile>		autocmd file name
1318			<abuf>		autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
1319			<amatch>	autocmd matched name
1320			<sfile>		sourced script file name
1321			<cword>		word under the cursor
1322			<cWORD>		WORD under the cursor
1323			<client>	the {clientid} of the last received
1324					message |server2client()|
1325		Modifiers:
1326			:p		expand to full path
1327			:h		head (last path component removed)
1328			:t		tail (last path component only)
1329			:r		root (one extension removed)
1330			:e		extension only
1331
1332		Example: >
1333			:let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
1334<		Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
1335		'<', any following text is ignored.  This does NOT work: >
1336			:let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
1337<		Use this: >
1338			:let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
1339<		Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
1340		referenced file name without further expansion.  If "<cfile>"
1341		is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
1342		"~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
1343			:echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
1344<
1345		There cannot be white space between the variables and the
1346		following modifier.  The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
1347		to modify normal file names.
1348
1349		When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
1350		is not defined, an empty string is used.  Using "%:p" in a
1351		buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
1352		'/' added.
1353
1354		When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
1355		expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
1356		'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
1357		{flag} argument is given and it is non-zero.  Names for
1358		non-existing files are included.
1359
1360		Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
1361		variables that are only known in a shell.  But this can be
1362		slow, because a shell must be started.  See |expr-env-expand|.
1363		The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
1364		names.  When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
1365		left unchanged.  Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
1366		"$FOOBAR".
1367
1368		See |glob()| for finding existing files.  See |system()| for
1369		getting the raw output of an external command.
1370
1371filereadable({file})					*filereadable()*
1372		The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
1373		name {file} exists, and can be read.  If {file} doesn't exist,
1374		or is a directory, the result is FALSE.  {file} is any
1375		expression, which is used as a String.
1376							*file_readable()*
1377		Obsolete name: file_readable().
1378
1379filewritable({file})					*filewritable()*
1380		The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
1381		name {file} exists, and can be written.  If {file} doesn't
1382		exist, or is not writable, the result is 0.  If (file) is a
1383		directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
1384
1385fnamemodify({fname}, {mods})				*fnamemodify()*
1386		Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}.  {mods} is a
1387		string of characters like it is used for file names on the
1388		command line.  See |filename-modifiers|.
1389		Example: >
1390			:echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
1391<		results in: >
1392			/home/mool/vim/vim/src
1393<		Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
1394		|expand()| first then.
1395
1396foldclosed({lnum})					*foldclosed()*
1397		The result is a Number.  If the line {lnum} is in a closed
1398		fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
1399		If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
1400
1401foldclosedend({lnum})					*foldclosedend()*
1402		The result is a Number.  If the line {lnum} is in a closed
1403		fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
1404		If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
1405
1406foldlevel({lnum})					*foldlevel()*
1407		The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
1408		in the current buffer.  For nested folds the deepest level is
1409		returned.  If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
1410		returned.  It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
1411		When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
1412		returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
1413		foldlevel is unknown.  As a special case the level of the
1414		previous line is usually available.
1415
1416							*foldtext()*
1417foldtext()	Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold.  This is
1418		the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
1419		only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'.  It uses the
1420		|v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
1421		The returned string looks like this: >
1422			+-- 45 lines: abcdef
1423<		The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel.  The "45" is
1424		the number of lines in the fold.  "abcdef" is the text in the
1425		first non-blank line of the fold.  Leading white space, "//"
1426		or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
1427		options is removed.
1428		{not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
1429
1430							*foreground()*
1431foreground()	Move the Vim window to the foreground.  Useful when sent from
1432		a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
1433		On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
1434		allow a window to bring itself to the foreground.  Use
1435		|remote_foreground()| instead.
1436		{only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
1437		Win32 console version}
1438
1439getchar([expr])						*getchar()*
1440		Get a single character from the user.  If it is an 8-bit
1441		character, the result is a number.  Otherwise a String is
1442		returned with the encoded character.  For a special key it's a
1443		sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
1444		If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
1445		If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
1446		If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
1447				not consumed.  If a normal character is
1448				available, it is returned, otherwise a
1449				non-zero value is returned.
1450		If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
1451		Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
1452		The returned value is zero if no character is available.
1453		The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
1454		and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
1455		There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
1456		user that a character has to be typed.
1457		There is no mapping for the character.
1458		Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
1459		key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
1460		sequence.  Examples: >
1461			getchar() == "\<Del>"
1462			getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
1463<		This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
1464			:nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
1465			:function FindChar()
1466			:  let c = nr2char(getchar())
1467			:  while col('.') < col('$') - 1
1468			:    normal l
1469			:    if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
1470			:      break
1471			:    endif
1472			:  endwhile
1473			:endfunction
1474
1475getcharmod()						*getcharmod()*
1476		The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
1477		the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
1478		These values are added together:
1479			2	shift
1480			4	control
1481			8	alt (meta)
1482			16	mouse double click
1483			32	mouse triple click
1484			64	mouse quadruple click
1485			128	Macintosh only: command
1486		Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
1487		character itself are obtained.  Thus Shift-a results in "A"
1488		with no modifier.
1489
1490getbufvar({expr}, {varname})				*getbufvar()*
1491		The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
1492		{varname} in buffer {expr}.  Note that the name without "b:"
1493		must be used.
1494		This also works for a global or local window option, but it
1495		doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
1496		For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
1497		When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
1498		returned, there is no error message.
1499		Examples: >
1500			:let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
1501			:echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
1502<
1503getcmdline()						*getcmdline()*
1504		Return the current command-line.  Only works when the command
1505		line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
1506		|c_CTRL-R_=|.
1507		Example: >
1508			:cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
1509<		Also see |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
1510
1511getcmdpos({pos})					*getcmdpos()*
1512		Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
1513		byte count.  The first column is 1.
1514		Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
1515		|c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|.  Returns 0 otherwise.
1516		Also see |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
1517
1518							*getcwd()*
1519getcwd()	The result is a String, which is the name of the current
1520		working directory.
1521
1522getfsize({fname})					*getfsize()*
1523		The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
1524		given file {fname}.
1525		If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
1526		If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
1527
1528getftime({fname})					*getftime()*
1529		The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
1530		the given file {fname}.  The value is measured as seconds
1531		since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime().  See also
1532		|localtime()| and |strftime()|.
1533		If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
1534
1535							*getline()*
1536getline({lnum}) The result is a String, which is line {lnum} from the current
1537		buffer.  Example: >
1538			getline(1)
1539<		When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
1540		digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
1541		To get the line under the cursor: >
1542			getline(".")
1543<		When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
1544		lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
1545
1546getreg([{regname}])					*getreg()*
1547		The result is a String, which is the contents of register
1548		{regname}. Example: >
1549			:let cliptext = getreg('*')
1550<		getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
1551		register. (For use in maps).
1552		If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
1553
1554getregtype([{regname}])					*getregtype()*
1555		The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
1556		The value will be one of:
1557		    "v"			for |characterwise| text
1558		    "V"			for |linewise| text
1559		    "<CTRL-V>{width}"	for |blockwise-visual| text
1560		    0			for an empty or unknown register
1561		<CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
1562		If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
1563
1564							*getwinposx()*
1565getwinposx()	The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
1566		the left hand side of the GUI Vim window.  The result will be
1567		-1 if the information is not available.
1568
1569							*getwinposy()*
1570getwinposy()	The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
1571		the top of the GUI Vim window.  The result will be -1 if the
1572		information is not available.
1573
1574getwinvar({nr}, {varname})				*getwinvar()*
1575		The result is the value of option or local window variable
1576		{varname} in window {nr}.
1577		This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
1578		doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
1579		Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
1580		Examples: >
1581			:let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
1582			:echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
1583<
1584							*glob()*
1585glob({expr})	Expand the file wildcards in {expr}.  The result is a String.
1586		When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
1587		characters.
1588		If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
1589		A name for a non-existing file is not included.
1590
1591		For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
1592		any external command.  Example: >
1593			:let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
1594			:let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
1595<		The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
1596		item per line.  Spaces inside an item are allowed.
1597
1598		See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables.  See
1599		|system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
1600
1601globpath({path}, {expr})				*globpath()*
1602		Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
1603		the results.  Example: >
1604			:echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
1605<		{path} is a comma-separated list of directory names.  Each
1606		directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
1607		glob().  A path separator is inserted when needed.
1608		To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
1609		backslash.  Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
1610		trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
1611		If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
1612		error message.
1613		The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
1614		patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
1615
1616							*has()*
1617has({feature})	The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
1618		supported, zero otherwise.  The {feature} argument is a
1619		string.  See |feature-list| below.
1620		Also see |exists()|.
1621
1622hasmapto({what} [, {mode}])				*hasmapto()*
1623		The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
1624		contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
1625		and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
1626		{mode}.
1627		Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
1628		buffer are checked for a match.
1629		If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
1630		The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
1631			n	Normal mode
1632			v	Visual mode
1633			o	Operator-pending mode
1634			i	Insert mode
1635			l	Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
1636			c	Command-line mode
1637		When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
1638
1639		This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
1640		to a function in a Vim script.  Example: >
1641			:if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
1642			:   map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
1643			:endif
1644<		This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
1645		already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
1646
1647histadd({history}, {item})				*histadd()*
1648		Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
1649		one of:					*hist-names*
1650			"cmd"	 or ":"	  command line history
1651			"search" or "/"   search pattern history
1652			"expr"   or "="   typed expression history
1653			"input"  or "@"	  input line history
1654		If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
1655		shifted to become the newest entry.
1656		The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
1657		otherwise 0 is returned.
1658
1659		Example: >
1660			:call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
1661			:let date=input("Enter date: ")
1662<		This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
1663
1664histdel({history} [, {item}])				*histdel()*
1665		Clear {history}, ie. delete all its entries.  See |hist-names|
1666		for the possible values of {history}.
1667
1668		If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
1669		as regular expression.  All entries matching that expression
1670		will be removed from the history (if there are any).
1671		Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
1672		If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
1673		|:history-indexing|.  The respective entry will be removed
1674		if it exists.
1675
1676		The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
1677		otherwise 0 is returned.
1678
1679		Examples:
1680		Clear expression register history: >
1681			:call histdel("expr")
1682<
1683		Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
1684			:call histdel("/", '^\*')
1685<
1686		The following three are equivalent: >
1687			:call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
1688			:call histdel("search", -1)
1689			:call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
1690<
1691		To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
1692		the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
1693			:call histdel("search", -1)
1694			:let @/ = histget("search", -1)
1695
1696histget({history} [, {index}])				*histget()*
1697		The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
1698		{history}.  See |hist-names| for the possible values of
1699		{history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}.  If there is
1700		no such entry, an empty String is returned.  When {index} is
1701		omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
1702
1703		Examples:
1704		Redo the second last search from history. >
1705			:execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
1706
1707<		Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
1708		the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
1709			:command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
1710<
1711histnr({history})					*histnr()*
1712		The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
1713		See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
1714		If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
1715
1716		Example: >
1717			:let inp_index = histnr("expr")
1718<
1719hlexists({name})					*hlexists()*
1720		The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
1721		called {name} exists.  This is when the group has been
1722		defined in some way.  Not necessarily when highlighting has
1723		been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
1724		item.
1725							*highlight_exists()*
1726		Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
1727
1728							*hlID()*
1729hlID({name})	The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
1730		with name {name}.  When the highlight group doesn't exist,
1731		zero is returned.
1732		This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
1733		group.  For example, to get the background color of the
1734		"Comment" group: >
1735	:echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
1736<							*highlightID()*
1737		Obsolete name: highlightID().
1738
1739hostname()						*hostname()*
1740		The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
1741		which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
1742		256 characters long are truncated.
1743
1744iconv({expr}, {from}, {to})				*iconv()*
1745		The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
1746		from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
1747		When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
1748		The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
1749		can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
1750		Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
1751		feature.  Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
1752		can be done.
1753		This can be used to display messages with special characters,
1754		no matter what 'encoding' is set to.  Write the message in
1755		UTF-8 and use: >
1756			echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
1757<		Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
1758		from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8.  You
1759		cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
1760		{only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
1761
1762							*indent()*
1763indent({lnum})	The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
1764		current buffer.  The indent is counted in spaces, the value
1765		of 'tabstop' is relevant.  {lnum} is used just like in
1766		|getline()|.
1767		When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
1768
1769input({prompt} [, {text}])				*input()*
1770		The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
1771		the command-line.  The parameter is either a prompt string, or
1772		a blank string (for no prompt).  A '\n' can be used in the
1773		prompt to start a new line.  The highlighting set with
1774		|:echohl| is used for the prompt.  The input is entered just
1775		like a command-line, with the same editing commands and
1776		mappings.  There is a separate history for lines typed for
1777		input().
1778		If the optional {text} is present, this is used for the
1779		default reply, as if the user typed this.
1780		NOTE: This must not be used in a startup file, for the
1781		versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
1782		Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
1783		consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
1784		mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
1785		Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
1786		after input() to avoid that.  Another solution is to avoid
1787		that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
1788		|:execute| or |:normal|.
1789
1790		Example: >
1791			:if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
1792			:  echo "Cheers!"
1793			:endif
1794<		Example with default text: >
1795			:let color = input("Color? ", "white")
1796<		Example with a mapping: >
1797			:nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
1798			:function GetFoo()
1799			:  call inputsave()
1800			:  let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
1801			:  call inputrestore()
1802			:endfunction
1803
1804inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]])		*inputdialog()*
1805		Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
1806		supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
1807		Example: >
1808			:let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
1809			:if n != ""
1810			:  let &sw = n
1811			:endif
1812<		When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned.  When
1813		omitted an empty string is returned.
1814		Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button.  Hitting
1815		<Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
1816
1817inputrestore()						*inputrestore()*
1818		Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
1819		Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
1820		called.  Calling it more often is harmless though.
1821		Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
1822
1823inputsave()						*inputsave()*
1824		Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
1825		a following prompt gets input from the user.  Should be
1826		followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt.  Can
1827		be used several times, in which case there must be just as
1828		many inputrestore() calls.
1829		Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
1830
1831inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}])			*inputsecret()*
1832		This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
1833		two exceptions:
1834		a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
1835		asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
1836		b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
1837		|history| stack.
1838		The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
1839		typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
1840
1841isdirectory({directory})				*isdirectory()*
1842		The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
1843		with the name {directory} exists.  If {directory} doesn't
1844		exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE.  {directory}
1845		is any expression, which is used as a String.
1846
1847						*libcall()* *E364* *E368*
1848libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
1849		Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
1850		with single argument {argument}.
1851		This is useful to call functions in a library that you
1852		especially made to be used with Vim.  Since only one argument
1853		is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
1854		limited.
1855		The result is the String returned by the function.  If the
1856		function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
1857		to Vim.
1858		If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
1859		If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
1860		int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
1861		null-terminated string.
1862		This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
1863
1864		libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
1865		Vim without having to recompile the program.  It is NOT a
1866		means to call system functions!  If you try to do so Vim will
1867		very probably crash.
1868
1869		For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
1870		and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
1871		used in Windows System DLLs).  The function must take exactly
1872		one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
1873		and must return a character pointer or NULL.  The character
1874		pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
1875		after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
1876		DLL).  If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
1877		leak away.  Using a static buffer in the function should work,
1878		it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
1879
1880		WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
1881		crash!  This also happens if the function returns a number,
1882		because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
1883		For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
1884		without the ".DLL" suffix.  A full path is only required if
1885		the DLL is not in the usual places.
1886		For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
1887		object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
1888		{only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
1889		feature is present}
1890		Examples: >
1891			:echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
1892			:echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
1893<
1894							*libcallnr()*
1895libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
1896		Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
1897		int instead of a string.
1898		{only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
1899		feature is present}
1900		Example (not very useful...): >
1901			:call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
1902			:call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
1903<
1904							*line()*
1905line({expr})	The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
1906		position given with {expr}.  The accepted positions are:
1907		    .	    the cursor position
1908		    $	    the last line in the current buffer
1909		    'x	    position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1910			    returned)
1911		Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1912		Examples: >
1913			line(".")		line number of the cursor
1914			line("'t")		line number of mark t
1915			line("'" . marker)	line number of mark marker
1916<							*last-position-jump*
1917		This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
1918		just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
1919	:au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
1920
1921line2byte({lnum})					*line2byte()*
1922		Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
1923		{lnum}.  This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
1924		the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer.  The first
1925		line returns 1.
1926		This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
1927		below the last line: >
1928			line2byte(line("$") + 1)
1929<		This is the file size plus one.
1930		When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
1931		disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
1932		Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1933
1934lispindent({lnum})					*lispindent()*
1935		Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
1936		indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
1937		The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1938		relevant.  {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1939		When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
1940		|+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
1941
1942localtime()						*localtime()*
1943		Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
1944		1970.  See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
1945
1946maparg({name}[, {mode}])				*maparg()*
1947		Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}.  When there
1948		is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
1949		These characters can be used for {mode}:
1950			"n"	Normal
1951			"v"	Visual
1952			"o"	Operator-pending
1953			"i"	Insert
1954			"c"	Cmd-line
1955			"l"	langmap |language-mapping|
1956			""	Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
1957		When {mode} is omitted, the modes from "" are used.
1958		The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
1959		command.  The returned String has special characters
1960		translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
1961		The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
1962		then the global mappings.
1963
1964mapcheck({name}[, {mode}])				*mapcheck()*
1965		Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
1966		{mode}.  See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
1967		{name}.
1968		A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
1969		with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
1970
1971			matches mapping "a"     "ab"    "abc" ~
1972		   mapcheck("a")	yes	yes	 yes
1973		   mapcheck("abc")	yes	yes	 yes
1974		   mapcheck("ax")	yes	no	 no
1975		   mapcheck("b")	no	no	 no
1976
1977		The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
1978		mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
1979		mapping for {name} exactly.
1980		When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
1981		String is returned.  If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
1982		is returned.  If there are several mappings that start with
1983		{name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
1984		The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
1985		then the global mappings.
1986		This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
1987		without being ambiguous.  Example: >
1988	:if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
1989	:   map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
1990	:endif
1991<		This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
1992		mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
1993
1994match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}])				*match()*
1995		The result is a Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in
1996		{expr} where {pat} matches.  A match at the first character
1997		returns zero.  If there is no match -1 is returned.  Example: >
1998			:echo match("testing", "ing")
1999<		results in "4".
2000		See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
2001		If {start} is given, the search starts from index {start}.
2002		The result, however, is still the index counted from the
2003		first character. Example: >
2004			:echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
2005<		result is again "4". >
2006			:echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
2007<		result is again "4". >
2008			:echo match("testing", "t", 2)
2009<		result is "3".
2010		If {start} < 0, it will be set to 0.
2011		If {start} > strlen({expr}) -1 is returned.
2012		See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
2013		The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
2014		the pattern.  'smartcase' is NOT used.  The matching is always
2015		done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
2016
2017matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}])			*matchend()*
2018		Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
2019		the match.  Example: >
2020			:echo matchend("testing", "ing")
2021<		results in "7".
2022		The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
2023			:echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
2024<		results in "7". >
2025			:echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
2026<		result is "-1".
2027
2028matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}])			*matchstr()*
2029		Same as match(), but return the matched string.  Example: >
2030			:echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
2031<		results in "ing".
2032		When there is no match "" is returned.
2033		The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
2034			:echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
2035<		results in "ing". >
2036			:echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
2037<		result is "".
2038
2039							*mode()*
2040mode()		Return a string that indicates the current mode:
2041			n	Normal
2042			v	Visual by character
2043			V	Visual by line
2044			CTRL-V	Visual blockwise
2045			s	Select by character
2046			S	Select by line
2047			CTRL-S	Select blockwise
2048			i	Insert
2049			R	Replace
2050			c	Command-line
2051			r	Hit-enter prompt
2052		This is useful in the 'statusline' option.  In most other
2053		places it always returns "c" or "n".
2054
2055nextnonblank({lnum})					*nextnonblank()*
2056		Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
2057		that is not blank.  Example: >
2058			if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
2059<		When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
2060		below it, zero is returned.
2061		See also |prevnonblank()|.
2062
2063nr2char({expr})						*nr2char()*
2064		Return a string with a single character, which has the number
2065		value {expr}.  Examples: >
2066			nr2char(64)		returns "@"
2067			nr2char(32)		returns " "
2068<		The current 'encoding' is used.  Example for "utf-8": >
2069			nr2char(300)		returns I with bow character
2070<		Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
2071		nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
2072		characters.  nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
2073		string, thus isn't very useful.
2074
2075prevnonblank({lnum})					*prevnonblank()*
2076		Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
2077		that is not blank.  Example: >
2078			let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
2079<		When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
2080		above it, zero is returned.
2081		Also see |nextnonblank()|.
2082
2083							*remote_expr()* *E449*
2084remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
2085		Send the {string} to {server}.  The string is sent as an
2086		expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
2087		If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
2088		variable and a {serverid} for later use with
2089		remote_read() is stored there.
2090		See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
2091		This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2092		{only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
2093		Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
2094		and the result will be the empty string.
2095		Examples: >
2096			:echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
2097			:echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
2098<
2099
2100remote_foreground({server})				*remote_foreground()*
2101		Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
2102		This works like: >
2103			remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
2104<		Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
2105		around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
2106		to bring itself to the foreground.
2107		This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2108		{only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2109		Win32 console version}
2110
2111
2112remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}])		*remote_peek()*
2113		Returns a positive number if there are available strings
2114		from {serverid}.  Copies any reply string into the variable
2115		{retvar} if specified.  {retvar} must be a string with the
2116		name of a variable.
2117		Returns zero if none are available.
2118		Returns -1 if something is wrong.
2119		See also |clientserver|.
2120		This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2121		{only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
2122		Examples: >
2123			:let repl = ""
2124			:echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
2125
2126remote_read({serverid})				*remote_read()*
2127		Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
2128		it.  It blocks until a reply is available.
2129		See also |clientserver|.
2130		This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2131		{only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
2132		Example: >
2133			:echo remote_read(id)
2134<
2135							*remote_send()* *E241*
2136remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
2137		Send the {string} to {server}.  The string is sent as
2138		input keys and the function returns immediately.
2139		If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
2140		variable and a {serverid} for later use with
2141		remote_read() is stored there.
2142		See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
2143		This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2144		{only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
2145		Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
2146		up the display.
2147		Examples: >
2148		:echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
2149		 \ remote_read(serverid)
2150
2151		:autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
2152		 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
2153		:echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
2154		 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
2155
2156
2157rename({from}, {to})					*rename()*
2158		Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}.  This
2159		should also work to move files across file systems.  The
2160		result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
2161		successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
2162		This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2163
2164resolve({filename})					*resolve()* *E655*
2165		On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
2166		returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
2167		On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
2168		components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
2169		To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
2170		stopped after 100 iterations.
2171		On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
2172		The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
2173		resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
2174		current directory (provided the result is still a relative
2175		path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
2176
2177search({pattern} [, {flags}])				*search()*
2178		Search for regexp pattern {pattern}.  The search starts at the
2179		cursor position.
2180		{flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
2181		'b'	search backward instead of forward
2182		'w'	wrap around the end of the file
2183		'W'	don't wrap around the end of the file
2184		If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
2185
2186		When a match has been found its line number is returned, and
2187		the cursor will be positioned at the match.  If there is no
2188		match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't move.  No error
2189		message is given.
2190
2191		Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
2192		    :let n = 1
2193		    :while n <= argc()	    " loop over all files in arglist
2194		    :  exe "argument " . n
2195		    :  " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
2196		    :  " first search to find match at start of file
2197		    :  normal G$
2198		    :  let flags = "w"
2199		    :  while search("foo", flags) > 0
2200		    :    s/foo/bar/g
2201		    :	 let flags = "W"
2202		    :  endwhile
2203		    :  update		    " write the file if modified
2204		    :  let n = n + 1
2205		    :endwhile
2206<
2207							*searchpair()*
2208searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
2209		Search for the match of a nested start-end pair.  This can be
2210		used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
2211		if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
2212		The search starts at the cursor.  If a match is found, the
2213		cursor is positioned at it and the line number is returned.
2214		If no match is found 0 or -1 is returned and the cursor
2215		doesn't move.  No error message is given.
2216
2217		{start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|.  They
2218		must not contain \( \) pairs.  Use of \%( \) is allowed.  When
2219		{middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
2220		direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair.  A
2221		typical use is: >
2222			searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
2223<		By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
2224
2225		{flags} are used like with |search()|.  Additionally:
2226		'n'	do Not move the cursor
2227		'r'	Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
2228			outer pair
2229		'm'	return number of Matches instead of line number with
2230			the match; will only be > 1 when 'r' is used.
2231
2232		When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
2233		{skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
2234		the start of the match.  It should return non-zero if this
2235		match is to be skipped.  E.g., because it is inside a comment
2236		or a string.
2237		When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
2238		When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
2239		and -1 returned.
2240
2241		The value of 'ignorecase' is used.  'magic' is ignored, the
2242		patterns are used like it's on.
2243
2244		The search starts exactly at the cursor.  A match with
2245		{start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
2246		direction of searching, is the first one found.  Example: >
2247			if 1
2248			  if 2
2249			  endif 2
2250			endif 1
2251<		When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
2252		searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found.  When starting on
2253		the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
2254		found.  That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
2255		then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
2256		"endif 2".
2257		When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
2258		it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
2259		that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
2260		the matching start.
2261
2262		Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
2263
2264	:echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
2265			\ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
2266
2267<		The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
2268		to be found.  Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
2269		having to double the backslashes.  The skip expression only
2270		catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
2271		Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
2272		match.
2273		Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
2274
2275	:echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
2276
2277<		This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
2278		match is to be found.  To reject matches that syntax
2279		highlighting recognized as strings: >
2280
2281	:echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
2282	     \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
2283<
2284server2client( {clientid}, {string})			*server2client()*
2285		Send a reply string to {clientid}.  The most recent {clientid}
2286		that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
2287		{only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
2288		Note:
2289		This id has to be stored before the next command can be
2290		received. Ie. before returning from the received command and
2291		before calling any commands that waits for input.
2292		See also |clientserver|.
2293		Example: >
2294			:echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
2295<
2296serverlist()					*serverlist()*
2297		Return a list of available server names, one per line.
2298		When there are no servers or the information is not available
2299		an empty string is returned.  See also |clientserver|.
2300		{only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
2301		Example: >
2302			:echo serverlist()
2303<
2304setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val})			*setbufvar()*
2305		Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
2306		{val}.
2307		This also works for a global or local window option, but it
2308		doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
2309		For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
2310		For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2311		Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
2312		Examples: >
2313			:call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
2314			:call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
2315<		This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2316
2317setcmdpos({pos})					*setcmdpos()*
2318		Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
2319		{pos}.  The first position is 1.
2320		Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
2321		Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
2322		|c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|.  The position is set after the
2323		command line is set to the expression.
2324		When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
2325		line.  A number smaller than one has undefined results.
2326		Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
2327		line.
2328
2329setline({lnum}, {line})					*setline()*
2330		Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.  If this
2331		succeeds, 0 is returned.  If this fails (most likely because
2332		{lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned.  Example: >
2333			:call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
2334<		Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
2335
2336							*setreg()*
2337setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
2338		Set the register {regname} to {value}.
2339		If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
2340		then the value is appended.
2341		{options} can also contains a register type specification:
2342		    "c" or "v"	      |characterwise| mode
2343		    "l" or "V"	      |linewise| mode
2344		    "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
2345		If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
2346		used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
2347		then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
2348		in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
2349
2350		If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
2351		is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
2352		Setting the '=' register is not possible.
2353		Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
2354
2355		Examples: >
2356			:call setreg(v:register, @*)
2357			:call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
2358			:call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
2359
2360<		This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
2361		register. >
2362			:let var_a = getreg('a')
2363			:let var_amode = getregtype('a')
2364			    ....
2365			:call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
2366
2367<		You can also change the type of a register by appending
2368		nothing: >
2369			:call setreg('a', '', 'al')
2370
2371setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val})			*setwinvar()*
2372		Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
2373		{val}.
2374		This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
2375		doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
2376		For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
2377		Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
2378		Examples: >
2379			:call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
2380			:call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
2381<		This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2382
2383simplify({filename})					*simplify()*
2384		Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
2385		the meaning.  Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
2386		Unix) are not resolved.  If the first path component in
2387		{filename} designates the current directory, this will be
2388		valid for the result as well.  A trailing path separator is
2389		not removed either.
2390		Example: >
2391			simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
2392<		Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
2393		a searchable directory or does not exist.  On Unix, it is also
2394		removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
2395		directory.  In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
2396		links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
2397
2398strftime({format} [, {time}])				*strftime()*
2399		The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
2400		specified by the {format} string.  The given {time} is used,
2401		or the current time if no time is given.  The accepted
2402		{format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
2403		See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
2404		format.  The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
2405		See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
2406		The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
2407		Examples: >
2408		  :echo strftime("%c")		   Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
2409		  :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X")	   1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
2410		  :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T")	   970427 11:53:55
2411		  :echo strftime("%H:%M")	   11:55
2412		  :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
2413						   Show mod time of file.c.
2414<
2415stridx({haystack}, {needle})				*stridx()*
2416		The result is a Number, which gives the index in {haystack} of
2417		the first occurrence of the String {needle} in the String
2418		{haystack}. The search is done case-sensitive. For advanced
2419		searches use |match()|.
2420		If the {needle} does not occur in {haystack} it returns -1.
2421		See also |strridx()|. Examples: >
2422		  :echo stridx("An Example", "Example")	     3
2423		  :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start")    0
2424		  :echo stridx("Starting point", "start")   -1
2425<
2426							*strlen()*
2427strlen({expr})	The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
2428		{expr} in bytes.  If you want to count the number of
2429		multi-byte characters use something like this: >
2430
2431			:let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
2432
2433<		Composing characters are not counted.
2434
2435strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}])			*strpart()*
2436		The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
2437		byte {start}, with the length {len}.
2438		When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
2439		an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
2440		If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
2441		end of the {src}. >
2442			strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2)    == "de"
2443			strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4)   == "ab"
2444			strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4)    == "fg"
2445			strpart("abcdefg", 3)       == "defg"
2446<		Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0.  For
2447		example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
2448			strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3)
2449<
2450strridx({haystack}, {needle})				*strridx()*
2451		The result is a Number, which gives the index in {haystack} of
2452		the last occurrence of the String {needle} in the String
2453		{haystack}. The search is done case-sensitive. For advanced
2454		searches use |match()|.
2455		If the {needle} does not occur in {haystack} it returns -1.
2456		See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
2457		  :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an")	     3
2458<
2459strtrans({expr})					*strtrans()*
2460		The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
2461		characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
2462		Like they are shown in a window.  Example: >
2463			echo strtrans(@a)
2464<		This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
2465		starting a new line.
2466
2467submatch({nr})						*submatch()*
2468		Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command.  Returns
2469		the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text.  When {nr} is 0
2470		the whole matched text is returned.
2471		Example: >
2472			:s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
2473<		This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
2474		A line break is included as a newline character.
2475
2476substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})		*substitute()*
2477		The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
2478		the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}.  This works
2479		like the ":substitute" command (without any flags).  But the
2480		matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
2481		set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
2482		See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
2483		And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
2484		Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
2485		|sub-replace-special|.  For example, to replace something with
2486		"\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
2487		When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
2488		unmodified.
2489		When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
2490		replaced.  Otherwise {flags} should be "".
2491		Example: >
2492			:let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
2493<		This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
2494			:echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
2495<		results in "TESTING".
2496
2497synID({line}, {col}, {trans})				*synID()*
2498		The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
2499		{line} and {col} in the current window.
2500		The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
2501		|synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
2502		{col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {line} is 1 for the first
2503		line.
2504		When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
2505		item that they reveal.  This is useful when wanting to know
2506		the effective color.  When {trans} is zero, the transparent
2507		item is returned.  This is useful when wanting to know which
2508		syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
2509		Warning: This function can be very slow.  Best speed is
2510		obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
2511
2512		Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
2513			:echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
2514<
2515synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}])			*synIDattr()*
2516		The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
2517		syntax ID {synID}.  This can be used to obtain information
2518		about a syntax item.
2519		{mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
2520		for that mode.  When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
2521		used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
2522		used (GUI, cterm or term).
2523		Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
2524		{what}		result
2525		"name"		the name of the syntax item
2526		"fg"		foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
2527				the color, cterm: color number as a string,
2528				term: empty string)
2529		"bg"		background color (like "fg")
2530		"fg#"		like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
2531				running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
2532		"bg#"		like "fg#" for "bg"
2533		"bold"		"1" if bold
2534		"italic"	"1" if italic
2535		"reverse"	"1" if reverse
2536		"inverse"	"1" if inverse (= reverse)
2537		"underline"	"1" if underlined
2538
2539		Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
2540		cursor): >
2541	:echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
2542<
2543synIDtrans({synID})					*synIDtrans()*
2544		The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
2545		{synID}.  This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
2546		highlight the character.  Highlight links given with
2547		":highlight link" are followed.
2548
2549							*system()*
2550system({expr})	Get the output of the shell command {expr}.  Note: newlines
2551		in {expr} may cause the command to fail.  The characters in
2552		'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause trouble.
2553		This is not to be used for interactive commands.
2554		The result is a String.  Example: >
2555
2556			:let files = system("ls")
2557
2558<		To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
2559		is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
2560		<CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
2561		The command executed is constructed using several options:
2562	'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
2563		({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
2564		For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
2565		concatenated commands.
2566
2567		The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
2568		This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
2569		Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
2570		Use |:checktime| to force a check.
2571
2572tempname()					*tempname()* *temp-file-name*
2573		The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
2574		doesn't exist.  It can be used for a temporary file.  The name
2575		is different for at least 26 consecutive calls.  Example: >
2576			:let tmpfile = tempname()
2577			:exe "redir > " . tmpfile
2578<		For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
2579		accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
2580		(e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
2581		When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
2582		For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
2583		option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
2584
2585tolower({expr})						*tolower()*
2586		The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
2587		characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
2588		the string).
2589
2590toupper({expr})						*toupper()*
2591		The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
2592		characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
2593		the string).
2594
2595type({expr})						*type()*
2596		The result is a Number:
2597			0 if {expr} has the type Number
2598			1 if {expr} has the type String
2599
2600virtcol({expr})						*virtcol()*
2601		The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
2602		position given with {expr}.  That is, the last screen position
2603		occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
2604		would be of unlimited width.  When there is a <Tab> at the
2605		position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
2606		the <Tab>.  For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
2607		set to 8, it returns 8.
2608		For the byte position use |col()|.
2609		When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
2610		beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
2611		The accepted positions are:
2612		    .	    the cursor position
2613		    $	    the end of the cursor line (the result is the
2614			    number of displayed characters in the cursor line
2615			    plus one)
2616		    'x	    position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2617			    returned)
2618		Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2619		Examples: >
2620  virtcol(".")	   with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
2621  virtcol("$")	   with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
2622  virtcol("'t")    with text "    there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
2623<		The first column is 1.  0 is returned for an error.
2624
2625visualmode([expr])						*visualmode()*
2626		The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
2627		used.  Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
2628		mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
2629		single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
2630		block-wise Visual mode respectively.
2631		Example: >
2632			:exe "normal " . visualmode()
2633<		This enters the same Visual mode as before.  It is also useful
2634		in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
2635		Visual mode that was used.
2636
2637		If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
2638		or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
2639		and the old value is returned.  Note that " " and "0" are also
2640		non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
2641
2642							*winbufnr()*
2643winbufnr({nr})	The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
2644		associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
2645		the buffer in the current window is returned.  When window
2646		{nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
2647		Example: >
2648  :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
2649<
2650							*wincol()*
2651wincol()	The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
2652		cursor in the window.  This is counting screen cells from the
2653		left side of the window.  The leftmost column is one.
2654
2655winheight({nr})						*winheight()*
2656		The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
2657		When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
2658		returned.  When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
2659		An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
2660		Examples: >
2661  :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
2662<
2663							*winline()*
2664winline()	The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
2665		in the window.  This is counting screen lines from the top of
2666		the window.  The first line is one.
2667
2668							*winnr()*
2669winnr()		The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
2670		window.  The top window has number 1.  The number can be used
2671		with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w" |:wincmd|.
2672
2673							*winrestcmd()*
2674winrestcmd()	Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
2675		the current window sizes.  Only works properly when no windows
2676		are opened or closed and the current window is unchanged.
2677		Example: >
2678			:let cmd = winrestcmd()
2679			:call MessWithWindowSizes()
2680			:exe cmd
2681
2682winwidth({nr})						*winwidth()*
2683		The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
2684		When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
2685		returned.  When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
2686		An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
2687		Examples: >
2688  :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
2689  :if winwidth(0) <= 50
2690  :  exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
2691  :endif
2692<
2693
2694							*feature-list*
2695There are three types of features:
26961.  Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
2697    was compiled |+feature-list|.  Example: >
2698	:if has("cindent")
26992.  Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
2700    Example: >
2701	:if has("gui_running")
2702<							*has-patch*
27033.  Included patches.  First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
2704    Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
2705    this version.  Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
2706	:if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
2707
2708all_builtin_terms	Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
2709amiga			Amiga version of Vim.
2710arabic			Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
2711arp			Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
2712autocmd			Compiled with autocommands support.
2713balloon_eval		Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
2714beos			BeOS version of Vim.
2715browse			Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
2716			work.
2717builtin_terms		Compiled with some builtin terminals.
2718byte_offset		Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
2719cindent			Compiled with 'cindent' support.
2720clientserver		Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
2721clipboard		Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
2722cmdline_compl		Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
2723cmdline_hist		Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
2724cmdline_info		Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
2725comments		Compiled with |'comments'| support.
2726cryptv			Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
2727cscope			Compiled with |cscope| support.
2728compatible		Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
2729debug			Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
2730dialog_con		Compiled with console dialog support.
2731dialog_gui		Compiled with GUI dialog support.
2732diff			Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
2733digraphs		Compiled with support for digraphs.
2734dnd			Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
2735dos32			32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
2736dos16			16 bits DOS version of Vim.
2737ebcdic			Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
2738emacs_tags		Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
2739eval			Compiled with expression evaluation support.  Always
2740			true, of course!
2741ex_extra		Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
2742extra_search		Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
2743			|'hlsearch'|
2744farsi			Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
2745file_in_path		Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
2746find_in_path		Compiled with support for include file searches
2747			|+find_in_path|.
2748fname_case		Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
2749			Windows this is not present).
2750folding			Compiled with |folding| support.
2751footer			Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
2752fork			Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
2753gettext			Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
2754gui			Compiled with GUI enabled.
2755gui_athena		Compiled with Athena GUI.
2756gui_beos		Compiled with BeOS GUI.
2757gui_gtk			Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
2758gui_gtk2		Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
2759gui_mac			Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
2760gui_motif		Compiled with Motif GUI.
2761gui_photon		Compiled with Photon GUI.
2762gui_win32		Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
2763gui_win32s		idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
2764gui_running		Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
2765hangul_input		Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
2766iconv			Can use iconv() for conversion.
2767insert_expand		Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
2768			Insert mode.
2769jumplist		Compiled with |jumplist| support.
2770keymap			Compiled with 'keymap' support.
2771langmap			Compiled with 'langmap' support.
2772libcall			Compiled with |libcall()| support.
2773linebreak		Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
2774			support.
2775lispindent		Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
2776listcmds		Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
2777			and the argument list |arglist|.
2778localmap		Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
2779mac			Macintosh version of Vim.
2780macunix			Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
2781menu			Compiled with support for |:menu|.
2782mksession		Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
2783modify_fname		Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
2784mouse			Compiled with support mouse.
2785mouseshape		Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
2786mouse_dec		Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
2787mouse_gpm		Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
2788mouse_netterm		Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
2789mouse_pterm		Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
2790mouse_xterm		Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
2791multi_byte		Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
2792multi_byte_ime		Compiled with support for IME input method.
2793multi_lang		Compiled with support for multiple languages.
2794netbeans_intg		Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
2795ole			Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
2796os2			OS/2 version of Vim.
2797osfiletype		Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
2798path_extra		Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
2799perl			Compiled with Perl interface.
2800postscript		Compiled with PostScript file printing.
2801printer			Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
2802python			Compiled with Python interface.
2803qnx			QNX version of Vim.
2804quickfix		Compiled with |quickfix| support.
2805rightleft		Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
2806ruby			Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
2807scrollbind		Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
2808showcmd			Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
2809signs			Compiled with |:sign| support.
2810smartindent		Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
2811sniff			Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
2812statusline		Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
2813			and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
2814sun_workshop		Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
2815syntax			Compiled with syntax highlighting support.
2816syntax_items		There are active syntax highlighting items for the
2817			current buffer.
2818system			Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
2819tag_binary		Compiled with binary searching in tags files
2820			|tag-binary-search|.
2821tag_old_static		Compiled with support for old static tags
2822			|tag-old-static|.
2823tag_any_white		Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
2824			files |tag-any-white|.
2825tcl			Compiled with Tcl interface.
2826terminfo		Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
2827termresponse		Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
2828textobjects		Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
2829tgetent			Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
2830			or terminfo file.
2831title			Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
2832toolbar			Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
2833unix			Unix version of Vim.
2834user_commands		User-defined commands.
2835viminfo			Compiled with viminfo support.
2836vim_starting		True while initial source'ing takes place.
2837vertsplit		Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
2838virtualedit		Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
2839visual			Compiled with Visual mode.
2840visualextra		Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
2841			|blockwise-operators|.
2842vms			VMS version of Vim.
2843vreplace		Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
2844wildignore		Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
2845wildmenu		Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
2846windows			Compiled with support for more than one window.
2847winaltkeys		Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
2848win16			Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
2849win32			Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
2850win64			Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
2851win32unix		Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
2852win95			Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
2853writebackup		Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
2854xfontset		Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
2855xim			Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
2856xsmp			Compiled with X session management support.
2857xsmp_interact		Compiled with interactive X session management support.
2858xterm_clipboard		Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
2859xterm_save		Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
2860			xterm screen.
2861x11			Compiled with X11 support.
2862
2863							*string-match*
2864Matching a pattern in a String
2865
2866A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
2867the buffer lines.  When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
2868everything works in the same way.  The difference is that a String is handled
2869like it is one line.  When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
2870line break for the pattern.  It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
2871with ".".  Example: >
2872	:let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
2873	:echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
2874	aa
2875	xx
2876	:echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
2877	a
2878	x
2879
2880Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
2881"$" at the last character of the string.  They don't match after or before a
2882"\n".
2883
2884==============================================================================
28855. Defining functions					*user-functions*
2886
2887New functions can be defined.  These can be called just like builtin
2888functions.  The function executes a sequence of Ex commands.  Normal mode
2889commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
2890
2891The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
2892builtin functions.  To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
2893avoid obvious, short names.  A good habit is to start the function name with
2894the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
2895
2896It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|.
2897
2898							*local-function*
2899A function local to a script must start with "s:".  A local script function
2900can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
2901and autocommands defined in the script.  It is also possible to call the
2902function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
2903instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
2904
2905					*:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
2906:fu[nction]		List all functions and their arguments.
2907
2908:fu[nction] {name}	List function {name}.
2909							*E124* *E125*
2910:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort]
2911			Define a new function by the name {name}.  The name
2912			must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
2913			must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
2914						*function-argument* *a:var*
2915			An argument can be defined by giving its name.  In the
2916			function this can then be used as "a:name" ("a:" for
2917			argument).
2918			Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas.
2919			Finally, an argument "..." can be specified, which
2920			means that more arguments may be following.  In the
2921			function they can be used as "a:1", "a:2", etc.  "a:0"
2922			is set to the number of extra arguments (which can be
2923			0).
2924			When not using "...", the number of arguments in a
2925			function call must be equal to the number of named
2926			arguments.  When using "...", the number of arguments
2927			may be larger.
2928			It is also possible to define a function without any
2929			arguments.  You must still supply the () then.
2930			The body of the function follows in the next lines,
2931			until the matching |:endfunction|.  It is allowed to
2932			define another function inside a function body.
2933								*E127* *E122*
2934			When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
2935			not used an error message is given.  When [!] is used,
2936			an existing function is silently replaced.  Unless it
2937			is currently being executed, that is an error.
2938						*a:firstline* *a:lastline*
2939			When the [range] argument is added, the function is
2940			expected to take care of a range itself.  The range is
2941			passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline".  If [range]
2942			is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
2943			each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
2944			of each line.  See |function-range-example|.
2945			When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
2946			abort as soon as an error is detected.
2947			The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
2948			will not be changed by the function.
2949
2950					*:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
2951:endf[unction]		The end of a function definition.  Must be on a line
2952			by its own, without other commands.
2953
2954					*:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
2955:delf[unction] {name}	Delete function {name}.
2956
2957							*:retu* *:return* *E133*
2958:retu[rn] [expr]	Return from a function.  When "[expr]" is given, it is
2959			evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
2960			If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
2961			When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
2962			the number 0 is returned.
2963			Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
2964			thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
2965
2966			If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
2967			matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
2968			following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
2969			are executed first.  This process applies to all
2970			nested ":try"s inside the function.  The function
2971			returns at the outermost ":endtry".
2972
2973
2974Inside a function variables can be used.  These are local variables, which
2975will disappear when the function returns.  Global variables need to be
2976accessed with "g:".
2977
2978Example: >
2979  :function Table(title, ...)
2980  :  echohl Title
2981  :  echo a:title
2982  :  echohl None
2983  :  let idx = 1
2984  :  while idx <= a:0
2985  :    echo a:{idx} . ' '
2986  :    let idx = idx + 1
2987  :  endwhile
2988  :  return idx
2989  :endfunction
2990
2991This function can then be called with: >
2992  let lines = Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
2993  let lines = Table("Empty Table")
2994
2995To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
2996  :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
2997  :  if a:n2 == 0
2998  :    return "fail"
2999  :  endif
3000  :  let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
3001  :  return "ok"
3002  :endfunction
3003
3004This function can then be called with: >
3005  :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
3006  :if success == "ok"
3007  :  echo div
3008  :endif
3009
3010An alternative is to return a command that can be executed.  This also works
3011with local variables in a calling function.  Example: >
3012  :function Foo()
3013  :  execute Bar()
3014  :  echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
3015  :endfunction
3016
3017  :function Bar()
3018  :  return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
3019  :endfunction
3020
3021The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
3022the caller to set the names.
3023
3024							*:cal* *:call* *E107*
3025:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
3026		Call a function.  The name of the function and its arguments
3027		are as specified with |:function|.  Up to 20 arguments can be
3028		used.
3029		Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
3030		function is called once.  When a range is given the cursor is
3031		positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
3032		function.
3033		When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
3034		itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
3035		with the cursor in the first column of that line.  The cursor
3036		is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
3037		call).  The arguments are re-evaluated for each line.  Thus
3038		this works:
3039						*function-range-example*  >
3040	:function Mynumber(arg)
3041	:  echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
3042	:endfunction
3043	:1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
3044<
3045		The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
3046		can be used to do something different at the start or end of
3047		the range.
3048
3049		Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
3050
3051	:function Cont() range
3052	:  execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
3053	:endfunction
3054	:4,8call Cont()
3055<
3056		This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
3057		of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
3058
3059								*E132*
3060The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
3061option.
3062
3063							*autoload-functions*
3064When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
3065only when they are used.  Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a
3066pattern that matches the function(s) to be defined.  Example: >
3067
3068	:au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
3069
3070The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
3071"BufNet".  Also see |FuncUndefined|.
3072
3073==============================================================================
30746. Curly braces names					*curly-braces-names*
3075
3076Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
3077This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
3078{} like this: >
3079	my_{adjective}_variable
3080
3081When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
3082that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
3083name.  So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
3084"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
3085"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
3086
3087One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
3088value.  For example, the statement >
3089	echo my_{&background}_message
3090
3091would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
3092on the current value of 'background'.
3093
3094You can use multiple brace pairs: >
3095	echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
3096..or even nest them: >
3097	echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
3098where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
3099
3100However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
3101variable name. e.g. this is invalid: >
3102	:let foo='a + b'
3103	:echo c{foo}d
3104.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
3105
3106						*curly-braces-function-names*
3107You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
3108Example: >
3109	:let func_end='whizz'
3110	:call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
3111
3112This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
3113
3114==============================================================================
31157. Commands						*expression-commands*
3116
3117:let {var-name} = {expr1}				*:let* *E18*
3118			Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
3119			expression {expr1}.  The variable will get the type
3120			from the {expr}.  If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
3121			is created.
3122
3123:let ${env-name} = {expr1}			*:let-environment* *:let-$*
3124			Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
3125			the expression {expr1}.  The type is always String.
3126
3127:let @{reg-name} = {expr1}			*:let-register* *:let-@*
3128			Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
3129			{reg-name}.  {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
3130			must be the name of a writable register (see
3131			|registers|).  "@@" can be used for the unnamed
3132			register, "@/" for the search pattern.
3133			If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
3134			register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
3135			characterwise.
3136			This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
3137				:let @/ = ""
3138<			This is different from searching for an empty string,
3139			that would match everywhere.
3140
3141:let &{option-name} = {expr1}			*:let-option* *:let-star*
3142			Set option {option-name} to the result of the
3143			expression {expr1}.  The value is always converted to
3144			the type of the option.
3145			For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
3146			is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
3147			value and the global value is changed.
3148
3149:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
3150			Like above, but only set the local value of an option
3151			(if there is one).  Works like |:setlocal|.
3152
3153:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
3154			Like above, but only set the global value of an option
3155			(if there is one).  Works like |:setglobal|.
3156
3157							*E106*
3158:let {var-name}	..	List the value of variable {var-name}.  Several
3159			variable names may be given.
3160
3161:let			List the values of all variables.
3162
3163							*:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
3164:unl[et][!] {var-name} ...
3165			Remove the internal variable {var-name}.  Several
3166			variable names can be given, they are all removed.
3167			With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
3168			variables.
3169
3170:if {expr1}			*:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
3171:en[dif]		Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
3172			or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
3173
3174			From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
3175			between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored.  These two
3176			commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
3177			backwards compatible way.  Nesting was allowed.  Note
3178			that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
3179			part was not executed either.
3180
3181			You can use this to remain compatible with older
3182			versions: >
3183				:if version >= 500
3184				:  version-5-specific-commands
3185				:endif
3186<			The commands still need to be parsed to find the
3187			"endif".  Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
3188			new command.  For example, ":silent" is recognized as
3189			a ":substitute" command.  In that case ":execute" can
3190			avoid problems: >
3191				:if version >= 600
3192				:  execute "silent 1,$delete"
3193				:endif
3194<
3195			NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
3196			properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
3197
3198						*:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
3199:el[se]			Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
3200			or ":endif" if they previously were not being
3201			executed.
3202
3203					*:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
3204:elsei[f] {expr1}	Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
3205			is no extra ":endif".
3206
3207:wh[ile] {expr1}			*:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
3208							*E170* *E585* *E588*
3209:endw[hile]		Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
3210			as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
3211			When an error is detected from a command inside the
3212			loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
3213
3214			NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
3215			properly inside a ":while" loop.
3216
3217						*:continue* *:con* *E586*
3218:con[tinue]		When used inside a ":while", jumps back to the
3219			":while".  If it is used after a |:try| inside the
3220			":while" but before the matching |:finally| (if
3221			present), the commands following the ":finally" up to
3222			the matching |:endtry| are executed first.  This
3223			process applies to all nested ":try"s inside the
3224			":while".  The outermost ":endtry" then jumps back to
3225			the ":while".
3226
3227						*:break* *:brea* *E587*
3228:brea[k]		When used inside a ":while", skips to the command
3229			after the matching ":endwhile".  If it is used after
3230			a |:try| inside the ":while" but before the matching
3231			|:finally| (if present), the commands following the
3232			":finally" up to the matching |:endtry| are executed
3233			first.  This process applies to all nested ":try"s
3234			inside the ":while".  The outermost ":endtry" then
3235			jumps to the command after the ":endwhile".
3236
3237:try				*:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
3238:endt[ry]		Change the error handling for the commands between
3239			":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
3240			executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
3241			or autocommand invocations.
3242
3243			When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
3244			a |:finally| command following, execution continues
3245			after the ":finally".  Otherwise, or when the
3246			":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
3247			(dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
3248			a corresponding ":finally" etc.  Then the script
3249			processing is terminated.  (Whether a function
3250			definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
3251			Example: >
3252		:try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
3253		:echo "impossible"	" not reached, script terminated above
3254<
3255			Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
3256			":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception.  It
3257			can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
3258			command (see |:catch|).  In this case, the script
3259			processing is not terminated.
3260
3261			The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
3262			exception.  An error in a Vim command is converted
3263			to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
3264			other errors are converted to a value of the form
3265			"Vim:{errmsg}".  {command} is the full command name,
3266			and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
3267			error exception is not caught, always beginning with
3268			the error number.
3269			Examples: >
3270		:try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
3271		:try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
3272<
3273					*:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
3274:cat[ch] /{pattern}/	The following commands until the next ":catch",
3275			|:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
3276			|:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
3277			matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
3278			been caught by a previous ":catch".  Otherwise, these
3279			commands are skipped.
3280			When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
3281			Examples: >
3282		:catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/	" catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
3283		:catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/	" catch all Vim errors
3284		:catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/	" catch errors and interrupts
3285		:catch /^Vim(write):/		" catch all errors in :write
3286		:catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/	" catch error E123
3287		:catch /my-exception/		" catch user exception
3288		:catch /.*/			" catch everything
3289		:catch				" same as /.*/
3290<
3291			Another character can be used instead of / around the
3292			{pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
3293			meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
3294			{pattern}.
3295			NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
3296			an error message because it may vary in different
3297			locales.
3298
3299					*:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
3300:fina[lly]		The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
3301			are executed whenever the part between the matching
3302			|:try| and the ":finally" is left:  either by falling
3303			through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
3304			|:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
3305			interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
3306
3307							*:th* *:throw* *E608*
3308:th[row] {expr1}	The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
3309			If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
3310			first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
3311			until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
3312			If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
3313			used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
3314			commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
3315			the matching |:endtry| are executed.  If the ":throw"
3316			is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
3317			are skipped.  At the ":endtry", this process applies
3318			again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
3319			(which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
3320			script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
3321			If the exception is not caught, the command processing
3322			is terminated.
3323			Example: >
3324		:try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
3325<
3326
3327							*:ec* *:echo*
3328:ec[ho] {expr1} ..	Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between.  The
3329			first {expr1} starts on a new line.
3330			Also see |:comment|.
3331			Use "\n" to start a new line.  Use "\r" to move the
3332			cursor to the first column.
3333			Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
3334			Cannot be followed by a comment.
3335			Example: >
3336		:echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
3337<			A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
3338			To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
3339			a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
3340			you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
3341			command.  Example: >
3342		:new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
3343<
3344							*:echon*
3345:echon {expr1} ..	Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added.  Also see
3346			|:comment|.
3347			Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
3348			Cannot be followed by a comment.
3349			Example: >
3350				:echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
3351<
3352			Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
3353			Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
3354			command: >
3355		:!echo %		--> filename
3356<			The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
3357		:!echo "%"		--> filename or "filename"
3358<			Like the previous example.  Whether you see the double
3359			quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
3360		:echo %			--> nothing
3361<			The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
3362		:echo "%"		--> %
3363<			This just echoes the '%' character. >
3364		:echo expand("%")	--> filename
3365<			This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
3366
3367							*:echoh* *:echohl*
3368:echoh[l] {name}	Use the highlight group {name} for the following
3369			|:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands.  Also used
3370			for the |input()| prompt.  Example: >
3371		:echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
3372<			Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
3373			otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
3374
3375							*:echom* *:echomsg*
3376:echom[sg] {expr1} ..	Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
3377			message in the |message-history|.
3378			Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
3379			|:echo| command.  But unprintable characters are
3380			displayed, not interpreted.
3381			Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
3382			Example: >
3383		:echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
3384<
3385							*:echoe* *:echoerr*
3386:echoe[rr] {expr1} ..	Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
3387			message in the |message-history|.  When used in a
3388			script or function the line number will be added.
3389			Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
3390			:echo command.  When used inside a try conditional,
3391			the message is raised as an error exception instead
3392			(see |try-echoerr|).
3393			Example: >
3394		:echoerr "This script just failed!"
3395<			If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
3396			And to get a beep: >
3397		:exe "normal \<Esc>"
3398<
3399							*:exe* *:execute*
3400:exe[cute] {expr1} ..	Executes the string that results from the evaluation
3401			of {expr1} as an Ex command.  Multiple arguments are
3402			concatenated, with a space in between.  {expr1} is
3403			used as the processed command, command line editing
3404			keys are not recognized.
3405			Cannot be followed by a comment.
3406			Examples: >
3407		:execute "buffer " nextbuf
3408		:execute "normal " count . "w"
3409<
3410			":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
3411			that don't accept a '|'.  Example: >
3412		:execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
3413
3414<			":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
3415			control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
3416			command: >
3417		:execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
3418<			This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
3419
3420			Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
3421			you cannot start or end a "while" or "if" command.
3422			Thus this is illegal: >
3423		:execute 'while i > 5'
3424		:execute 'echo "test" | break'
3425<
3426			It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
3427			completely in the executed string: >
3428		:execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
3429<
3430
3431							*:comment*
3432			":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
3433			a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
3434			start of a string.  But, you can use '|' followed by a
3435			comment.  Example: >
3436		:echo "foo" | "this is a comment
3437
3438==============================================================================
34398. Exception handling					*exception-handling*
3440
3441The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature.  This section
3442explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
3443
3444Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
3445|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|.  You can also explicitly throw an
3446exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
3447
3448
3449TRY CONDITIONALS					*try-conditionals*
3450
3451Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed.  You can
3452use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
3453a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
3454   A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
3455|:endtry| command.  In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
3456a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause.  There may
3457be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
3458which must not be followed by any catch clauses.  The lines before the catch
3459clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
3460
3461     :try
3462     :  ...
3463     :  ...				TRY BLOCK
3464     :  ...
3465     :catch /{pattern}/
3466     :  ...
3467     :  ...				CATCH CLAUSE
3468     :  ...
3469     :catch /{pattern}/
3470     :  ...
3471     :  ...				CATCH CLAUSE
3472     :  ...
3473     :finally
3474     :  ...
3475     :  ...				FINALLY CLAUSE
3476     :  ...
3477     :endtry
3478
3479The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
3480appropriate actions.  Exceptions from the try block may be caught.  Exceptions
3481from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
3482   When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
3483is transferred to the finally clause, if present.  After its execution, the
3484script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
3485   When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
3486lines in the try block are skipped.  The exception is matched against the
3487patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands.  The catch clause
3488after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
3489executed.  The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
3490":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first.  Then, the finally clause
3491(if present) is executed.  When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
3492continues in the following line as usual.
3493   When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
3494":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
3495that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed.  Only the
3496finally clause, if present, is taken.  The exception pends during execution of
3497the finally clause.  It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
3498the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
3499see |try-nesting|.
3500   When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
3501remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed.  The new exception is
3502not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
3503try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken.  If there is, however,
3504a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
3505execution.  The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed.  The new
3506exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
3507   When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
3508thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped.  If the finally
3509clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
3510catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded.  The commands
3511following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
3512clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
3513
3514The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
3515a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
3516try block or a catch clause.  Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
3517from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
3518sourced script, respectively.  The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
3519":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
3520":endtry" is reached.  It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
3521from the finally clause.
3522   When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
3523try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
3524clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
3525":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual.  If the finally
3526clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
3527":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
3528this pending exception or command is discarded.
3529
3530For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
3531
3532
3533NESTING	OF TRY CONDITIONALS				*try-nesting*
3534
3535Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily.  That is, a complete try
3536conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
3537clause of another try conditional.  If the inner try conditional does not
3538catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
3539of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
3540checked according to the rules above.  If the inner try conditional is in the
3541try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
3542otherwise only the finally clause is executed.  It does not matter for
3543nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
3544one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
3545the inner try conditional.
3546
3547When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
3548finally clauses are executed.  Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
3549An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
3550thrown by a ":throw" command.  For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
3551implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
3552as usual.
3553
3554For examples see |throw-catch|.
3555
3556
3557EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE			*except-examine*
3558
3559Exception handling code can get tricky.  If you are in doubt what happens, set
3560'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
3561script file.  Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
3562finished.  When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
3563a finally clause are also shown.  This information is also given in debug mode
3564(see |debug-scripts|).
3565
3566
3567THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS			*throw-catch*
3568
3569You can throw any number or string as an exception.  Use the |:throw| command
3570and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
3571	:throw 4711
3572	:throw "string"
3573<							*throw-expression*
3574You can also specify an expression argument.  The expression is then evaluated
3575first, and the result is thrown: >
3576	:throw 4705 + strlen("string")
3577	:throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
3578
3579An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
3580command.  Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
3581The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
3582   Example: >
3583
3584	:function! Foo(arg)
3585	:  try
3586	:    throw a:arg
3587	:  catch /foo/
3588	:  endtry
3589	:  return 1
3590	:endfunction
3591	:
3592	:function! Bar()
3593	:  echo "in Bar"
3594	:  return 4710
3595	:endfunction
3596	:
3597	:throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
3598
3599This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
3600executed. >
3601	:throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
3602however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
3603
3604Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
3605abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation.  The
3606exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
3607   Example: >
3608
3609	:if Foo("arrgh")
3610	:  echo "then"
3611	:else
3612	:  echo "else"
3613	:endif
3614
3615Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
3616
3617							*catch-order*
3618Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
3619commands, see |try-conditionals|.   The values to be caught by each ":catch"
3620command can be specified as a pattern argument.  The subsequent catch clause
3621gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
3622   Example: >
3623
3624	:function! Foo(value)
3625	:  try
3626	:    throw a:value
3627	:  catch /^\d\+$/
3628	:    echo "Number thrown"
3629	:  catch /.*/
3630	:    echo "String thrown"
3631	:  endtry
3632	:endfunction
3633	:
3634	:call Foo(0x1267)
3635	:call Foo('string')
3636
3637The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
3638An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
3639specified.  Only the first match counts.  So you should place the more
3640specific ":catch" first.  The following order does not make sense: >
3641
3642	:  catch /.*/
3643	:    echo "String thrown"
3644	:  catch /^\d\+$/
3645	:    echo "Number thrown"
3646
3647The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
3648never taken.
3649
3650							*throw-variables*
3651If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
3652in the variable |v:exception|: >
3653
3654	:  catch /^\d\+$/
3655	:    echo "Number thrown.  Value is" v:exception
3656
3657You may also be interested where an exception was thrown.  This is stored in
3658|v:throwpoint|.  Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
3659exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
3660   Example: >
3661
3662	:function! Caught()
3663	:  if v:exception != ""
3664	:    echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
3665	:  else
3666	:    echo 'Nothing caught'
3667	:  endif
3668	:endfunction
3669	:
3670	:function! Foo()
3671	:  try
3672	:    try
3673	:      try
3674	:	 throw 4711
3675	:      finally
3676	:	 call Caught()
3677	:      endtry
3678	:    catch /.*/
3679	:      call Caught()
3680	:      throw "oops"
3681	:    endtry
3682	:  catch /.*/
3683	:    call Caught()
3684	:  finally
3685	:    call Caught()
3686	:  endtry
3687	:endfunction
3688	:
3689	:call Foo()
3690
3691This displays >
3692
3693	Nothing caught
3694	Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
3695	Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
3696	Nothing caught
3697
3698A practical example:  The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
3699number in the script or function where it has been used: >
3700
3701	:function! LineNumber()
3702	:    return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
3703	:endfunction
3704	:command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
3705<
3706							*try-nested*
3707An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
3708a surrounding try conditional: >
3709
3710	:try
3711	:  try
3712	:    throw "foo"
3713	:  catch /foobar/
3714	:    echo "foobar"
3715	:  finally
3716	:    echo "inner finally"
3717	:  endtry
3718	:catch /foo/
3719	:  echo "foo"
3720	:endtry
3721
3722The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
3723clause is executed.  The exception is then caught by the outer try
3724conditional.  The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
3725
3726							*throw-from-catch*
3727You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
3728catch clause: >
3729
3730	:function! Foo()
3731	:  throw "foo"
3732	:endfunction
3733	:
3734	:function! Bar()
3735	:  try
3736	:    call Foo()
3737	:  catch /foo/
3738	:    echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
3739	:    throw "bar"
3740	:  endtry
3741	:endfunction
3742	:
3743	:try
3744	:  call Bar()
3745	:catch /.*/
3746	:  echo "Caught" v:exception
3747	:endtry
3748
3749This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
3750
3751							*rethrow*
3752There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
3753"v:exception" instead: >
3754
3755	:function! Bar()
3756	:  try
3757	:    call Foo()
3758	:  catch /.*/
3759	:    echo "Rethrow" v:exception
3760	:    throw v:exception
3761	:  endtry
3762	:endfunction
3763<							*try-echoerr*
3764Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
3765exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
3766Trying so causes an error exception.  You should throw your own exception
3767denoting the situation.  If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
3768the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
3769
3770	:try
3771	:  try
3772	:    asdf
3773	:  catch /.*/
3774	:    echoerr v:exception
3775	:  endtry
3776	:catch /.*/
3777	:  echo v:exception
3778	:endtry
3779
3780This code displays
3781
3782	Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command:   asdf ~
3783
3784
3785CLEANUP CODE						*try-finally*
3786
3787Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end.  If the
3788user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
3789an inconsistent state.  The same may happen to you in the development phase of
3790a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
3791catching it.  You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
3792a finally clause for restoring the settings.  Its execution is guaranteed on
3793normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
3794(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
3795to exceptions.  When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
3796clause has been executed.)
3797Example: >
3798
3799	:try
3800	:  let s:saved_ts = &ts
3801	:  set ts=17
3802	:
3803	:  " Do the hard work here.
3804	:
3805	:finally
3806	:  let &ts = s:saved_ts
3807	:  unlet s:saved_ts
3808	:endtry
3809
3810This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
3811changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
3812that function or script part.
3813
3814							*break-finally*
3815Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
3816a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
3817   Example: >
3818
3819	:let first = 1
3820	:while 1
3821	:  try
3822	:    if first
3823	:      echo "first"
3824	:      let first = 0
3825	:      continue
3826	:    else
3827	:      throw "second"
3828	:    endif
3829	:  catch /.*/
3830	:    echo v:exception
3831	:    break
3832	:  finally
3833	:    echo "cleanup"
3834	:  endtry
3835	:  echo "still in while"
3836	:endwhile
3837	:echo "end"
3838
3839This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
3840
3841	:function! Foo()
3842	:  try
3843	:    return 4711
3844	:  finally
3845	:    echo "cleanup\n"
3846	:  endtry
3847	:  echo "Foo still active"
3848	:endfunction
3849	:
3850	:echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
3851
3852This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo".  You don't need to add an
3853extra ":return" in the finally clause.  (Above all, this would override the
3854return value.)
3855
3856							*except-from-finally*
3857Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
3858a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
3859cleanup actions for the try conditional.  But, of course, interrupt and error
3860exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
3861   Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
3862working correctly: >
3863
3864	:try
3865	:  try
3866	:    echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
3867	:    while 1
3868	:    endwhile
3869	:  finally
3870	:    unlet novar
3871	:  endtry
3872	:catch /novar/
3873	:endtry
3874	:echo "Script still running"
3875	:sleep 1
3876
3877If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
3878think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
3879|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
3880
3881
3882CATCHING ERRORS						*catch-errors*
3883
3884If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
3885watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message.  The
3886presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
3887exception.  No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then.  To find
3888the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
3889the error exception is.
3890   Error exceptions have the following format: >
3891
3892	Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
3893or >
3894	Vim:{errmsg}
3895
3896{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
3897the command name is not known.  {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
3898when the error occurs outside try conditionals.  It always begins with
3899a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
3900a space.
3901
3902Examples:
3903
3904The command >
3905	:unlet novar
3906normally produces the error message >
3907	E108: No such variable: "novar"
3908which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
3909	Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
3910
3911The command >
3912	:dwim
3913normally produces the error message >
3914	E492: Not an editor command: dwim
3915which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
3916	Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
3917
3918You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
3919	:catch /^Vim(unlet):/
3920or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
3921	:catch /^Vim:E492:/
3922
3923Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
3924	:function nofunc
3925and >
3926	:delfunction nofunc
3927both produce the error message >
3928	E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
3929which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
3930	Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
3931or >
3932	Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
3933respectively.  You can catch the error by its number independently on the
3934command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
3935	:catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
3936
3937Some commands like >
3938	:let x = novar
3939produce multiple error messages, here: >
3940	E121: Undefined variable: novar
3941	E15: Invalid expression:  novar
3942Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
3943one (see |except-several-errors|).  So you can catch it by >
3944	:catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
3945
3946You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
3947	:catch /\<nofunc\>/
3948
3949You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
3950	:catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
3951
3952You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
3953	:catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
3954<
3955							*catch-text*
3956NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
3957	:catch /No such variable/
3958only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
3959a different language by the |:language| command.  It is however helpful to
3960cite the message text in a comment: >
3961	:catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/   " No such variable
3962
3963
3964IGNORING ERRORS						*ignore-errors*
3965
3966You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
3967
3968	:try
3969	:  write
3970	:catch
3971	:endtry
3972
3973But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
3974catch more than you want.  With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
3975be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
3976
3977	:au BufWritePre * unlet novar
3978
3979There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
3980writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands.  You would
3981then hide the error from the user.
3982   It is much better to use >
3983
3984	:try
3985	:  write
3986	:catch /^Vim(write):/
3987	:endtry
3988
3989which only catches real write errors.  So catch only what you'd like to ignore
3990intentionally.
3991
3992For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
3993even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
3994command: >
3995	:silent! nunmap k
3996This works also when a try conditional is active.
3997
3998
3999CATCHING INTERRUPTS					*catch-interrupt*
4000
4001When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
4002the exception "Vim:Interrupt".  You can catch it like every exception.  The
4003script is not terminated, then.
4004   Example: >
4005
4006	:function! TASK1()
4007	:  sleep 10
4008	:endfunction
4009
4010	:function! TASK2()
4011	:  sleep 20
4012	:endfunction
4013
4014	:while 1
4015	:  let command = input("Type a command: ")
4016	:  try
4017	:    if command == ""
4018	:      continue
4019	:    elseif command == "END"
4020	:      break
4021	:    elseif command == "TASK1"
4022	:      call TASK1()
4023	:    elseif command == "TASK2"
4024	:      call TASK2()
4025	:    else
4026	:      echo "\nIllegal command:" command
4027	:      continue
4028	:    endif
4029	:  catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
4030	:    echo "\nCommand interrupted"
4031	:    " Caught the interrupt.  Continue with next prompt.
4032	:  endtry
4033	:endwhile
4034
4035You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
4036a new command.  If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
4037
4038For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
4039your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
4040command on that line.  See |debug-scripts|.
4041
4042
4043CATCHING ALL						*catch-all*
4044
4045The commands >
4046
4047	:catch /.*/
4048	:catch //
4049	:catch
4050
4051catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
4052explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command.  This is useful at the top level of
4053a script in order to catch unexpected things.
4054   Example: >
4055
4056	:try
4057	:
4058	:  " do the hard work here
4059	:
4060	:catch /MyException/
4061	:
4062	:  " handle known problem
4063	:
4064	:catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
4065	:    echo "Script interrupted"
4066	:catch /.*/
4067	:  echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
4068	:  echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
4069	:endtry
4070	:" end of script
4071
4072Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want.  Thus, you are
4073strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
4074specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
4075   Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
4076by pressing CTRL-C: >
4077
4078	:while 1
4079	:  try
4080	:    sleep 1
4081	:  catch
4082	:  endtry
4083	:endwhile
4084
4085
4086EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS				*except-autocmd*
4087
4088Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands.  Example: >
4089
4090	:autocmd User x try
4091	:autocmd User x   throw "Oops!"
4092	:autocmd User x catch
4093	:autocmd User x   echo v:exception
4094	:autocmd User x endtry
4095	:autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
4096	:autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
4097	:
4098	:try
4099	:  doautocmd User x
4100	:catch
4101	:  echo v:exception
4102	:endtry
4103
4104This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
4105
4106							*except-autocmd-Pre*
4107For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
4108command takes place.  If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
4109of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
4110abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
4111   Example: >
4112
4113	:autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
4114	:autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
4115	:
4116	:try
4117	:  write
4118	:catch
4119	:  echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
4120	:endtry
4121
4122Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
4123you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
4124autocommand abandons the ":write".  The exception is then caught and the
4125script displays: >
4126
4127	Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
4128<
4129							*except-autocmd-Post*
4130For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
4131command has taken place.  If this main action fails and the command is inside
4132an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
4133is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
4134   Example: >
4135
4136	:autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
4137	:
4138	:try
4139	:  write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
4140	:catch
4141	:  echo v:exception
4142	:endtry
4143
4144This just displays: >
4145
4146	Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
4147
4148If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
4149fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
4150   Example: >
4151
4152	:autocmd BufWritePre  * set noreadonly
4153	:autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
4154	:
4155	:try
4156	:  write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
4157	:catch
4158	:  doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
4159	:endtry
4160<
4161You can also use ":silent!": >
4162
4163	:let x = "ok"
4164	:let v:errmsg = ""
4165	:autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
4166	:autocmd BufWritePost *   let x = "after fail"
4167	:autocmd BufWritePost * endif
4168	:try
4169	:  silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
4170	:catch
4171	:endtry
4172	:echo x
4173
4174This displays "after fail".
4175
4176If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
4177autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command:  >
4178
4179	:autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
4180	:autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
4181	:
4182	:try
4183	:  write
4184	:catch
4185	:  echo v:exception
4186	:endtry
4187<
4188							*except-autocmd-Cmd*
4189For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
4190autocommands.  Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
4191of the command.
4192   Example:  For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
4193had actually been written when the exception occurred.  You need to tell it in
4194some way. >
4195
4196	:if !exists("cnt")
4197	:  let cnt = 0
4198	:
4199	:  autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
4200	:  autocmd BufWriteCmd *   let cnt = cnt + 1
4201	:  autocmd BufWriteCmd *   if cnt % 3 == 2
4202	:  autocmd BufWriteCmd *     throw "BufWriteCmdError"
4203	:  autocmd BufWriteCmd *   endif
4204	:  autocmd BufWriteCmd *   write | set nomodified
4205	:  autocmd BufWriteCmd *   if cnt % 3 == 0
4206	:  autocmd BufWriteCmd *     throw "BufWriteCmdError"
4207	:  autocmd BufWriteCmd *   endif
4208	:  autocmd BufWriteCmd *   echo "File successfully written!"
4209	:  autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
4210	:endif
4211	:
4212	:try
4213	:	write
4214	:catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
4215	:  if &modified
4216	:    echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
4217	:  else
4218	:    echo "Error after writing"
4219	:  endif
4220	:catch /^Vim(write):/
4221	:    echo "Error on writing"
4222	:endtry
4223
4224When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
4225first >
4226	File successfully written!
4227then >
4228	Error on writing (file contents not changed)
4229then >
4230	Error after writing
4231etc.
4232
4233							*except-autocmd-ill*
4234You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
4235The following code is ill-formed: >
4236
4237	:autocmd BufWritePre  * try
4238	:
4239	:autocmd BufWritePost * catch
4240	:autocmd BufWritePost *   echo v:exception
4241	:autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
4242	:
4243	:write
4244
4245
4246EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS	*except-hier-param*
4247
4248Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
4249pass additional information with the object of an exception class.  You can do
4250similar things in Vim.
4251   In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
4252class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
4253string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
4254   When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
4255it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
4256for an error when writing "myfile".
4257   With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
4258base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy.  Additional information in
4259parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
4260   Example: >
4261
4262	:function! CheckRange(a, func)
4263	:  if a:a < 0
4264	:    throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
4265	:  endif
4266	:endfunction
4267	:
4268	:function! Add(a, b)
4269	:  call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
4270	:  call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
4271	:  let c = a:a + a:b
4272	:  if c < 0
4273	:    throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
4274	:  endif
4275	:  return c
4276	:endfunction
4277	:
4278	:function! Div(a, b)
4279	:  call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
4280	:  call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
4281	:  if (a:b == 0)
4282	:    throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
4283	:  endif
4284	:  return a:a / a:b
4285	:endfunction
4286	:
4287	:function! Write(file)
4288	:  try
4289	:    execute "write" a:file
4290	:  catch /^Vim(write):/
4291	:    throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
4292	:  endtry
4293	:endfunction
4294	:
4295	:try
4296	:
4297	:  " something with arithmetics and I/O
4298	:
4299	:catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
4300	:  let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
4301	:  echo "Range error in" function
4302	:
4303	:catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/	" catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
4304	:  echo "Math error"
4305	:
4306	:catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
4307	:  let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
4308	:  let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
4309	:  if file !~ '^/'
4310	:    let file = dir . "/" . file
4311	:  endif
4312	:  echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
4313	:
4314	:catch /^EXCEPT/
4315	:  echo "Unspecified error"
4316	:
4317	:endtry
4318
4319The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
4320a flat hierarchy:  they are all in the "Vim" class.  You cannot throw yourself
4321exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
4322   Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
4323failed, if known.  See |catch-errors|.
4324
4325
4326PECULIARITIES
4327							*except-compat*
4328The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
4329exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
4330and/or a catch clause.
4331
4332In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
4333continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
4334after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
4335functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
4336or ":endif".  On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
4337(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
4338
4339This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
4340immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
4341conditional is active.  This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
4342be caught only from an active try conditional.  If you want an immediate
4343termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
4344catch clause.  (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
4345by specifying a finally clause.)
4346
4347When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
4348behavior is used instead of immediate abortion.  This ensures compatibility of
4349scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
4350
4351However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
4352commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
4353conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
4354script on error.  You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
4355error in the new script.  If however the sourced script suppresses error
4356messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
4357|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed.  The error is
4358not converted to an exception.  (See |:silent|.)  So the only remaining cause
4359where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
4360error messages.  You probably won't want to use such code from your new
4361scripts.
4362
4363							*except-syntax-err*
4364Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
4365the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to.  Its finally
4366clauses, however, is executed.
4367   Example: >
4368
4369	:try
4370	:  try
4371	:    throw 4711
4372	:  catch /\(/
4373	:    echo "in catch with syntax error"
4374	:  catch
4375	:    echo "inner catch-all"
4376	:  finally
4377	:    echo "inner finally"
4378	:  endtry
4379	:catch
4380	:  echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
4381	:  finally
4382	:    echo "outer finally"
4383	:endtry
4384
4385This displays: >
4386    inner finally
4387    outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
4388    outer finally
4389The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
4390
4391							*except-single-line*
4392The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
4393a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
4394"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
4395   Example: >
4396	:try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
4397raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
4398argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
4399error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
4400displayed.
4401
4402							*except-several-errors*
4403When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
4404usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
4405   Example: >
4406	echo novar
4407causes >
4408	E121: Undefined variable: novar
4409	E15: Invalid expression: novar
4410The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
4411	Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
4412<							*except-syntax-error*
4413But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
4414the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
4415   Example: >
4416	unlet novar #
4417causes >
4418	E108: No such variable: "novar"
4419	E488: Trailing characters
4420The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
4421	Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
4422This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
4423not intended by the user.  Example: >
4424	try
4425	    try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
4426	catch /.*/
4427	    echo "outer catch:" v:exception
4428	endtry
4429This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
4430a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
4431
4432==============================================================================
44339. Examples						*eval-examples*
4434
4435Printing in Hex ~
4436>
4437  :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
4438  :func Nr2Hex(nr)
4439  :  let n = a:nr
4440  :  let r = ""
4441  :  while n
4442  :    let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
4443  :    let n = n / 16
4444  :  endwhile
4445  :  return r
4446  :endfunc
4447
4448  :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
4449  :" character Hex string.
4450  :func String2Hex(str)
4451  :  let out = ''
4452  :  let ix = 0
4453  :  while ix < strlen(a:str)
4454  :    let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
4455  :    let ix = ix + 1
4456  :  endwhile
4457  :  return out
4458  :endfunc
4459
4460Example of its use: >
4461  :echo Nr2Hex(32)
4462result: "20" >
4463  :echo String2Hex("32")
4464result: "3332"
4465
4466
4467Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
4468
4469Here is a Vim script to sort lines.  Highlight the lines in Vim and type
4470":Sort".  This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
4471platform.  The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
4472function as its argument, like qsort() does in C.  So you could supply it
4473with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
4474>
4475  :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
4476  :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
4477  :  if (a:str1 < a:str2)
4478  :	return -1
4479  :  elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
4480  :	return 1
4481  :  else
4482  :	return 0
4483  :  endif
4484  :endfunction
4485
4486  :" Sort lines.  SortR() is called recursively.
4487  :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
4488  :  if (a:start >= a:end)
4489  :	return
4490  :  endif
4491  :  let partition = a:start - 1
4492  :  let middle = partition
4493  :  let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
4494  :  let i = a:start
4495  :  while (i <= a:end)
4496  :	let str = getline(i)
4497  :	exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
4498  :	if (result <= 0)
4499  :	    " Need to put it before the partition.  Swap lines i and partition.
4500  :	    let partition = partition + 1
4501  :	    if (result == 0)
4502  :		let middle = partition
4503  :	    endif
4504  :	    if (i != partition)
4505  :		let str2 = getline(partition)
4506  :		call setline(i, str2)
4507  :		call setline(partition, str)
4508  :	    endif
4509  :	endif
4510  :	let i = i + 1
4511  :  endwhile
4512
4513  :  " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
4514  :  " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition.  Make sure it is at
4515  :  " the end of the partition.
4516  :  if (middle != partition)
4517  :	let str = getline(middle)
4518  :	let str2 = getline(partition)
4519  :	call setline(middle, str2)
4520  :	call setline(partition, str)
4521  :  endif
4522  :  call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
4523  :  call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
4524  :endfunc
4525
4526  :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
4527  :" function that will compare two lines.
4528  :func! Sort(cmp) range
4529  :  call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
4530  :endfunc
4531
4532  :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
4533  :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
4534<
4535							*sscanf*
4536There is no sscanf() function in Vim.  If you need to extract parts from a
4537line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it.  This example shows
4538how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
4539"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
4540   :" Set up the match bit
4541   :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
4542   :"get the part matching the whole expression
4543   :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
4544   :"get each item out of the match
4545   :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
4546   :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
4547   :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
4548
4549The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
4550"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
4551
4552==============================================================================
455310. No +eval feature				*no-eval-feature*
4554
4555When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
4556evaluation commands are available.  To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
4557to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
4558recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
4559and the matching ":endif" is ignored.  Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
4560only if the commands are at the start of the line.  The ":else" command is not
4561recognized.
4562
4563Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
4564missing: >
4565
4566	:if 1
4567	:  echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
4568	:else
4569	:  echo "You will _never_ see this message"
4570	:endif
4571
4572==============================================================================
457311. The sandbox					*eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
4574
4575The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
4576options are evaluated in a sandbox.  This means that you are protected from
4577these expressions having nasty side effects.  This gives some safety for when
4578these options are set from a modeline.  It is also used when the command from
4579a tags file is executed.
4580This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
4581
4582These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
4583	- changing the buffer text
4584	- defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
4585	- setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
4586	- executing a shell command
4587	- reading or writing a file
4588	- jumping to another buffer or editing a file
4589
4590 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl:
4591