1*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2004 Jun 30 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:insertmode* *insertmode-variable* 683v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand 684 events. Values: 685 i Insert mode 686 r Replace mode 687 v Virtual Replace mode 688 689 *v:lang* *lang-variable* 690v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime 691 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the 692 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES. 693 The value is system dependent. 694 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language| 695 command. 696 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired 697 in a different language than what is used for character 698 encoding. See |multi-lang|. 699 700 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable* 701v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime 702 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the 703 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME. 704 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language| 705 command. See |multi-lang|. 706 707 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable* 708v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' and 'indentexpr' expressions. 709 Only valid while one of these expressions is being evaluated. 710 Read-only. |fold-expr| 'indentexpr' 711 712 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable* 713v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command. 714 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if 715 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. > 716 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR> 717< Read-only. 718 719 *v:progname* *progname-variable* 720v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was 721 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view", 722 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim. 723 Read-only. 724 725 *v:register* *register-variable* 726v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode 727 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()| 728 729 *v:servername* *servername-variable* 730v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any. 731 Read-only. 732 733 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable* 734v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last 735 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem. 736 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim. 737 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be 738 executed. Read-only. 739 Example: > 740 :!mv foo bar 741 :if v:shell_error 742 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!' 743 :endif 744< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility. 745 746 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable* 747v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable. 748 749 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable* 750v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV| 751 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence 752 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only 753 digits, ';' and '.' in between. 754 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is 755 fired, so that you can react to the response from the 756 terminal. 757 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp 758 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the 759 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's 760 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero. 761 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature} 762 763 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable* 764v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See 765 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no 766 session file has been saved, this variable is empty. 767 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility. 768 769 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable* 770v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not 771 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See 772 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|. 773 Example: > 774 :try 775 : throw "oops" 776 :catch /.*/ 777 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint 778 :endtry 779< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2" 780 781 *v:version* *version-variable* 782v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus 783 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01) 784 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards 785 compatibility. 786 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: > 787 if has("patch123") 788< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both 789 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are 790 completely different. 791 792 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable* 793v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable. 794 795============================================================================== 7964. Builtin Functions *functions* 797 798See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for. 799 800(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation) 801 802USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~ 803 804append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum} 805argc() Number number of files in the argument list 806argidx() Number current index in the argument list 807argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list 808browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default}) 809 String put up a file requester 810bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists 811buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed 812bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded 813bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr} 814bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr} 815bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr} 816byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte} 817char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr} 818cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum} 819col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark 820confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]]) 821 Number number of choice picked by user 822cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]]) 823 Number checks existence of cscope connection 824cursor( {lnum}, {col}) Number position cursor at {lnum}, {col} 825delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname} 826did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used 827escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\' 828eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler 829executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists 830exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists 831expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr} 832filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file 833filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file 834fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name 835foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed 836foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed 837foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum} 838foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold 839foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground 840getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user 841getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character 842getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in buffer {expr} 843getcmdline() String return the current command-line 844getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line 845getcwd() String the current working directory 846getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file 847getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file 848getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} from current buffer 849getreg( [{regname}]) String contents of register 850getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register 851getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window 852getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window 853getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in window {nr} 854glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr} 855globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path} 856has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported 857hasmapto( {what} [, {mode}]) Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists 858histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history 859histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history 860histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history 861histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history 862hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists 863hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name} 864hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on 865iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr} 866indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum} 867input( {prompt} [, {text}]) String get input from the user 868inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog 869inputrestore() Number restore typeahead 870inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead 871inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text 872isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory 873libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg} 874libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number 875line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark 876line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum} 877lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum} 878localtime() Number current time 879maparg( {name}[, {mode}]) String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode} 880mapcheck( {name}[, {mode}]) String check for mappings matching {name} 881match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}]) 882 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr} 883matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}]) 884 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr} 885matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}]) 886 String match of {pat} in {expr} 887mode() String current editing mode 888nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum} 889nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr} 890prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum} 891remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}]) 892 String send expression 893remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground 894remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}]) 895 Number check for reply string 896remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string 897remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}]) 898 String send key sequence 899rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to} 900resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to 901search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern} 902searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]]) 903 Number search for other end of start/end pair 904server2client( {clientid}, {string}) 905 Number send reply string 906serverlist() String get a list of available servers 907setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val} 908setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line 909setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line} 910setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type 911setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val} 912simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible 913strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format 914stridx( {haystack}, {needle}) Number first index of {needle} in {haystack} 915strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr} 916strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}]) 917 String {len} characters of {src} at {start} 918strridx( {haystack}, {needle}) Number last index of {needle} in {haystack} 919strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable 920submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute" 921substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) 922 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub} 923synID( {line}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {line} and {col} 924synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) 925 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID} 926synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID} 927system( {expr}) String output of shell command {expr} 928tempname() String name for a temporary file 929tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase 930toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase 931type( {name}) Number type of variable {name} 932virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark 933visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used 934winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr} 935wincol() Number window column of the cursor 936winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr} 937winline() Number window line of the cursor 938winnr() Number number of current window 939winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes 940winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr} 941 942append({lnum}, {string}) *append()* 943 Append the text {string} after line {lnum} in the current 944 buffer. {lnum} can be zero, to insert a line before the first 945 one. Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range) or 0 for 946 success. 947 948 *argc()* 949argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the 950 current window. See |arglist|. 951 952 *argidx()* 953argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is 954 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|. 955 956 *argv()* 957argv({nr}) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the 958 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one. 959 Example: > 960 :let i = 0 961 :while i < argc() 962 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ') 963 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>' 964 : let i = i + 1 965 :endwhile 966< 967 *browse()* 968browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default}) 969 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")" 970 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions). 971 The input fields are: 972 {save} when non-zero, select file to write 973 {title} title for the requester 974 {initdir} directory to start browsing in 975 {default} default file name 976 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or 977 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned. 978 979bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()* 980 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called 981 {expr} exists. 982 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used. 983 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name 984 exactly. The name can be: 985 - Relative to the current directory. 986 - A full path. 987 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile". 988 - A URL name. 989 Unlisted buffers will be found. 990 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the 991 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their 992 long name to be able to find them. 993 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate 994 file name. 995 *buffer_exists()* 996 Obsolete name: buffer_exists(). 997 998buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()* 999 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called 1000 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set). 1001 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|. 1002 1003bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()* 1004 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called 1005 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden). 1006 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|. 1007 1008bufname({expr}) *bufname()* 1009 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the 1010 ":ls" command. 1011 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given. 1012 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window. 1013 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match 1014 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is 1015 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one 1016 match an empty string is returned. 1017 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the 1018 alternate buffer. 1019 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end 1020 or middle of the buffer name is accepted. 1021 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match 1022 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted 1023 buffers are searched for. 1024 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer 1025 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: > 1026 :echo bufname("3" + 0) 1027< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty 1028 string is returned. > 1029 bufname("#") alternate buffer name 1030 bufname(3) name of buffer 3 1031 bufname("%") name of current buffer 1032 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches. 1033< *buffer_name()* 1034 Obsolete name: buffer_name(). 1035 1036 *bufnr()* 1037bufnr({expr}) The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by 1038 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| 1039 above. If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. 1040 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: > 1041 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$") 1042< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number 1043 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller 1044 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed 1045 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer. 1046 *buffer_number()* 1047 Obsolete name: buffer_number(). 1048 *last_buffer_nr()* 1049 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr(). 1050 1051bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()* 1052 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first 1053 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr}, 1054 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or 1055 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: > 1056 1057 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1)) 1058 1059< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w" 1060 |:wincmd|. 1061 1062 1063byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()* 1064 Return the line number that contains the character at byte 1065 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the 1066 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option 1067 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count 1068 one. 1069 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|. 1070 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset| 1071 feature} 1072 1073char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()* 1074 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: > 1075 char2nr(" ") returns 32 1076 char2nr("ABC") returns 65 1077< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": > 1078 char2nr("�") returns 225 1079 char2nr("�"[0]) returns 195 1080 1081cindent({lnum}) *cindent()* 1082 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C 1083 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'. 1084 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is 1085 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|. 1086 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent| 1087 feature, -1 is returned. 1088 1089 *col()* 1090col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the column of the file 1091 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are: 1092 . the cursor position 1093 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the 1094 number of characters in the cursor line plus one) 1095 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is 1096 returned) 1097 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|. 1098 Note that only marks in the current file can be used. 1099 Examples: > 1100 col(".") column of cursor 1101 col("$") length of cursor line plus one 1102 col("'t") column of mark t 1103 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname 1104< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error. 1105 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the 1106 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the 1107 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: > 1108 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR> 1109 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR> 1110 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar> 1111 \let &ve = save_ve<CR> 1112< 1113 *confirm()* 1114confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]]) 1115 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be 1116 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first 1117 choice this is 1. 1118 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog 1119 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|. 1120 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the 1121 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is 1122 used (and translated). 1123 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on 1124 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit. 1125 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated 1126 by '\n', e.g. > 1127 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel") 1128< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice. 1129 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does 1130 not need to be the first letter: > 1131 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All") 1132< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as 1133 the default shortcut key. 1134 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice 1135 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first 1136 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If 1137 {default} is omitted, 1 is used. 1138 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This 1139 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of 1140 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or 1141 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type} 1142 is omitted, "Generic" is used. 1143 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C, 1144 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0. 1145 1146 An example: > 1147 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2) 1148 :if choice == 0 1149 : echo "make up your mind!" 1150 :elseif choice == 3 1151 : echo "tasteful" 1152 :else 1153 : echo "I prefer bananas myself." 1154 :endif 1155< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons 1156 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included, 1157 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm() 1158 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they 1159 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems 1160 the horizontal layout is always used. 1161 1162 *cscope_connection()* 1163cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]]) 1164 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no 1165 parameters are specified, then the function returns: 1166 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or 1167 if there are no cscope connections; 1168 1, if there is at least one cscope connection. 1169 1170 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num} 1171 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked: 1172 1173 {num} Description of existence check 1174 ----- ------------------------------ 1175 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()"). 1176 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for 1177 {dbpath}. 1178 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for 1179 {dbpath}. 1180 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both 1181 {dbpath} and {prepend}. 1182 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both 1183 {dbpath} and {prepend}. 1184 1185 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive! 1186 1187 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): > 1188 1189 # pid database name prepend path 1190 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local 1191< 1192 Invocation Return Val ~ 1193 ---------- ---------- > 1194 cscope_connection() 1 1195 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1 1196 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0 1197 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0 1198 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1 1199 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0 1200 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0 1201 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1 1202< 1203cursor({lnum}, {col}) *cursor()* 1204 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}. 1205 Does not change the jumplist. 1206 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer, 1207 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer. 1208 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line. 1209 If {col} is greater than the number of characters in the line, 1210 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the 1211 line. 1212 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column. 1213 1214 *delete()* 1215delete({fname}) Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number, 1216 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero 1217 when the deletion failed. 1218 1219 *did_filetype()* 1220did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the 1221 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used 1222 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts 1223 that detect the file type. |FileType| 1224 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this 1225 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the 1226 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts 1227 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax 1228 file. 1229 1230escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()* 1231 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a 1232 backslash. Example: > 1233 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \') 1234< results in: > 1235 c:\\program\ files\\vim 1236< 1237eventhandler() *eventhandler()* 1238 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got 1239 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character, 1240 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive 1241 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned. 1242 1243executable({expr}) *executable()* 1244 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr} 1245 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any 1246 arguments. 1247 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal 1248 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT* 1249 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can 1250 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are 1251 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be 1252 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is 1253 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using 1254 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a 1255 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an 1256 extension. 1257 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and 1258 is not a directory, not if it's really executable. 1259 The result is a Number: 1260 1 exists 1261 0 does not exist 1262 -1 not implemented on this system 1263 1264 *exists()* 1265exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is 1266 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string, 1267 which contains one of these: 1268 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists, 1269 not if it really works) 1270 +option-name Vim option that works. 1271 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be 1272 done by comparing with an empty 1273 string) 1274 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|) 1275 or user defined function (see 1276 |user-functions|). 1277 varname internal variable (see 1278 |internal-variables|). Does not work 1279 for |curly-braces-names|. 1280 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user 1281 command or command modifier |:command|. 1282 Returns: 1283 1 for match with start of a command 1284 2 full match with a command 1285 3 matches several user commands 1286 To check for a supported command 1287 always check the return value to be 2. 1288 #event autocommand defined for this event 1289 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and 1290 pattern (the pattern is taken 1291 literally and compared to the 1292 autocommand patterns character by 1293 character) 1294 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|. 1295 1296 Examples: > 1297 exists("&shortname") 1298 exists("$HOSTNAME") 1299 exists("*strftime") 1300 exists("*s:MyFunc") 1301 exists("bufcount") 1302 exists(":Make") 1303 exists("#CursorHold"); 1304 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz") 1305< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the 1306 name. 1307 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the 1308 variable itself! For example: > 1309 exists(bufcount) 1310< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable, 1311 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that 1312 exists. 1313 1314expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()* 1315 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}. 1316 The result is a String. 1317 1318 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL> 1319 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which 1320 caused problems when a file name contains a space] 1321 1322 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name 1323 for a non-existing file is not included. 1324 1325 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done 1326 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated 1327 modifiers. Here is a short overview: 1328 1329 % current file name 1330 # alternate file name 1331 #n alternate file name n 1332 <cfile> file name under the cursor 1333 <afile> autocmd file name 1334 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!) 1335 <amatch> autocmd matched name 1336 <sfile> sourced script file name 1337 <cword> word under the cursor 1338 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor 1339 <client> the {clientid} of the last received 1340 message |server2client()| 1341 Modifiers: 1342 :p expand to full path 1343 :h head (last path component removed) 1344 :t tail (last path component only) 1345 :r root (one extension removed) 1346 :e extension only 1347 1348 Example: > 1349 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags" 1350< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or 1351 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: > 1352 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak") 1353< Use this: > 1354 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak" 1355< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the 1356 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>" 1357 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the 1358 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: > 1359 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>")) 1360< 1361 There cannot be white space between the variables and the 1362 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used 1363 to modify normal file names. 1364 1365 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name 1366 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a 1367 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a 1368 '/' added. 1369 1370 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is 1371 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line. 1372 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional 1373 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for 1374 non-existing files are included. 1375 1376 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment 1377 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be 1378 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|. 1379 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file 1380 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is 1381 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in 1382 "$FOOBAR". 1383 1384 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for 1385 getting the raw output of an external command. 1386 1387filereadable({file}) *filereadable()* 1388 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the 1389 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist, 1390 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any 1391 expression, which is used as a String. 1392 *file_readable()* 1393 Obsolete name: file_readable(). 1394 1395filewritable({file}) *filewritable()* 1396 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the 1397 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't 1398 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a 1399 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2. 1400 1401fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()* 1402 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a 1403 string of characters like it is used for file names on the 1404 command line. See |filename-modifiers|. 1405 Example: > 1406 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h") 1407< results in: > 1408 /home/mool/vim/vim/src 1409< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use 1410 |expand()| first then. 1411 1412foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()* 1413 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed 1414 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold. 1415 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned. 1416 1417foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()* 1418 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed 1419 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold. 1420 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned. 1421 1422foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()* 1423 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum} 1424 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is 1425 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is 1426 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed. 1427 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is 1428 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the 1429 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the 1430 previous line is usually available. 1431 1432 *foldtext()* 1433foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is 1434 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should 1435 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the 1436 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables. 1437 The returned string looks like this: > 1438 +-- 45 lines: abcdef 1439< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is 1440 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the 1441 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//" 1442 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring' 1443 options is removed. 1444 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature} 1445 1446 *foreground()* 1447foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from 1448 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()| 1449 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always 1450 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use 1451 |remote_foreground()| instead. 1452 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the 1453 Win32 console version} 1454 1455getchar([expr]) *getchar()* 1456 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit 1457 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is 1458 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a 1459 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128). 1460 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available. 1461 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available. 1462 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is 1463 not consumed. If a normal character is 1464 available, it is returned, otherwise a 1465 non-zero value is returned. 1466 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number. 1467 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String. 1468 The returned value is zero if no character is available. 1469 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys 1470 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used. 1471 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the 1472 user that a character has to be typed. 1473 There is no mapping for the character. 1474 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del> 1475 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character 1476 sequence. Examples: > 1477 getchar() == "\<Del>" 1478 getchar() == "\<S-Left>" 1479< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: > 1480 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR> 1481 :function FindChar() 1482 : let c = nr2char(getchar()) 1483 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1 1484 : normal l 1485 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c 1486 : break 1487 : endif 1488 : endwhile 1489 :endfunction 1490 1491getcharmod() *getcharmod()* 1492 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for 1493 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way. 1494 These values are added together: 1495 2 shift 1496 4 control 1497 8 alt (meta) 1498 16 mouse double click 1499 32 mouse triple click 1500 64 mouse quadruple click 1501 128 Macintosh only: command 1502 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the 1503 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A" 1504 with no modifier. 1505 1506getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()* 1507 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable 1508 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:" 1509 must be used. 1510 This also works for a global or local window option, but it 1511 doesn't work for a global or local window variable. 1512 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above. 1513 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is 1514 returned, there is no error message. 1515 Examples: > 1516 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod") 1517 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar") 1518< 1519getcmdline() *getcmdline()* 1520 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command 1521 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or 1522 |c_CTRL-R_=|. 1523 Example: > 1524 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR> 1525< Also see |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|. 1526 1527getcmdpos({pos}) *getcmdpos()* 1528 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a 1529 byte count. The first column is 1. 1530 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of 1531 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise. 1532 Also see |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|. 1533 1534 *getcwd()* 1535getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current 1536 working directory. 1537 1538getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()* 1539 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the 1540 given file {fname}. 1541 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned. 1542 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned. 1543 1544getftime({fname}) *getftime()* 1545 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of 1546 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds 1547 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also 1548 |localtime()| and |strftime()|. 1549 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned. 1550 1551 *getline()* 1552getline({lnum}) The result is a String, which is line {lnum} from the current 1553 buffer. Example: > 1554 getline(1) 1555< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a 1556 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number. 1557 To get the line under the cursor: > 1558 getline(".") 1559< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of 1560 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned. 1561 1562getreg([{regname}]) *getreg()* 1563 The result is a String, which is the contents of register 1564 {regname}. Example: > 1565 :let cliptext = getreg('*') 1566< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression 1567 register. (For use in maps). 1568 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used. 1569 1570getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()* 1571 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}. 1572 The value will be one of: 1573 "v" for |characterwise| text 1574 "V" for |linewise| text 1575 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text 1576 0 for an empty or unknown register 1577 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16. 1578 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used. 1579 1580 *getwinposx()* 1581getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of 1582 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be 1583 -1 if the information is not available. 1584 1585 *getwinposy()* 1586getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of 1587 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the 1588 information is not available. 1589 1590getwinvar({nr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()* 1591 The result is the value of option or local window variable 1592 {varname} in window {nr}. 1593 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it 1594 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable. 1595 Note that the name without "w:" must be used. 1596 Examples: > 1597 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list') 1598 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar') 1599< 1600 *glob()* 1601glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String. 1602 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL> 1603 characters. 1604 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. 1605 A name for a non-existing file is not included. 1606 1607 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from 1608 any external command. Example: > 1609 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`") 1610 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g") 1611< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one 1612 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed. 1613 1614 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See 1615 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command. 1616 1617globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()* 1618 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate 1619 the results. Example: > 1620 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim") 1621< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each 1622 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with 1623 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed. 1624 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a 1625 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a 1626 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it. 1627 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no 1628 error message. 1629 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the 1630 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped. 1631 1632 *has()* 1633has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is 1634 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a 1635 string. See |feature-list| below. 1636 Also see |exists()|. 1637 1638hasmapto({what} [, {mode}]) *hasmapto()* 1639 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that 1640 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to) 1641 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by 1642 {mode}. 1643 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current 1644 buffer are checked for a match. 1645 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned. 1646 The following characters are recognized in {mode}: 1647 n Normal mode 1648 v Visual mode 1649 o Operator-pending mode 1650 i Insert mode 1651 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.) 1652 c Command-line mode 1653 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used. 1654 1655 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists 1656 to a function in a Vim script. Example: > 1657 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit') 1658 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit 1659 :endif 1660< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't 1661 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit". 1662 1663histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()* 1664 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be 1665 one of: *hist-names* 1666 "cmd" or ":" command line history 1667 "search" or "/" search pattern history 1668 "expr" or "=" typed expression history 1669 "input" or "@" input line history 1670 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be 1671 shifted to become the newest entry. 1672 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful, 1673 otherwise 0 is returned. 1674 1675 Example: > 1676 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d")) 1677 :let date=input("Enter date: ") 1678< This function is not available in the |sandbox|. 1679 1680histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()* 1681 Clear {history}, ie. delete all its entries. See |hist-names| 1682 for the possible values of {history}. 1683 1684 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen 1685 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression 1686 will be removed from the history (if there are any). 1687 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|. 1688 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see 1689 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed 1690 if it exists. 1691 1692 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation, 1693 otherwise 0 is returned. 1694 1695 Examples: 1696 Clear expression register history: > 1697 :call histdel("expr") 1698< 1699 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: > 1700 :call histdel("/", '^\*') 1701< 1702 The following three are equivalent: > 1703 :call histdel("search", histnr("search")) 1704 :call histdel("search", -1) 1705 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$') 1706< 1707 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for 1708 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': > 1709 :call histdel("search", -1) 1710 :let @/ = histget("search", -1) 1711 1712histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()* 1713 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from 1714 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of 1715 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is 1716 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is 1717 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used. 1718 1719 Examples: 1720 Redo the second last search from history. > 1721 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2) 1722 1723< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of 1724 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. > 1725 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>) 1726< 1727histnr({history}) *histnr()* 1728 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}. 1729 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}. 1730 If an error occurred, -1 is returned. 1731 1732 Example: > 1733 :let inp_index = histnr("expr") 1734< 1735hlexists({name}) *hlexists()* 1736 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group 1737 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been 1738 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has 1739 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax 1740 item. 1741 *highlight_exists()* 1742 Obsolete name: highlight_exists(). 1743 1744 *hlID()* 1745hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group 1746 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist, 1747 zero is returned. 1748 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight 1749 group. For example, to get the background color of the 1750 "Comment" group: > 1751 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg") 1752< *highlightID()* 1753 Obsolete name: highlightID(). 1754 1755hostname() *hostname()* 1756 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on 1757 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than 1758 256 characters long are truncated. 1759 1760iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()* 1761 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted 1762 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}. 1763 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned. 1764 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function 1765 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv". 1766 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv| 1767 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back 1768 can be done. 1769 This can be used to display messages with special characters, 1770 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in 1771 UTF-8 and use: > 1772 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc) 1773< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion 1774 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You 1775 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes. 1776 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature} 1777 1778 *indent()* 1779indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the 1780 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value 1781 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in 1782 |getline()|. 1783 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned. 1784 1785input({prompt} [, {text}]) *input()* 1786 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on 1787 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or 1788 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the 1789 prompt to start a new line. The highlighting set with 1790 |:echohl| is used for the prompt. The input is entered just 1791 like a command-line, with the same editing commands and 1792 mappings. There is a separate history for lines typed for 1793 input(). 1794 If the optional {text} is present, this is used for the 1795 default reply, as if the user typed this. 1796 NOTE: This must not be used in a startup file, for the 1797 versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI). 1798 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will 1799 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a 1800 mapping is handled like the characters were typed. 1801 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()| 1802 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid 1803 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using 1804 |:execute| or |:normal|. 1805 1806 Example: > 1807 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer" 1808 : echo "Cheers!" 1809 :endif 1810< Example with default text: > 1811 :let color = input("Color? ", "white") 1812< Example with a mapping: > 1813 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR> 1814 :function GetFoo() 1815 : call inputsave() 1816 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ") 1817 : call inputrestore() 1818 :endfunction 1819 1820inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()* 1821 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are 1822 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text. 1823 Example: > 1824 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw) 1825 :if n != "" 1826 : let &sw = n 1827 :endif 1828< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When 1829 omitted an empty string is returned. 1830 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting 1831 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button. 1832 1833inputrestore() *inputrestore()* 1834 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave(). 1835 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is 1836 called. Calling it more often is harmless though. 1837 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise. 1838 1839inputsave() *inputsave()* 1840 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that 1841 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be 1842 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can 1843 be used several times, in which case there must be just as 1844 many inputrestore() calls. 1845 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise. 1846 1847inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()* 1848 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but 1849 two exceptions: 1850 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of 1851 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and 1852 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input 1853 |history| stack. 1854 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually 1855 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt. 1856 1857isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()* 1858 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory 1859 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't 1860 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory} 1861 is any expression, which is used as a String. 1862 1863 *libcall()* *E364* *E368* 1864libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument}) 1865 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname} 1866 with single argument {argument}. 1867 This is useful to call functions in a library that you 1868 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument 1869 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather 1870 limited. 1871 The result is the String returned by the function. If the 1872 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string "" 1873 to Vim. 1874 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()! 1875 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an 1876 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a 1877 null-terminated string. 1878 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|. 1879 1880 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to 1881 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a 1882 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will 1883 very probably crash. 1884 1885 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL 1886 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is 1887 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly 1888 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer, 1889 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character 1890 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid 1891 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the 1892 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will 1893 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work, 1894 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded. 1895 1896 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may 1897 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number, 1898 because Vim thinks it's a pointer. 1899 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL 1900 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if 1901 the DLL is not in the usual places. 1902 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the 1903 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC'). 1904 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall| 1905 feature is present} 1906 Examples: > 1907 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME") 1908 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "") 1909< 1910 *libcallnr()* 1911libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument}) 1912 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an 1913 int instead of a string. 1914 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall| 1915 feature is present} 1916 Example (not very useful...): > 1917 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n") 1918 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10) 1919< 1920 *line()* 1921line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file 1922 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are: 1923 . the cursor position 1924 $ the last line in the current buffer 1925 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is 1926 returned) 1927 Note that only marks in the current file can be used. 1928 Examples: > 1929 line(".") line number of the cursor 1930 line("'t") line number of mark t 1931 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker 1932< *last-position-jump* 1933 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file 1934 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: > 1935 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif 1936 1937line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()* 1938 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line 1939 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on 1940 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first 1941 line returns 1. 1942 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just 1943 below the last line: > 1944 line2byte(line("$") + 1) 1945< This is the file size plus one. 1946 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been 1947 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned. 1948 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|. 1949 1950lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()* 1951 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp 1952 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'. 1953 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is 1954 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|. 1955 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the 1956 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned. 1957 1958localtime() *localtime()* 1959 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan 1960 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|. 1961 1962maparg({name}[, {mode}]) *maparg()* 1963 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there 1964 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned. 1965 These characters can be used for {mode}: 1966 "n" Normal 1967 "v" Visual 1968 "o" Operator-pending 1969 "i" Insert 1970 "c" Cmd-line 1971 "l" langmap |language-mapping| 1972 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending 1973 When {mode} is omitted, the modes from "" are used. 1974 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map" 1975 command. The returned String has special characters 1976 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing. 1977 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first, 1978 then the global mappings. 1979 1980mapcheck({name}[, {mode}]) *mapcheck()* 1981 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode 1982 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in 1983 {name}. 1984 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and 1985 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}. 1986 1987 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~ 1988 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes 1989 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes 1990 mapcheck("ax") yes no no 1991 mapcheck("b") no no no 1992 1993 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a 1994 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a 1995 mapping for {name} exactly. 1996 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty 1997 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping 1998 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with 1999 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned. 2000 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first, 2001 then the global mappings. 2002 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added 2003 without being ambiguous. Example: > 2004 :if mapcheck("_vv") == "" 2005 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR> 2006 :endif 2007< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a 2008 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv". 2009 2010match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}]) *match()* 2011 The result is a Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in 2012 {expr} where {pat} matches. A match at the first character 2013 returns zero. If there is no match -1 is returned. Example: > 2014 :echo match("testing", "ing") 2015< results in "4". 2016 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used. 2017 If {start} is given, the search starts from index {start}. 2018 The result, however, is still the index counted from the 2019 first character. Example: > 2020 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2) 2021< result is again "4". > 2022 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4) 2023< result is again "4". > 2024 :echo match("testing", "t", 2) 2025< result is "3". 2026 If {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. 2027 If {start} > strlen({expr}) -1 is returned. 2028 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted. 2029 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of 2030 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always 2031 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty. 2032 2033matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}]) *matchend()* 2034 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after 2035 the match. Example: > 2036 :echo matchend("testing", "ing") 2037< results in "7". 2038 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). > 2039 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2) 2040< results in "7". > 2041 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5) 2042< result is "-1". 2043 2044matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}]) *matchstr()* 2045 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: > 2046 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing") 2047< results in "ing". 2048 When there is no match "" is returned. 2049 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). > 2050 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2) 2051< results in "ing". > 2052 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5) 2053< result is "". 2054 2055 *mode()* 2056mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode: 2057 n Normal 2058 v Visual by character 2059 V Visual by line 2060 CTRL-V Visual blockwise 2061 s Select by character 2062 S Select by line 2063 CTRL-S Select blockwise 2064 i Insert 2065 R Replace 2066 c Command-line 2067 r Hit-enter prompt 2068 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other 2069 places it always returns "c" or "n". 2070 2071nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()* 2072 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum} 2073 that is not blank. Example: > 2074 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java" 2075< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or 2076 below it, zero is returned. 2077 See also |prevnonblank()|. 2078 2079nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()* 2080 Return a string with a single character, which has the number 2081 value {expr}. Examples: > 2082 nr2char(64) returns "@" 2083 nr2char(32) returns " " 2084< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": > 2085 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character 2086< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with 2087 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline 2088 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the 2089 string, thus isn't very useful. 2090 2091prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()* 2092 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum} 2093 that is not blank. Example: > 2094 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1)) 2095< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or 2096 above it, zero is returned. 2097 Also see |nextnonblank()|. 2098 2099 *remote_expr()* *E449* 2100remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}]) 2101 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an 2102 expression and the result is returned after evaluation. 2103 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a 2104 variable and a {serverid} for later use with 2105 remote_read() is stored there. 2106 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|. 2107 This function is not available in the |sandbox|. 2108 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature} 2109 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued 2110 and the result will be the empty string. 2111 Examples: > 2112 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2") 2113 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax") 2114< 2115 2116remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()* 2117 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground. 2118 This works like: > 2119 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()") 2120< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work 2121 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server 2122 to bring itself to the foreground. 2123 This function is not available in the |sandbox|. 2124 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the 2125 Win32 console version} 2126 2127 2128remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()* 2129 Returns a positive number if there are available strings 2130 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable 2131 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the 2132 name of a variable. 2133 Returns zero if none are available. 2134 Returns -1 if something is wrong. 2135 See also |clientserver|. 2136 This function is not available in the |sandbox|. 2137 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature} 2138 Examples: > 2139 :let repl = "" 2140 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl 2141 2142remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()* 2143 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume 2144 it. It blocks until a reply is available. 2145 See also |clientserver|. 2146 This function is not available in the |sandbox|. 2147 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature} 2148 Example: > 2149 :echo remote_read(id) 2150< 2151 *remote_send()* *E241* 2152remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}]) 2153 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as 2154 input keys and the function returns immediately. 2155 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a 2156 variable and a {serverid} for later use with 2157 remote_read() is stored there. 2158 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|. 2159 This function is not available in the |sandbox|. 2160 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature} 2161 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess 2162 up the display. 2163 Examples: > 2164 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid"). 2165 \ remote_read(serverid) 2166 2167 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply * 2168 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>")) 2169 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ". 2170 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>') 2171 2172 2173rename({from}, {to}) *rename()* 2174 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This 2175 should also work to move files across file systems. The 2176 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed 2177 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed. 2178 This function is not available in the |sandbox|. 2179 2180resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655* 2181 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file), 2182 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form. 2183 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path 2184 components of {filename} and return the simplified result. 2185 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is 2186 stopped after 100 iterations. 2187 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}. 2188 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|. 2189 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the 2190 current directory (provided the result is still a relative 2191 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator. 2192 2193search({pattern} [, {flags}]) *search()* 2194 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the 2195 cursor position. 2196 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags: 2197 'b' search backward instead of forward 2198 'w' wrap around the end of the file 2199 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file 2200 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies. 2201 2202 When a match has been found its line number is returned, and 2203 the cursor will be positioned at the match. If there is no 2204 match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error 2205 message is given. 2206 2207 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): > 2208 :let n = 1 2209 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist 2210 : exe "argument " . n 2211 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the 2212 : " first search to find match at start of file 2213 : normal G$ 2214 : let flags = "w" 2215 : while search("foo", flags) > 0 2216 : s/foo/bar/g 2217 : let flags = "W" 2218 : endwhile 2219 : update " write the file if modified 2220 : let n = n + 1 2221 :endwhile 2222< 2223 *searchpair()* 2224searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]]) 2225 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be 2226 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other 2227 if/endif pairs in between are ignored. 2228 The search starts at the cursor. If a match is found, the 2229 cursor is positioned at it and the line number is returned. 2230 If no match is found 0 or -1 is returned and the cursor 2231 doesn't move. No error message is given. 2232 2233 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They 2234 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When 2235 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either 2236 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A 2237 typical use is: > 2238 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>') 2239< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped. 2240 2241 {flags} are used like with |search()|. Additionally: 2242 'n' do Not move the cursor 2243 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the 2244 outer pair 2245 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with 2246 the match; will only be > 1 when 'r' is used. 2247 2248 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the 2249 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on 2250 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this 2251 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment 2252 or a string. 2253 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted. 2254 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted 2255 and -1 returned. 2256 2257 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the 2258 patterns are used like it's on. 2259 2260 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with 2261 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the 2262 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: > 2263 if 1 2264 if 2 2265 endif 2 2266 endif 1 2267< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and 2268 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on 2269 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be 2270 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and 2271 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to 2272 "endif 2". 2273 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character, 2274 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so 2275 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds 2276 the matching start. 2277 2278 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: > 2279 2280 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W', 2281 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""') 2282 2283< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is 2284 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid 2285 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only 2286 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command. 2287 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a 2288 match. 2289 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": > 2290 2291 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW') 2292 2293< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a 2294 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax 2295 highlighting recognized as strings: > 2296 2297 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW', 2298 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"') 2299< 2300server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()* 2301 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid} 2302 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>"). 2303 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature} 2304 Note: 2305 This id has to be stored before the next command can be 2306 received. Ie. before returning from the received command and 2307 before calling any commands that waits for input. 2308 See also |clientserver|. 2309 Example: > 2310 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO") 2311< 2312serverlist() *serverlist()* 2313 Return a list of available server names, one per line. 2314 When there are no servers or the information is not available 2315 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|. 2316 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature} 2317 Example: > 2318 :echo serverlist() 2319< 2320setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()* 2321 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to 2322 {val}. 2323 This also works for a global or local window option, but it 2324 doesn't work for a global or local window variable. 2325 For a local window option the global value is unchanged. 2326 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above. 2327 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used. 2328 Examples: > 2329 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1) 2330 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar") 2331< This function is not available in the |sandbox|. 2332 2333setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()* 2334 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position 2335 {pos}. The first position is 1. 2336 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position. 2337 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use 2338 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. The position is set after the 2339 command line is set to the expression. 2340 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the 2341 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results. 2342 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command 2343 line. 2344 2345setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()* 2346 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}. If this 2347 succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely because 2348 {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: > 2349 :call setline(5, strftime("%c")) 2350< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set. 2351 2352 *setreg()* 2353setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}]) 2354 Set the register {regname} to {value}. 2355 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case, 2356 then the value is appended. 2357 {options} can also contains a register type specification: 2358 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode 2359 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode 2360 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode 2361 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is 2362 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified 2363 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters 2364 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character). 2365 2366 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default 2367 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>. 2368 Setting the '=' register is not possible. 2369 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure. 2370 2371 Examples: > 2372 :call setreg(v:register, @*) 2373 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac') 2374 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5') 2375 2376< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a 2377 register. > 2378 :let var_a = getreg('a') 2379 :let var_amode = getregtype('a') 2380 .... 2381 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode) 2382 2383< You can also change the type of a register by appending 2384 nothing: > 2385 :call setreg('a', '', 'al') 2386 2387setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()* 2388 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to 2389 {val}. 2390 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it 2391 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable. 2392 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged. 2393 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used. 2394 Examples: > 2395 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0) 2396 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar") 2397< This function is not available in the |sandbox|. 2398 2399simplify({filename}) *simplify()* 2400 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing 2401 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on 2402 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in 2403 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be 2404 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is 2405 not removed either. 2406 Example: > 2407 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/" 2408< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is 2409 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also 2410 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same 2411 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic 2412 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|. 2413 2414strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()* 2415 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as 2416 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used, 2417 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted 2418 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable! 2419 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the 2420 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters. 2421 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|. 2422 The language can be changed with the |:language| command. 2423 Examples: > 2424 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997 2425 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25 2426 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55 2427 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55 2428 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c")) 2429 Show mod time of file.c. 2430< 2431stridx({haystack}, {needle}) *stridx()* 2432 The result is a Number, which gives the index in {haystack} of 2433 the first occurrence of the String {needle} in the String 2434 {haystack}. The search is done case-sensitive. For advanced 2435 searches use |match()|. 2436 If the {needle} does not occur in {haystack} it returns -1. 2437 See also |strridx()|. Examples: > 2438 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3 2439 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0 2440 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1 2441< 2442 *strlen()* 2443strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String 2444 {expr} in bytes. If you want to count the number of 2445 multi-byte characters use something like this: > 2446 2447 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g")) 2448 2449< Composing characters are not counted. 2450 2451strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()* 2452 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from 2453 byte {start}, with the length {len}. 2454 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in 2455 an error, the bytes are simply omitted. 2456 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the 2457 end of the {src}. > 2458 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de" 2459 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab" 2460 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg" 2461 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg" 2462< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For 2463 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: > 2464 strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3) 2465< 2466strridx({haystack}, {needle}) *strridx()* 2467 The result is a Number, which gives the index in {haystack} of 2468 the last occurrence of the String {needle} in the String 2469 {haystack}. The search is done case-sensitive. For advanced 2470 searches use |match()|. 2471 If the {needle} does not occur in {haystack} it returns -1. 2472 See also |stridx()|. Examples: > 2473 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3 2474< 2475strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()* 2476 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable 2477 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|. 2478 Like they are shown in a window. Example: > 2479 echo strtrans(@a) 2480< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of 2481 starting a new line. 2482 2483submatch({nr}) *submatch()* 2484 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns 2485 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0 2486 the whole matched text is returned. 2487 Example: > 2488 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/ 2489< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it. 2490 A line break is included as a newline character. 2491 2492substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()* 2493 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which 2494 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works 2495 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the 2496 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is 2497 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable). 2498 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used. 2499 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}. 2500 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning 2501 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with 2502 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'. 2503 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned 2504 unmodified. 2505 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are 2506 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "". 2507 Example: > 2508 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "") 2509< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. > 2510 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "") 2511< results in "TESTING". 2512 2513synID({line}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()* 2514 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position 2515 {line} and {col} in the current window. 2516 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and 2517 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text. 2518 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {line} is 1 for the first 2519 line. 2520 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the 2521 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know 2522 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent 2523 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which 2524 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens). 2525 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is 2526 obtained by going through the file in forward direction. 2527 2528 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): > 2529 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name") 2530< 2531synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()* 2532 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of 2533 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information 2534 about a syntax item. 2535 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes 2536 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is 2537 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are 2538 used (GUI, cterm or term). 2539 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups. 2540 {what} result 2541 "name" the name of the syntax item 2542 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set 2543 the color, cterm: color number as a string, 2544 term: empty string) 2545 "bg" background color (like "fg") 2546 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is 2547 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form 2548 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg" 2549 "bold" "1" if bold 2550 "italic" "1" if italic 2551 "reverse" "1" if reverse 2552 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse) 2553 "underline" "1" if underlined 2554 2555 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the 2556 cursor): > 2557 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg") 2558< 2559synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()* 2560 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of 2561 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to 2562 highlight the character. Highlight links given with 2563 ":highlight link" are followed. 2564 2565 *system()* 2566system({expr}) Get the output of the shell command {expr}. Note: newlines 2567 in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The characters in 2568 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause trouble. 2569 This is not to be used for interactive commands. 2570 The result is a String. Example: > 2571 2572 :let files = system("ls") 2573 2574< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output 2575 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and 2576 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems. 2577 The command executed is constructed using several options: 2578 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote' 2579 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name). 2580 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for 2581 concatenated commands. 2582 2583 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|. 2584 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|. 2585 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files. 2586 Use |:checktime| to force a check. 2587 2588tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name* 2589 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that 2590 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name 2591 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: > 2592 :let tmpfile = tempname() 2593 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile 2594< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only 2595 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems 2596 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file). 2597 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted. 2598 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash' 2599 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'. 2600 2601tolower({expr}) *tolower()* 2602 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase 2603 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to 2604 the string). 2605 2606toupper({expr}) *toupper()* 2607 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase 2608 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to 2609 the string). 2610 2611type({expr}) *type()* 2612 The result is a Number: 2613 0 if {expr} has the type Number 2614 1 if {expr} has the type String 2615 2616virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()* 2617 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file 2618 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position 2619 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen 2620 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the 2621 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of 2622 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts' 2623 set to 8, it returns 8. 2624 For the byte position use |col()|. 2625 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position 2626 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'| 2627 The accepted positions are: 2628 . the cursor position 2629 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the 2630 number of displayed characters in the cursor line 2631 plus one) 2632 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is 2633 returned) 2634 Note that only marks in the current file can be used. 2635 Examples: > 2636 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5 2637 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9 2638 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6 2639< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error. 2640 2641visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()* 2642 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode 2643 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual 2644 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a 2645 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or 2646 block-wise Visual mode respectively. 2647 Example: > 2648 :exe "normal " . visualmode() 2649< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful 2650 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the 2651 Visual mode that was used. 2652 2653 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number 2654 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared 2655 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also 2656 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared. 2657 2658 *winbufnr()* 2659winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer 2660 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of 2661 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window 2662 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned. 2663 Example: > 2664 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0)) 2665< 2666 *wincol()* 2667wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the 2668 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the 2669 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one. 2670 2671winheight({nr}) *winheight()* 2672 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}. 2673 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is 2674 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned. 2675 An existing window always has a height of zero or more. 2676 Examples: > 2677 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines." 2678< 2679 *winline()* 2680winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor 2681 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of 2682 the window. The first line is one. 2683 2684 *winnr()* 2685winnr() The result is a Number, which is the number of the current 2686 window. The top window has number 1. The number can be used 2687 with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w" |:wincmd|. 2688 2689 *winrestcmd()* 2690winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore 2691 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows 2692 are opened or closed and the current window is unchanged. 2693 Example: > 2694 :let cmd = winrestcmd() 2695 :call MessWithWindowSizes() 2696 :exe cmd 2697 2698winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()* 2699 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}. 2700 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is 2701 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned. 2702 An existing window always has a width of zero or more. 2703 Examples: > 2704 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns." 2705 :if winwidth(0) <= 50 2706 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|" 2707 :endif 2708< 2709 2710 *feature-list* 2711There are three types of features: 27121. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim 2713 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: > 2714 :if has("cindent") 27152. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met. 2716 Example: > 2717 :if has("gui_running") 2718< *has-patch* 27193. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim. 2720 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for 2721 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): > 2722 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148") 2723 2724all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled. 2725amiga Amiga version of Vim. 2726arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|. 2727arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga). 2728autocmd Compiled with autocommands support. 2729balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support. 2730beos BeOS version of Vim. 2731browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will 2732 work. 2733builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals. 2734byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline' 2735cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support. 2736clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|. 2737clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support. 2738cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support. 2739cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support. 2740cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support. 2741comments Compiled with |'comments'| support. 2742cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|. 2743cscope Compiled with |cscope| support. 2744compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible. 2745debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined. 2746dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support. 2747dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support. 2748diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support. 2749digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs. 2750dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|. 2751dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim. 2752dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim. 2753ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set. 2754emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags. 2755eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always 2756 true, of course! 2757ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|. 2758extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and 2759 |'hlsearch'| 2760farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|. 2761file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>| 2762find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches 2763 |+find_in_path|. 2764fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and 2765 Windows this is not present). 2766folding Compiled with |folding| support. 2767footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer| 2768fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system(). 2769gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang| 2770gui Compiled with GUI enabled. 2771gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI. 2772gui_beos Compiled with BeOS GUI. 2773gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version). 2774gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined). 2775gui_kde Compiled with KDE GUI |KVim| 2776gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI. 2777gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI. 2778gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI. 2779gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI. 2780gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1) 2781gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon. 2782hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul| 2783iconv Can use iconv() for conversion. 2784insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in 2785 Insert mode. 2786jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support. 2787keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support. 2788langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support. 2789libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support. 2790linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak' 2791 support. 2792lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting. 2793listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files| 2794 and the argument list |arglist|. 2795localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local| 2796mac Macintosh version of Vim. 2797macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X). 2798menu Compiled with support for |:menu|. 2799mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|. 2800modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers| 2801mouse Compiled with support mouse. 2802mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'. 2803mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse. 2804mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse) 2805mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse. 2806mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse. 2807mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse. 2808multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al. 2809multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method. 2810multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages. 2811netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|. 2812ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32. 2813os2 OS/2 version of Vim. 2814osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype| 2815path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags' 2816perl Compiled with Perl interface. 2817postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing. 2818printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support. 2819python Compiled with Python interface. 2820qnx QNX version of Vim. 2821quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support. 2822rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support. 2823ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|. 2824scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support. 2825showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support. 2826signs Compiled with |:sign| support. 2827smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support. 2828sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support. 2829statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat' 2830 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'. 2831sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|. 2832syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support. 2833syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the 2834 current buffer. 2835system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec(). 2836tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files 2837 |tag-binary-search|. 2838tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags 2839 |tag-old-static|. 2840tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags 2841 files |tag-any-white|. 2842tcl Compiled with Tcl interface. 2843terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap. 2844termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|. 2845textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|. 2846tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap 2847 or terminfo file. 2848title Compiled with window title support |'title'|. 2849toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|. 2850unix Unix version of Vim. 2851user_commands User-defined commands. 2852viminfo Compiled with viminfo support. 2853vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place. 2854vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|. 2855virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option. 2856visual Compiled with Visual mode. 2857visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands. 2858 |blockwise-operators|. 2859vms VMS version of Vim. 2860vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands. 2861wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option. 2862wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option. 2863windows Compiled with support for more than one window. 2864winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option. 2865win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1). 2866win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP). 2867win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit). 2868win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin) 2869win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME. 2870writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on. 2871xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|. 2872xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|. 2873xsmp Compiled with X session management support. 2874xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support. 2875xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard. 2876xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the 2877 xterm screen. 2878x11 Compiled with X11 support. 2879 2880 *string-match* 2881Matching a pattern in a String 2882 2883A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in 2884the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost 2885everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled 2886like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a 2887line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or 2888with ".". Example: > 2889 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx" 2890 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..") 2891 aa 2892 xx 2893 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x") 2894 a 2895 x 2896 2897Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and 2898"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a 2899"\n". 2900 2901============================================================================== 29025. Defining functions *user-functions* 2903 2904New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin 2905functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode 2906commands can be executed with the |:normal| command. 2907 2908The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with 2909builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts 2910avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with 2911the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()". 2912 2913It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. 2914 2915 *local-function* 2916A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function 2917can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands 2918and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the 2919function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used 2920instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script. 2921 2922 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123* 2923:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments. 2924 2925:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}. 2926 *E124* *E125* 2927:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] 2928 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name 2929 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and 2930 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above). 2931 *function-argument* *a:var* 2932 An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the 2933 function this can then be used as "a:name" ("a:" for 2934 argument). 2935 Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. 2936 Finally, an argument "..." can be specified, which 2937 means that more arguments may be following. In the 2938 function they can be used as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" 2939 is set to the number of extra arguments (which can be 2940 0). 2941 When not using "...", the number of arguments in a 2942 function call must be equal to the number of named 2943 arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments 2944 may be larger. 2945 It is also possible to define a function without any 2946 arguments. You must still supply the () then. 2947 The body of the function follows in the next lines, 2948 until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to 2949 define another function inside a function body. 2950 *E127* *E122* 2951 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is 2952 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used, 2953 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it 2954 is currently being executed, that is an error. 2955 *a:firstline* *a:lastline* 2956 When the [range] argument is added, the function is 2957 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is 2958 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range] 2959 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for 2960 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start 2961 of each line. See |function-range-example|. 2962 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will 2963 abort as soon as an error is detected. 2964 The last used search pattern and the redo command "." 2965 will not be changed by the function. 2966 2967 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193* 2968:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line 2969 by its own, without other commands. 2970 2971 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131* 2972:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}. 2973 2974 *:retu* *:return* *E133* 2975:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is 2976 evaluated and returned as the result of the function. 2977 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned. 2978 When a function ends without an explicit ":return", 2979 the number 0 is returned. 2980 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines, 2981 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return". 2982 2983 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the 2984 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands 2985 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry| 2986 are executed first. This process applies to all 2987 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function 2988 returns at the outermost ":endtry". 2989 2990 2991Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which 2992will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be 2993accessed with "g:". 2994 2995Example: > 2996 :function Table(title, ...) 2997 : echohl Title 2998 : echo a:title 2999 : echohl None 3000 : let idx = 1 3001 : while idx <= a:0 3002 : echo a:{idx} . ' ' 3003 : let idx = idx + 1 3004 : endwhile 3005 : return idx 3006 :endfunction 3007 3008This function can then be called with: > 3009 let lines = Table("Table", "line1", "line2") 3010 let lines = Table("Empty Table") 3011 3012To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: > 3013 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname) 3014 : if a:n2 == 0 3015 : return "fail" 3016 : endif 3017 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2 3018 : return "ok" 3019 :endfunction 3020 3021This function can then be called with: > 3022 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div") 3023 :if success == "ok" 3024 : echo div 3025 :endif 3026 3027An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works 3028with local variables in a calling function. Example: > 3029 :function Foo() 3030 : execute Bar() 3031 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col 3032 :endfunction 3033 3034 :function Bar() 3035 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".") 3036 :endfunction 3037 3038The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow 3039the caller to set the names. 3040 3041 *:cal* *:call* *E107* 3042:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments]) 3043 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments 3044 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be 3045 used. 3046 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the 3047 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is 3048 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the 3049 function. 3050 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it 3051 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range, 3052 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor 3053 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function 3054 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus 3055 this works: 3056 *function-range-example* > 3057 :function Mynumber(arg) 3058 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg 3059 :endfunction 3060 :1,5call Mynumber(getline(".")) 3061< 3062 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they 3063 can be used to do something different at the start or end of 3064 the range. 3065 3066 Example of a function that handles the range itself: > 3067 3068 :function Cont() range 3069 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ ' 3070 :endfunction 3071 :4,8call Cont() 3072< 3073 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front 3074 of all the lines in the range, except the first one. 3075 3076 *E132* 3077The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'| 3078option. 3079 3080 *autoload-functions* 3081When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them 3082only when they are used. Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a 3083pattern that matches the function(s) to be defined. Example: > 3084 3085 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim 3086 3087The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with 3088"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|. 3089 3090============================================================================== 30916. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names* 3092 3093Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable. 3094This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces 3095{} like this: > 3096 my_{adjective}_variable 3097 3098When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts 3099that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable 3100name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to 3101"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if 3102"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable". 3103 3104One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option 3105value. For example, the statement > 3106 echo my_{&background}_message 3107 3108would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending 3109on the current value of 'background'. 3110 3111You can use multiple brace pairs: > 3112 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message 3113..or even nest them: > 3114 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message 3115where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective". 3116 3117However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single 3118variable name. e.g. this is invalid: > 3119 :let foo='a + b' 3120 :echo c{foo}d 3121.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name. 3122 3123 *curly-braces-function-names* 3124You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way. 3125Example: > 3126 :let func_end='whizz' 3127 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter) 3128 3129This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)". 3130 3131============================================================================== 31327. Commands *expression-commands* 3133 3134:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18* 3135 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the 3136 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type 3137 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it 3138 is created. 3139 3140:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$* 3141 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of 3142 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String. 3143 3144:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@* 3145 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register 3146 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and 3147 must be the name of a writable register (see 3148 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed 3149 register, "@/" for the search pattern. 3150 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the 3151 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to 3152 characterwise. 3153 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: > 3154 :let @/ = "" 3155< This is different from searching for an empty string, 3156 that would match everywhere. 3157 3158:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star* 3159 Set option {option-name} to the result of the 3160 expression {expr1}. The value is always converted to 3161 the type of the option. 3162 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect 3163 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local 3164 value and the global value is changed. 3165 3166:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1} 3167 Like above, but only set the local value of an option 3168 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|. 3169 3170:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1} 3171 Like above, but only set the global value of an option 3172 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|. 3173 3174 *E106* 3175:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Several 3176 variable names may be given. 3177 3178:let List the values of all variables. 3179 3180 *:unlet* *:unl* *E108* 3181:unl[et][!] {var-name} ... 3182 Remove the internal variable {var-name}. Several 3183 variable names can be given, they are all removed. 3184 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing 3185 variables. 3186 3187:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580* 3188:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else" 3189 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero. 3190 3191 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in 3192 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two 3193 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a 3194 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note 3195 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else" 3196 part was not executed either. 3197 3198 You can use this to remain compatible with older 3199 versions: > 3200 :if version >= 500 3201 : version-5-specific-commands 3202 :endif 3203< The commands still need to be parsed to find the 3204 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a 3205 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as 3206 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can 3207 avoid problems: > 3208 :if version >= 600 3209 : execute "silent 1,$delete" 3210 :endif 3211< 3212 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work 3213 properly in between ":if" and ":endif". 3214 3215 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583* 3216:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else" 3217 or ":endif" if they previously were not being 3218 executed. 3219 3220 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584* 3221:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there 3222 is no extra ":endif". 3223 3224:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw* 3225 *E170* *E585* *E588* 3226:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile", 3227 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero. 3228 When an error is detected from a command inside the 3229 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile". 3230 3231 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work 3232 properly inside a ":while" loop. 3233 3234 *:continue* *:con* *E586* 3235:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while", jumps back to the 3236 ":while". If it is used after a |:try| inside the 3237 ":while" but before the matching |:finally| (if 3238 present), the commands following the ":finally" up to 3239 the matching |:endtry| are executed first. This 3240 process applies to all nested ":try"s inside the 3241 ":while". The outermost ":endtry" then jumps back to 3242 the ":while". 3243 3244 *:break* *:brea* *E587* 3245:brea[k] When used inside a ":while", skips to the command 3246 after the matching ":endwhile". If it is used after 3247 a |:try| inside the ":while" but before the matching 3248 |:finally| (if present), the commands following the 3249 ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry| are executed 3250 first. This process applies to all nested ":try"s 3251 inside the ":while". The outermost ":endtry" then 3252 jumps to the command after the ":endwhile". 3253 3254:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602* 3255:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between 3256 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being 3257 executed across ":source" commands, function calls, 3258 or autocommand invocations. 3259 3260 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is 3261 a |:finally| command following, execution continues 3262 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the 3263 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next 3264 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for 3265 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script 3266 processing is terminated. (Whether a function 3267 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.) 3268 Example: > 3269 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry 3270 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above 3271< 3272 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside 3273 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It 3274 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw| 3275 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script 3276 processing is not terminated. 3277 3278 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt 3279 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted 3280 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}", 3281 other errors are converted to a value of the form 3282 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name, 3283 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the 3284 error exception is not caught, always beginning with 3285 the error number. 3286 Examples: > 3287 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry 3288 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry 3289< 3290 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605* 3291:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch", 3292 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same 3293 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception 3294 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet 3295 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these 3296 commands are skipped. 3297 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught. 3298 Examples: > 3299 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C) 3300 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors 3301 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts 3302 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write 3303 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123 3304 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception 3305 :catch /.*/ " catch everything 3306 :catch " same as /.*/ 3307< 3308 Another character can be used instead of / around the 3309 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special 3310 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside 3311 {pattern}. 3312 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of 3313 an error message because it may vary in different 3314 locales. 3315 3316 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607* 3317:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry| 3318 are executed whenever the part between the matching 3319 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling 3320 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|, 3321 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or 3322 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|). 3323 3324 *:th* *:throw* *E608* 3325:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception. 3326 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the 3327 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped 3328 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached. 3329 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is 3330 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the 3331 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to 3332 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw" 3333 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry" 3334 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies 3335 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try" 3336 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing 3337 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found. 3338 If the exception is not caught, the command processing 3339 is terminated. 3340 Example: > 3341 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry 3342< 3343 3344 *:ec* *:echo* 3345:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The 3346 first {expr1} starts on a new line. 3347 Also see |:comment|. 3348 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the 3349 cursor to the first column. 3350 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command. 3351 Cannot be followed by a comment. 3352 Example: > 3353 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell 3354< A later redraw may make the message disappear again. 3355 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes 3356 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until 3357 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw| 3358 command. Example: > 3359 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window" 3360< 3361 *:echon* 3362:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see 3363 |:comment|. 3364 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command. 3365 Cannot be followed by a comment. 3366 Example: > 3367 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell 3368< 3369 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a 3370 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell 3371 command: > 3372 :!echo % --> filename 3373< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. > 3374 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename" 3375< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double 3376 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. > 3377 :echo % --> nothing 3378< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. > 3379 :echo "%" --> % 3380< This just echoes the '%' character. > 3381 :echo expand("%") --> filename 3382< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'. 3383 3384 *:echoh* *:echohl* 3385:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following 3386 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used 3387 for the |input()| prompt. Example: > 3388 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None 3389< Don't forget to set the group back to "None", 3390 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted. 3391 3392 *:echom* *:echomsg* 3393:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the 3394 message in the |message-history|. 3395 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the 3396 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are 3397 displayed, not interpreted. 3398 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command. 3399 Example: > 3400 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see." 3401< 3402 *:echoe* *:echoerr* 3403:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the 3404 message in the |message-history|. When used in a 3405 script or function the line number will be added. 3406 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the 3407 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional, 3408 the message is raised as an error exception instead 3409 (see |try-echoerr|). 3410 Example: > 3411 :echoerr "This script just failed!" 3412< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|. 3413 And to get a beep: > 3414 :exe "normal \<Esc>" 3415< 3416 *:exe* *:execute* 3417:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation 3418 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are 3419 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is 3420 used as the processed command, command line editing 3421 keys are not recognized. 3422 Cannot be followed by a comment. 3423 Examples: > 3424 :execute "buffer " nextbuf 3425 :execute "normal " count . "w" 3426< 3427 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands 3428 that don't accept a '|'. Example: > 3429 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend" 3430 3431< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type 3432 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal" 3433 command: > 3434 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>" 3435< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|. 3436 3437 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but 3438 you cannot start or end a "while" or "if" command. 3439 Thus this is illegal: > 3440 :execute 'while i > 5' 3441 :execute 'echo "test" | break' 3442< 3443 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command 3444 completely in the executed string: > 3445 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile' 3446< 3447 3448 *:comment* 3449 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by 3450 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the 3451 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a 3452 comment. Example: > 3453 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment 3454 3455============================================================================== 34568. Exception handling *exception-handling* 3457 3458The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section 3459explains how it can be used in a Vim script. 3460 3461Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see 3462|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an 3463exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|. 3464 3465 3466TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals* 3467 3468Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can 3469use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or 3470a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup). 3471 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching 3472|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start 3473a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may 3474be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause, 3475which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch 3476clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. > 3477 3478 :try 3479 : ... 3480 : ... TRY BLOCK 3481 : ... 3482 :catch /{pattern}/ 3483 : ... 3484 : ... CATCH CLAUSE 3485 : ... 3486 :catch /{pattern}/ 3487 : ... 3488 : ... CATCH CLAUSE 3489 : ... 3490 :finally 3491 : ... 3492 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE 3493 : ... 3494 :endtry 3495 3496The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the 3497appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions 3498from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions. 3499 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control 3500is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the 3501script continues with the line following the ":endtry". 3502 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining 3503lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the 3504patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause 3505after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not 3506executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or 3507":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause 3508(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution 3509continues in the following line as usual. 3510 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the 3511":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by 3512that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the 3513finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of 3514the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after 3515the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere, 3516see |try-nesting|. 3517 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the 3518remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is 3519not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same 3520try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however, 3521a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its 3522execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new 3523exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|. 3524 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is 3525thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally 3526clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the 3527catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands 3528following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally 3529clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|. 3530 3531The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for 3532a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the 3533try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed 3534from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or 3535sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or 3536":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the 3537":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown 3538from the finally clause. 3539 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete 3540try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally 3541clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break", 3542":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally 3543clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break", 3544":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause, 3545this pending exception or command is discarded. 3546 3547For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|. 3548 3549 3550NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting* 3551 3552Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try 3553conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally 3554clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not 3555catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one 3556of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is 3557checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the 3558try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but 3559otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for 3560nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer 3561one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing 3562the inner try conditional. 3563 3564When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their 3565finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates. 3566An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly 3567thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions 3568implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown 3569as usual. 3570 3571For examples see |throw-catch|. 3572 3573 3574EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine* 3575 3576Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set 3577'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your 3578script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or 3579finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in 3580a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode 3581(see |debug-scripts|). 3582 3583 3584THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch* 3585 3586You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command 3587and pass the value to be thrown as argument: > 3588 :throw 4711 3589 :throw "string" 3590< *throw-expression* 3591You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated 3592first, and the result is thrown: > 3593 :throw 4705 + strlen("string") 3594 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6) 3595 3596An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw" 3597command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned. 3598The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception. 3599 Example: > 3600 3601 :function! Foo(arg) 3602 : try 3603 : throw a:arg 3604 : catch /foo/ 3605 : endtry 3606 : return 1 3607 :endfunction 3608 : 3609 :function! Bar() 3610 : echo "in Bar" 3611 : return 4710 3612 :endfunction 3613 : 3614 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar() 3615 3616This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not 3617executed. > 3618 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar() 3619however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711. 3620 3621Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be 3622abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The 3623exception is then propagated to the caller of the command. 3624 Example: > 3625 3626 :if Foo("arrgh") 3627 : echo "then" 3628 :else 3629 : echo "else" 3630 :endif 3631 3632Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed. 3633 3634 *catch-order* 3635Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch| 3636commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch" 3637command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause 3638gets executed when a matching exception is caught. 3639 Example: > 3640 3641 :function! Foo(value) 3642 : try 3643 : throw a:value 3644 : catch /^\d\+$/ 3645 : echo "Number thrown" 3646 : catch /.*/ 3647 : echo "String thrown" 3648 : endtry 3649 :endfunction 3650 : 3651 :call Foo(0x1267) 3652 :call Foo('string') 3653 3654The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown". 3655An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are 3656specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more 3657specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: > 3658 3659 : catch /.*/ 3660 : echo "String thrown" 3661 : catch /^\d\+$/ 3662 : echo "Number thrown" 3663 3664The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is 3665never taken. 3666 3667 *throw-variables* 3668If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value 3669in the variable |v:exception|: > 3670 3671 : catch /^\d\+$/ 3672 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception 3673 3674You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in 3675|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the 3676exception most recently caught as long it is not finished. 3677 Example: > 3678 3679 :function! Caught() 3680 : if v:exception != "" 3681 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint 3682 : else 3683 : echo 'Nothing caught' 3684 : endif 3685 :endfunction 3686 : 3687 :function! Foo() 3688 : try 3689 : try 3690 : try 3691 : throw 4711 3692 : finally 3693 : call Caught() 3694 : endtry 3695 : catch /.*/ 3696 : call Caught() 3697 : throw "oops" 3698 : endtry 3699 : catch /.*/ 3700 : call Caught() 3701 : finally 3702 : call Caught() 3703 : endtry 3704 :endfunction 3705 : 3706 :call Foo() 3707 3708This displays > 3709 3710 Nothing caught 3711 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4 3712 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10 3713 Nothing caught 3714 3715A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line 3716number in the script or function where it has been used: > 3717 3718 :function! LineNumber() 3719 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "") 3720 :endfunction 3721 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry 3722< 3723 *try-nested* 3724An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by 3725a surrounding try conditional: > 3726 3727 :try 3728 : try 3729 : throw "foo" 3730 : catch /foobar/ 3731 : echo "foobar" 3732 : finally 3733 : echo "inner finally" 3734 : endtry 3735 :catch /foo/ 3736 : echo "foo" 3737 :endtry 3738 3739The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally 3740clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try 3741conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo". 3742 3743 *throw-from-catch* 3744You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the 3745catch clause: > 3746 3747 :function! Foo() 3748 : throw "foo" 3749 :endfunction 3750 : 3751 :function! Bar() 3752 : try 3753 : call Foo() 3754 : catch /foo/ 3755 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar" 3756 : throw "bar" 3757 : endtry 3758 :endfunction 3759 : 3760 :try 3761 : call Bar() 3762 :catch /.*/ 3763 : echo "Caught" v:exception 3764 :endtry 3765 3766This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar". 3767 3768 *rethrow* 3769There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw 3770"v:exception" instead: > 3771 3772 :function! Bar() 3773 : try 3774 : call Foo() 3775 : catch /.*/ 3776 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception 3777 : throw v:exception 3778 : endtry 3779 :endfunction 3780< *try-echoerr* 3781Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt 3782exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions. 3783Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception 3784denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing 3785the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: > 3786 3787 :try 3788 : try 3789 : asdf 3790 : catch /.*/ 3791 : echoerr v:exception 3792 : endtry 3793 :catch /.*/ 3794 : echo v:exception 3795 :endtry 3796 3797This code displays 3798 3799 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~ 3800 3801 3802CLEANUP CODE *try-finally* 3803 3804Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the 3805user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in 3806an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of 3807a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without 3808catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with 3809a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on 3810normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt. 3811(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted 3812to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally 3813clause has been executed.) 3814Example: > 3815 3816 :try 3817 : let s:saved_ts = &ts 3818 : set ts=17 3819 : 3820 : " Do the hard work here. 3821 : 3822 :finally 3823 : let &ts = s:saved_ts 3824 : unlet s:saved_ts 3825 :endtry 3826 3827This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script 3828changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of 3829that function or script part. 3830 3831 *break-finally* 3832Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by 3833a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish". 3834 Example: > 3835 3836 :let first = 1 3837 :while 1 3838 : try 3839 : if first 3840 : echo "first" 3841 : let first = 0 3842 : continue 3843 : else 3844 : throw "second" 3845 : endif 3846 : catch /.*/ 3847 : echo v:exception 3848 : break 3849 : finally 3850 : echo "cleanup" 3851 : endtry 3852 : echo "still in while" 3853 :endwhile 3854 :echo "end" 3855 3856This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". > 3857 3858 :function! Foo() 3859 : try 3860 : return 4711 3861 : finally 3862 : echo "cleanup\n" 3863 : endtry 3864 : echo "Foo still active" 3865 :endfunction 3866 : 3867 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo" 3868 3869This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an 3870extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the 3871return value.) 3872 3873 *except-from-finally* 3874Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in 3875a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the 3876cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error 3877exceptions might get raised from a finally clause. 3878 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from 3879working correctly: > 3880 3881 :try 3882 : try 3883 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt" 3884 : while 1 3885 : endwhile 3886 : finally 3887 : unlet novar 3888 : endtry 3889 :catch /novar/ 3890 :endtry 3891 :echo "Script still running" 3892 :sleep 1 3893 3894If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should 3895think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see 3896|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|. 3897 3898 3899CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors* 3900 3901If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be 3902watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The 3903presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an 3904exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find 3905the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of 3906the error exception is. 3907 Error exceptions have the following format: > 3908 3909 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg} 3910or > 3911 Vim:{errmsg} 3912 3913{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when 3914the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced 3915when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with 3916a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and 3917a space. 3918 3919Examples: 3920 3921The command > 3922 :unlet novar 3923normally produces the error message > 3924 E108: No such variable: "novar" 3925which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception > 3926 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar" 3927 3928The command > 3929 :dwim 3930normally produces the error message > 3931 E492: Not an editor command: dwim 3932which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception > 3933 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim 3934 3935You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a > 3936 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/ 3937or all errors for misspelled command names by a > 3938 :catch /^Vim:E492:/ 3939 3940Some error messages may be produced by different commands: > 3941 :function nofunc 3942and > 3943 :delfunction nofunc 3944both produce the error message > 3945 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc 3946which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception > 3947 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc 3948or > 3949 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc 3950respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the 3951command that caused it if you use the following pattern: > 3952 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/ 3953 3954Some commands like > 3955 :let x = novar 3956produce multiple error messages, here: > 3957 E121: Undefined variable: novar 3958 E15: Invalid expression: novar 3959Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific 3960one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by > 3961 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/ 3962 3963You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by > 3964 :catch /\<nofunc\>/ 3965 3966You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by > 3967 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/ 3968 3969You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern > 3970 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/ 3971< 3972 *catch-text* 3973NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: > 3974 :catch /No such variable/ 3975only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected 3976a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to 3977cite the message text in a comment: > 3978 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable 3979 3980 3981IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors* 3982 3983You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: > 3984 3985 :try 3986 : write 3987 :catch 3988 :endtry 3989 3990But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could 3991catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could 3992be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: > 3993 3994 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar 3995 3996There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script 3997writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would 3998then hide the error from the user. 3999 It is much better to use > 4000 4001 :try 4002 : write 4003 :catch /^Vim(write):/ 4004 :endtry 4005 4006which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore 4007intentionally. 4008 4009For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could 4010even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!" 4011command: > 4012 :silent! nunmap k 4013This works also when a try conditional is active. 4014 4015 4016CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt* 4017 4018When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to 4019the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The 4020script is not terminated, then. 4021 Example: > 4022 4023 :function! TASK1() 4024 : sleep 10 4025 :endfunction 4026 4027 :function! TASK2() 4028 : sleep 20 4029 :endfunction 4030 4031 :while 1 4032 : let command = input("Type a command: ") 4033 : try 4034 : if command == "" 4035 : continue 4036 : elseif command == "END" 4037 : break 4038 : elseif command == "TASK1" 4039 : call TASK1() 4040 : elseif command == "TASK2" 4041 : call TASK2() 4042 : else 4043 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command 4044 : continue 4045 : endif 4046 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ 4047 : echo "\nCommand interrupted" 4048 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt. 4049 : endtry 4050 :endwhile 4051 4052You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for 4053a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated. 4054 4055For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in 4056your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt| 4057command on that line. See |debug-scripts|. 4058 4059 4060CATCHING ALL *catch-all* 4061 4062The commands > 4063 4064 :catch /.*/ 4065 :catch // 4066 :catch 4067 4068catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions 4069explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of 4070a script in order to catch unexpected things. 4071 Example: > 4072 4073 :try 4074 : 4075 : " do the hard work here 4076 : 4077 :catch /MyException/ 4078 : 4079 : " handle known problem 4080 : 4081 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ 4082 : echo "Script interrupted" 4083 :catch /.*/ 4084 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")" 4085 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint 4086 :endtry 4087 :" end of script 4088 4089Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are 4090strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by 4091specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch". 4092 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script 4093by pressing CTRL-C: > 4094 4095 :while 1 4096 : try 4097 : sleep 1 4098 : catch 4099 : endtry 4100 :endwhile 4101 4102 4103EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd* 4104 4105Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: > 4106 4107 :autocmd User x try 4108 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!" 4109 :autocmd User x catch 4110 :autocmd User x echo v:exception 4111 :autocmd User x endtry 4112 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!" 4113 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed" 4114 : 4115 :try 4116 : doautocmd User x 4117 :catch 4118 : echo v:exception 4119 :endtry 4120 4121This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!". 4122 4123 *except-autocmd-Pre* 4124For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the 4125command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence 4126of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are 4127abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command. 4128 Example: > 4129 4130 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL" 4131 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed" 4132 : 4133 :try 4134 : write 4135 :catch 4136 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint 4137 :endtry 4138 4139Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as 4140you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre 4141autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the 4142script displays: > 4143 4144 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*" 4145< 4146 *except-autocmd-Post* 4147For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the 4148command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside 4149an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception 4150is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command. 4151 Example: > 4152 4153 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!" 4154 : 4155 :try 4156 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e 4157 :catch 4158 : echo v:exception 4159 :endtry 4160 4161This just displays: > 4162 4163 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e) 4164 4165If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action 4166fails, trigger the event from the catch clause. 4167 Example: > 4168 4169 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly 4170 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly 4171 : 4172 :try 4173 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e 4174 :catch 4175 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e 4176 :endtry 4177< 4178You can also use ":silent!": > 4179 4180 :let x = "ok" 4181 :let v:errmsg = "" 4182 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != "" 4183 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail" 4184 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif 4185 :try 4186 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e 4187 :catch 4188 :endtry 4189 :echo x 4190 4191This displays "after fail". 4192 4193If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the 4194autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: > 4195 4196 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-(" 4197 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed" 4198 : 4199 :try 4200 : write 4201 :catch 4202 : echo v:exception 4203 :endtry 4204< 4205 *except-autocmd-Cmd* 4206For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of 4207autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller 4208of the command. 4209 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file 4210had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in 4211some way. > 4212 4213 :if !exists("cnt") 4214 : let cnt = 0 4215 : 4216 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified 4217 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1 4218 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2 4219 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError" 4220 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif 4221 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified 4222 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0 4223 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError" 4224 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif 4225 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!" 4226 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif 4227 :endif 4228 : 4229 :try 4230 : write 4231 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/ 4232 : if &modified 4233 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)" 4234 : else 4235 : echo "Error after writing" 4236 : endif 4237 :catch /^Vim(write):/ 4238 : echo "Error on writing" 4239 :endtry 4240 4241When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays 4242first > 4243 File successfully written! 4244then > 4245 Error on writing (file contents not changed) 4246then > 4247 Error after writing 4248etc. 4249 4250 *except-autocmd-ill* 4251You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events. 4252The following code is ill-formed: > 4253 4254 :autocmd BufWritePre * try 4255 : 4256 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch 4257 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception 4258 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry 4259 : 4260 :write 4261 4262 4263EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param* 4264 4265Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to 4266pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do 4267similar things in Vim. 4268 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete 4269class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the 4270string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library. 4271 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add 4272it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)" 4273for an error when writing "myfile". 4274 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for 4275base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in 4276parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command. 4277 Example: > 4278 4279 :function! CheckRange(a, func) 4280 : if a:a < 0 4281 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")" 4282 : endif 4283 :endfunction 4284 : 4285 :function! Add(a, b) 4286 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add") 4287 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add") 4288 : let c = a:a + a:b 4289 : if c < 0 4290 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" 4291 : endif 4292 : return c 4293 :endfunction 4294 : 4295 :function! Div(a, b) 4296 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div") 4297 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div") 4298 : if (a:b == 0) 4299 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV" 4300 : endif 4301 : return a:a / a:b 4302 :endfunction 4303 : 4304 :function! Write(file) 4305 : try 4306 : execute "write" a:file 4307 : catch /^Vim(write):/ 4308 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR" 4309 : endtry 4310 :endfunction 4311 : 4312 :try 4313 : 4314 : " something with arithmetics and I/O 4315 : 4316 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/ 4317 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "") 4318 : echo "Range error in" function 4319 : 4320 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV 4321 : echo "Math error" 4322 : 4323 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/ 4324 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "") 4325 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "") 4326 : if file !~ '^/' 4327 : let file = dir . "/" . file 4328 : endif 4329 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"' 4330 : 4331 :catch /^EXCEPT/ 4332 : echo "Unspecified error" 4333 : 4334 :endtry 4335 4336The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use 4337a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself 4338exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim. 4339 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that 4340failed, if known. See |catch-errors|. 4341 4342 4343PECULIARITIES 4344 *except-compat* 4345The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the 4346exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses 4347and/or a catch clause. 4348 4349In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions 4350continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command 4351after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside 4352functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile" 4353or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions 4354(thus, requiring the immediate abortion). 4355 4356This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using 4357immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try 4358conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can 4359be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate 4360termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without 4361catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination 4362by specifying a finally clause.) 4363 4364When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation 4365behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of 4366scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier. 4367 4368However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling 4369commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try 4370conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing 4371script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the 4372error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error 4373messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing 4374|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is 4375not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause 4376where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce 4377error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new 4378scripts. 4379 4380 *except-syntax-err* 4381Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of 4382the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally 4383clauses, however, is executed. 4384 Example: > 4385 4386 :try 4387 : try 4388 : throw 4711 4389 : catch /\(/ 4390 : echo "in catch with syntax error" 4391 : catch 4392 : echo "inner catch-all" 4393 : finally 4394 : echo "inner finally" 4395 : endtry 4396 :catch 4397 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"' 4398 : finally 4399 : echo "outer finally" 4400 :endtry 4401 4402This displays: > 4403 inner finally 4404 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \(" 4405 outer finally 4406The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead. 4407 4408 *except-single-line* 4409The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on 4410a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the 4411"catch" line, thus you better avoid this. 4412 Example: > 4413 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry 4414raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!" 4415argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the 4416error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets 4417displayed. 4418 4419 *except-several-errors* 4420When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is 4421usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception. 4422 Example: > 4423 echo novar 4424causes > 4425 E121: Undefined variable: novar 4426 E15: Invalid expression: novar 4427The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: > 4428 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar 4429< *except-syntax-error* 4430But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command, 4431the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown. 4432 Example: > 4433 unlet novar # 4434causes > 4435 E108: No such variable: "novar" 4436 E488: Trailing characters 4437The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: > 4438 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters 4439This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way 4440not intended by the user. Example: > 4441 try 4442 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry 4443 catch /.*/ 4444 echo "outer catch:" v:exception 4445 endtry 4446This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then 4447a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|. 4448 4449============================================================================== 44509. Examples *eval-examples* 4451 4452Printing in Hex ~ 4453> 4454 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number. 4455 :func Nr2Hex(nr) 4456 : let n = a:nr 4457 : let r = "" 4458 : while n 4459 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r 4460 : let n = n / 16 4461 : endwhile 4462 : return r 4463 :endfunc 4464 4465 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two 4466 :" character Hex string. 4467 :func String2Hex(str) 4468 : let out = '' 4469 : let ix = 0 4470 : while ix < strlen(a:str) 4471 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix])) 4472 : let ix = ix + 1 4473 : endwhile 4474 : return out 4475 :endfunc 4476 4477Example of its use: > 4478 :echo Nr2Hex(32) 4479result: "20" > 4480 :echo String2Hex("32") 4481result: "3332" 4482 4483 4484Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~ 4485 4486Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type 4487":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any 4488platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison 4489function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it 4490with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc. 4491> 4492 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings. 4493 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2) 4494 : if (a:str1 < a:str2) 4495 : return -1 4496 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2) 4497 : return 1 4498 : else 4499 : return 0 4500 : endif 4501 :endfunction 4502 4503 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively. 4504 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp) 4505 : if (a:start >= a:end) 4506 : return 4507 : endif 4508 : let partition = a:start - 1 4509 : let middle = partition 4510 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2) 4511 : let i = a:start 4512 : while (i <= a:end) 4513 : let str = getline(i) 4514 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)" 4515 : if (result <= 0) 4516 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition. 4517 : let partition = partition + 1 4518 : if (result == 0) 4519 : let middle = partition 4520 : endif 4521 : if (i != partition) 4522 : let str2 = getline(partition) 4523 : call setline(i, str2) 4524 : call setline(partition, str) 4525 : endif 4526 : endif 4527 : let i = i + 1 4528 : endwhile 4529 4530 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning 4531 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at 4532 : " the end of the partition. 4533 : if (middle != partition) 4534 : let str = getline(middle) 4535 : let str2 = getline(partition) 4536 : call setline(middle, str2) 4537 : call setline(partition, str) 4538 : endif 4539 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp) 4540 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp) 4541 :endfunc 4542 4543 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a 4544 :" function that will compare two lines. 4545 :func! Sort(cmp) range 4546 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp) 4547 :endfunc 4548 4549 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them. 4550 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp") 4551< 4552 *sscanf* 4553There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a 4554line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows 4555how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like 4556"foobar.txt, 123, 45". > 4557 :" Set up the match bit 4558 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)' 4559 :"get the part matching the whole expression 4560 :let l = matchstr(line, mx) 4561 :"get each item out of the match 4562 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '') 4563 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '') 4564 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '') 4565 4566The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file", 4567"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes) 4568 4569============================================================================== 457010. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature* 4571 4572When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression 4573evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts 4574to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still 4575recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if" 4576and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but 4577only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not 4578recognized. 4579 4580Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is 4581missing: > 4582 4583 :if 1 4584 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in" 4585 :else 4586 : echo "You will _never_ see this message" 4587 :endif 4588 4589============================================================================== 459011. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48* 4591 4592The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext' 4593options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from 4594these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when 4595these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from 4596a tags file is executed. 4597This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks. 4598 4599These items are not allowed in the sandbox: 4600 - changing the buffer text 4601 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands 4602 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|) 4603 - executing a shell command 4604 - reading or writing a file 4605 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file 4606 4607 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: 4608