xref: /vim-8.2.3635/runtime/doc/eval.txt (revision 843ee41e)
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