eval.txt For Vim version 8.2. Last change: 2021 Jul 28
VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
Expression evaluation expression expr E15 eval
Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual usr_41.txt.
Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
done, the features in this document are not available. See +eval and
no-eval-feature.
This file is about the backwards compatible Vim script. For Vim9 script,
which executes much faster, supports type checking and much more, see
vim9.txt.
1. Variables variables
1.1 Variable types
1.2 Function references Funcref
1.3 Lists Lists
1.4 Dictionaries Dictionaries
1.5 Blobs Blobs
1.6 More about variables more-variables
2. Expression syntax expression-syntax
3. Internal variable internal-variables
4. Builtin Functions functions
5. Defining functions user-functions
6. Curly braces names curly-braces-names
7. Commands expression-commands
8. Exception handling exception-handling
9. Examples eval-examples
10. Vim script version vimscript-version
11. No +eval feature no-eval-feature
12. The sandbox eval-sandbox
13. Textlock textlock
Testing support is documented in testing.txt.
Profiling is documented at profiling.
==============================================================================
1. Variables variables
1.1 Variable types
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There are ten types of variables:
Number Integer
Number A 32 or 64 bit signed number. expr-number
The number of bits is available in v:numbersize.
Examples: -123 0x10 0177 0o177 0b1011
Float A floating point number. floating-point-format Float
{only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Examples: 123.456 1.15e-6 -1.1e3
E928
String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
expr-string Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
List An ordered sequence of items, see List for details.
Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
value. Dictionary
Examples:
{'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
#{blue: "#0000ff", red: "#ff0000"}
Funcref A reference to a function Funcref.
Example: function("strlen")
It can be bound to a dictionary and arguments, it then works
like a Partial.
Example: function("Callback", [arg], myDict)
Special v:false, v:true, v:none and v:null. Special
Job Used for a job, see job_start(). Job Jobs
Channel Used for a channel, see ch_open(). Channel Channels
Blob Binary Large Object. Stores any sequence of bytes. See Blob
for details
Example: 0zFF00ED015DAF
0z is an empty Blob.
The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
are used.
Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
the Number. Examples:
Number 123 --> String "123"
Number 0 --> String "0"
Number -1 --> String "-1"
octal
Conversion from a String to a Number only happens in legacy Vim script, not in
Vim9 script. It is done by converting the first digits to a number.
Hexadecimal "0xf9", Octal "017" or "0o17", and Binary "0b10"
numbers are recognized
NOTE: when using scriptversion-4 octal with a leading "0" is not recognized.
The 0o notation requires patch 8.2.0886.
If the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero.
Examples:
String "456" --> Number 456
String "6bar" --> Number 6
String "foo" --> Number 0
String "0xf1" --> Number 241
String "0100" --> Number 64
String "0o100" --> Number 64
String "0b101" --> Number 5
String "-8" --> Number -8
String "+8" --> Number 0
To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it:
:echo "0100" + 0
64
To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different
base, use str2nr().
TRUE FALSE Boolean
For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
You can also use v:false and v:true. In Vim9 script false and true.
When TRUE is returned from a function it is the Number one, FALSE is the
number zero.
Note that in the command:
:if "foo"
:" NOT executed
"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. If the string starts with a
non-zero number it means TRUE:
:if "8foo"
:" executed
To test for a non-empty string, use empty():
:if !empty("foo")
falsy truthy
An expression can be used as a condition, ignoring the type and only using
whether the value is "sort of true" or "sort of false". Falsy is:
the number zero
empty string, blob, list or dictionary
Other values are truthy. Examples:
0 falsy
1 truthy
-1 truthy
0.0 falsy
0.1 truthy
'' falsy
'x' truthy
[] falsy
[0] truthy
{} falsy
#{x: 1} truthy
0z falsy
0z00 truthy
non-zero-arg
Function arguments often behave slightly different from TRUE: If the
argument is present and it evaluates to a non-zero Number, v:true or a
non-empty String, then the value is considered to be TRUE.
Note that " " and "0" are also non-empty strings, thus considered to be TRUE.
A List, Dictionary or Float is not a Number or String, thus evaluate to FALSE.
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List, Dictionary, Funcref, Job, Channel and Blob types are not
automatically converted.
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When mixing Number and Float the Number is converted to Float. Otherwise
there is no automatic conversion of Float. You can use str2float() for String
to Float, printf() for Float to String and float2nr() for Float to Number.
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When expecting a Float a Number can also be used, but nothing else.
no-type-checking
You will not get an error if you try to change the type of a variable.
1.2 Function references
Funcref E695 E718
A Funcref variable is obtained with the function() function, the funcref()
function or created with the lambda expression expr-lambda. It can be used
in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example:
:let Fn = function("MyFunc")
:echo Fn()
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A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:", "t:" or "b:". You
can use "g:" but the following name must still start with a capital. You
cannot have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
Dictionary entry. Example:
:function dict.init() dict
: let self.val = 0
:endfunction
The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
function name is not used here. Also see numbered-function.
A Funcref can also be used with the :call command:
:call Fn()
:call dict.init()
The name of the referenced function can be obtained with string().
:let func = string(Fn)
You can use call() to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
arguments:
:let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Partial
A Funcref optionally binds a Dictionary and/or arguments. This is also called
a Partial. This is created by passing the Dictionary and/or arguments to
function() or funcref(). When calling the function the Dictionary and/or
arguments will be passed to the function. Example:
let Cb = function('Callback', ['foo'], myDict)
call Cb('bar')
This will invoke the function as if using:
call myDict.Callback('foo', 'bar')
This is very useful when passing a function around, e.g. in the arguments of
ch_open().
Note that binding a function to a Dictionary also happens when the function is
a member of the Dictionary:
let myDict.myFunction = MyFunction
call myDict.myFunction()
Here MyFunction() will get myDict passed as "self". This happens when the
"myFunction" member is accessed. When making assigning "myFunction" to
otherDict and calling it, it will be bound to otherDict:
let otherDict.myFunction = myDict.myFunction
call otherDict.myFunction()
Now "self" will be "otherDict". But when the dictionary was bound explicitly
this won't happen:
let myDict.myFunction = function(MyFunction, myDict)
let otherDict.myFunction = myDict.myFunction
call otherDict.myFunction()
Here "self" will be "myDict", because it was bound explicitly.
1.3 Lists
list List Lists E686
A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
position in the sequence.
List creation
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A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Examples:
:let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
:let emptylist = []
An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
List of Lists:
:let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
List index
list-index E684
An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero.
:let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
:let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated:
:let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc.
:let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
To avoid an error for an invalid index use the get() function. When an item
is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify:
:echo get(mylist, idx)
:echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
List concatenation
list-concatenation
Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator:
:let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
:let mylist += [7, 8]
To prepend or append an item, turn the item into a list by putting [] around
it. To change a list in-place, refer to list-modification below.
Sublist
sublist
A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
separated by a colon in square brackets:
:let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
similar to -1.
:let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
:let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
:let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Notice that the last index is inclusive. If you prefer using an exclusive
index use the slice() method.
If the first index is beyond the last item of the List or the second item is
before the first item, the result is an empty list. There is no error
message.
If the second index is equal to or greater than the length of the list the
length minus one is used:
:let mylist = [0, 1, 2, 3]
:echo mylist[2:8] " result: [2, 3]
NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
mylist[s : e].
List identity
list-identity
When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
change "bb":
:let aa = [1, 2, 3]
:let bb = aa
:call add(aa, 4)
:echo bb
[1, 2, 3, 4]
Making a copy of a list is done with the copy() function. Using [:] also
works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list:
:let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
:let bb = copy(aa)
:call add(aa, 4)
:let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
:echo aa
[[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4]
:echo bb
[[1, aaa], 2, 3]
To make a completely independent list use deepcopy(). This also makes a
copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
the same value.
:let alist = [1, 2, 3]
:let blist = [1, 2, 3]
:echo alist is blist
0
:echo alist == blist
1
Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
variables. Example:
echo 4 == "4"
1
echo [4] == ["4"]
0
Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a list:
:let a = 5
:let b = "5"
:echo a == b
1
:echo [a] == [b]
0
List unpack
To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
square brackets, like list items:
:let [var1, var2] = mylist
When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
and a variable name:
:let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
This works like:
:let var1 = mylist[0]
:let var2 = mylist[1]
:let rest = mylist[2:]
Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
empty list then.
List modification
list-modification
To change a specific item of a list use :let this way:
:let list[4] = "four"
:let listlist[0][3] = item
To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range:
:let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
examples:
:call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
:call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
:call add(list, "new") " append String item
:call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
:call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
:let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
:unlet list[3] " idem
:let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
:unlet list[3 : ] " idem
:call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Changing the order of items in a list:
:call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
:call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
:call uniq(sort(list)) " sort and remove duplicates
For loop
The :for loop executes commands for each item in a List, String or Blob.
A variable is set to each item in sequence. Example with a List:
:for item in mylist
: call Doit(item)
:endfor
This works like:
:let index = 0
:while index < len(mylist)
: let item = mylist[index]
: :call Doit(item)
: let index = index + 1
:endwhile
If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the map()
function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Just like the :let command, :for also accepts a list of variables. This
requires the argument to be a List of Lists.
:for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
: call Doit(lnum, col)
:endfor
This works like a :let command is done for each list item. Again, the types
must remain the same to avoid an error.
It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable:
:for [i, j; rest] in listlist
: call Doit(i, j)
: if !empty(rest)
: echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
: endif
:endfor
For a Blob one byte at a time is used.
For a String one character, including any composing characters, is used as a
String. Example:
for c in text
echo 'This character is ' .. c
endfor
List functions
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Functions that are useful with a List:
:let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
:if empty(list) " check if list is empty
:let l = len(list) " number of items in list
:let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
:let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
:let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
:let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
:let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
:call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
:let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
:let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
:let s = string(list) " String representation of list
:call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
example, to add up all the numbers in a list:
:exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
1.4 Dictionaries
dict Dict Dictionaries Dictionary
A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
ordering.
Dictionary creation
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A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
only appear once. Examples:
:let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
:let emptydict = {}
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A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
Number will be converted to the String '4'. The empty string can also be used
as a key.
literal-Dict #{}
To avoid having to put quotes around every key the #{} form can be used. This
does require the key to consist only of ASCII letters, digits, '-' and '_'.
Example:
:let mydict = #{zero: 0, one_key: 1, two-key: 2, 333: 3}
Note that 333 here is the string "333". Empty keys are not possible with #{}.
A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
nested Dictionary:
:let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
Accessing entries
The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets:
:let val = mydict["one"]
:let mydict["four"] = 4
You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
form can be used expr-entry:
:let val = mydict.one
:let mydict.four = 4
Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
key lookup can be repeated:
:echo dict.key[idx].key
Dictionary to List conversion
You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to :for.
Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the keys() function:
:for key in keys(mydict)
: echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
:endfor
The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first:
:for key in sort(keys(mydict))
To loop over the values use the values() function:
:for v in values(mydict)
: echo "value: " . v
:endfor
If you want both the key and the value use the items() function. It returns
a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value:
:for [key, value] in items(mydict)
: echo key . ': ' . value
:endfor
Dictionary identity
dict-identity
Just like Lists you need to use copy() and deepcopy() to make a copy of a
Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
Dictionary:
:let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
:let adict = onedict
:let adict['a'] = 11
:echo onedict['a']
11
Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
more info see list-identity.
Dictionary modification
dict-modification
To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
use :let this way:
:let dict[4] = "four"
:let dict['one'] = item
Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with remove() or :unlet.
Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict:
:let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
:unlet dict.aaa
:unlet dict['aaa']
Merging a Dictionary with another is done with extend():
:call extend(adict, bdict)
This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
adict.
Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with filter():
:call filter(dict, 'v:val =~ "x"')
This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
This can also be used to remove all entries:
call filter(dict, 0)
Dictionary function
Dictionary-function self E725 E862
When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
special way with a dictionary. Example:
:function Mylen() dict
: return len(self.data)
:endfunction
:let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
:echo mydict.len()
This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
Dictionary is a Funcref. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
the function was invoked from.
It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
numbered-function anonymous-function
To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
assigned to a Dictionary in this way:
:let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
:function mydict.len()
: return len(self.data)
:endfunction
:echo mydict.len()
The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a Funcref
that references this function. The function can only be used through a
Funcref. It will automatically be deleted when there is no Funcref
remaining that refers to it.
It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
If you get an error for a numbered function, you can find out what it is with
a trick. Assuming the function is 42, the command is:
:function {42}
Functions for Dictionaries
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Functions that can be used with a Dictionary:
:if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
:if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
:let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
:let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
:let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
:let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
:let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
:call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
1.5 Blobs
blob Blob Blobs E978
A Blob is a binary object. It can be used to read an image from a file and
send it over a channel, for example.
A Blob mostly behaves like a List of numbers, where each number has the
value of an 8-bit byte, from 0 to 255.
Blob creation
A Blob can be created with a blob-literal:
:let b = 0zFF00ED015DAF
Dots can be inserted between bytes (pair of hex characters) for readability,
they don't change the value:
:let b = 0zFF00.ED01.5DAF
A blob can be read from a file with readfile() passing the {type} argument
set to "B", for example:
:let b = readfile('image.png', 'B')
A blob can be read from a channel with the ch_readblob() function.
Blob index
blob-index E979
A byte in the Blob can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
after the Blob. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first byte has index zero.
:let myblob = 0z00112233
:let byte = myblob[0] " get the first byte: 0x00
:let byte = myblob[2] " get the third byte: 0x22
A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last byte in
the Blob, -2 to the last but one byte, etc.
:let last = myblob[-1] " get the last byte: 0x33
To avoid an error for an invalid index use the get() function. When an item
is not available it returns -1 or the default value you specify:
:echo get(myblob, idx)
:echo get(myblob, idx, 999)
Blob iteration
The :for loop executes commands for each byte of a Blob. The loop variable is
set to each byte in the Blob. Example:
:for byte in 0z112233
: call Doit(byte)
:endfor
This calls Doit() with 0x11, 0x22 and 0x33.
Blob concatenation
Two blobs can be concatenated with the "+" operator:
:let longblob = myblob + 0z4455
:let myblob += 0z6677
To change a blob in-place see blob-modification below.
Part of a blob
A part of the Blob can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
separated by a colon in square brackets:
:let myblob = 0z00112233
:let shortblob = myblob[1:2] " get 0z1122
:let shortblob = myblob[2:-1] " get 0z2233
Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
similar to -1.
:let endblob = myblob[2:] " from item 2 to the end: 0z2233
:let shortblob = myblob[2:2] " Blob with one byte: 0z22
:let otherblob = myblob[:] " make a copy of the Blob
If the first index is beyond the last byte of the Blob or the second index is
before the first index, the result is an empty Blob. There is no error
message.
If the second index is equal to or greater than the length of the list the
length minus one is used:
:echo myblob[2:8] " result: 0z2233
Blob modification
blob-modification
To change a specific byte of a blob use :let this way:
:let blob[4] = 0x44
When the index is just one beyond the end of the Blob, it is appended. Any
higher index is an error.
To change a sequence of bytes the [:] notation can be used:
let blob[1:3] = 0z445566
The length of the replaced bytes must be exactly the same as the value
provided. E972
To change part of a blob you can specify the first and last byte to be
modified. The value must have the same number of bytes in the range:
:let blob[3:5] = 0z334455
You can also use the functions add(), remove() and insert().
Blob identity
Blobs can be compared for equality:
if blob == 0z001122
And for equal identity:
if blob is otherblob
blob-identity E977
When variable "aa" is a Blob and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
variables refer to the same Blob. Then the "is" operator returns true.
When making a copy using [:] or copy() the values are the same, but the
identity is different:
:let blob = 0z112233
:let blob2 = blob
:echo blob == blob2
1
:echo blob is blob2
1
:let blob3 = blob[:]
:echo blob == blob3
1
:echo blob is blob3
0
Making a copy of a Blob is done with the copy() function. Using [:] also
works, as explained above.
1.6 More about variables
more-variables
If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the type()
function.
When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
stored in the viminfo file viminfo-file.
When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
stored in the session file session-file.
variable name can be stored where
my_var_6 not
My_Var_6 session file
MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
curly-braces-names.
==============================================================================
2. Expression syntax expression-syntax
Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
expr1 expr2
expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
expr2 expr3
expr3 || expr3 ... logical OR
expr3 expr4
expr4 && expr4 ... logical AND
expr4 expr5
expr5 == expr5 equal
expr5 != expr5 not equal
expr5 > expr5 greater than
expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
expr5 < expr5 smaller than
expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
matching case
expr5 is expr5 same List, Dictionary or Blob instance
expr5 isnot expr5 different List, Dictionary or Blob
instance
expr5 expr6
expr6 + expr6 ... number addition, list or blob concatenation
expr6 - expr6 ... number subtraction
expr6 . expr6 ... string concatenation
expr6 .. expr6 ... string concatenation
expr6 expr7
expr7 * expr7 ... number multiplication
expr7 / expr7 ... number division
expr7 % expr7 ... number modulo
expr7 expr8
! expr7 logical NOT
- expr7 unary minus
+ expr7 unary plus
expr8 expr9
expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a List
expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a List
expr8.name entry in a Dictionary
expr8(expr1, ...) function call with Funcref variable
expr8->name(expr1, ...) method call
expr9 number number constant
"string" string constant, backslash is special
'string' string constant, ' is doubled
[expr1, ...] List
{expr1: expr1, ...} Dictionary
#{key: expr1, ...} Dictionary
&option option value
(expr1) nested expression
variable internal variable
va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
$VAR environment variable
@r contents of register 'r'
function(expr1, ...) function call
func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
{args -> expr1} lambda expression
"..." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
Example:
&nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
expr1 expr1 trinary falsy-operator ?? E109
-----
The trinary operator: expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
The falsy operator: expr2 ?? expr1
Trinary operator
The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
TRUE, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
Example:
:echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
Example:
:echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
To keep this readable, using line-continuation is suggested:
:echo lnum == 1
:\ ? "top"
:\ : lnum == 1000
:\ ? "last"
:\ : lnum
You should always put a space before the ':', otherwise it can be mistaken for
use in a variable such as "a:1".
Falsy operator
This is also known as the "null coalescing operator", but that's too
complicated, thus we just call it the falsy operator.
The expression before the '??' is evaluated. If it evaluates to
truthy, this is used as the result. Otherwise the expression after the '??'
is evaluated and used as the result. This is most useful to have a default
value for an expression that may result in zero or empty:
echo theList ?? 'list is empty'
echo GetName() ?? 'unknown'
These are similar, but not equal:
expr2 ?? expr1
expr2 ? expr2 : expr1
In the second line "expr2" is evaluated twice.
expr2 and expr3 expr2 expr3
---------------
expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR expr-barbar
expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND expr-&&
The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
input output
n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2
FALSE FALSE FALSE FALSE
FALSE TRUE TRUE FALSE
TRUE FALSE TRUE FALSE
TRUE TRUE TRUE TRUE
The operators can be concatenated, for example:
&nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of:
&nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example:
let a = 1
echo a || b
This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is TRUE,
so the result must be TRUE. Similarly below:
echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
expr4 expr4
-----
expr5 {cmp} expr5
Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
if it evaluates to true.
expr-== expr-!= expr-> expr->=
expr-< expr-<= expr-=~ expr-!~
expr-==# expr-!=# expr-># expr->=#
expr-<# expr-<=# expr-=~# expr-!~#
expr-==? expr-!=? expr->? expr->=?
expr-<? expr-<=? expr-=~? expr-!~?
expr-is expr-isnot expr-is# expr-isnot#
expr-is? expr-isnot?
use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case
equal == ==# ==?
not equal != !=# !=?
greater than > ># >?
greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
smaller than < <# <?
smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
same instance is is# is?
different instance isnot isnot# isnot?
Examples:
"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
E691 E692
A List can only be compared with a List and only "equal", "not equal",
"is" and "isnot" can be used. This compares the values of the list,
recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
E735 E736
A Dictionary can only be compared with a Dictionary and only "equal", "not
equal", "is" and "isnot" can be used. This compares the key/values of the
Dictionary recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing
item values.
E694
A Funcref can only be compared with a Funcref and only "equal", "not
equal", "is" and "isnot" can be used. Case is never ignored. Whether
arguments or a Dictionary are bound (with a partial) matters. The
Dictionaries must also be equal (or the same, in case of "is") and the
arguments must be equal (or the same).
To compare Funcrefs to see if they refer to the same function, ignoring bound
Dictionary and arguments, use get() to get the function name:
if get(Part1, 'name') == get(Part2, 'name')
" Part1 and Part2 refer to the same function
Using "is" or "isnot" with a List, Dictionary or Blob checks whether
the expressions are referring to the same List, Dictionary or Blob
instance. A copy of a List is different from the original List. When
using "is" without a List, Dictionary or Blob, it is equivalent to
using "equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that
a different type means the values are different:
echo 4 == '4'
1
echo 4 is '4'
0
echo 0 is []
0
"is#"/"isnot#" and "is?"/"isnot?" can be used to match and ignore case.
When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that:
echo 0 == 'x'
1
because 'x' converted to a Number is zero. However:
echo [0] == ['x']
0
Inside a List or Dictionary this conversion is not used.
When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
When using the operators with a trailing '#', or the short version and
'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp(): case matters.
When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp(): case is ignored.
'smartcase' is not used.
The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
argument, which is used as a pattern. See pattern for what a pattern is.
This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
single-quote string, see literal-string.
Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
"foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
"foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
expr5 and expr6 expr5 expr6
---------------
expr6 + expr6 Number addition, List or Blob concatenation expr-+
expr6 - expr6 Number subtraction expr--
expr6 . expr6 String concatenation expr-.
expr6 .. expr6 String concatenation expr-..
For Lists only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
For String concatenation ".." is preferred, since "." is ambiguous, it is also
used for Dict member access and floating point numbers.
When vimscript-version is 2 or higher, using "." is not allowed.
expr7 * expr7 Number multiplication expr-star
expr7 / expr7 Number division expr-/
expr7 % expr7 Number modulo expr-%
For all, except "." and "..", Strings are converted to Numbers.
For bitwise operators see and(), or() and xor().
Note the difference between "+" and ".":
"123" + "456" = 579
"123" . "456" = "123456"
Since '.' has the same precedence as '+' and '-', you need to read:
1 . 90 + 90.0
As:
(1 . 90) + 90.0
That works, since the String "190" is automatically converted to the Number
190, which can be added to the Float 90.0. However:
1 . 90 * 90.0
Should be read as:
1 . (90 * 90.0)
Since '.' has lower precedence than '*'. This does NOT work, since this
attempts to concatenate a Float and a String.
When dividing a Number by zero the result depends on the value:
0 / 0 = -0x80000000 (like NaN for Float)
>0 / 0 = 0x7fffffff (like positive infinity)
<0 / 0 = -0x7fffffff (like negative infinity)
(before Vim 7.2 it was always 0x7fffffff)
When 64-bit Number support is enabled:
0 / 0 = -0x8000000000000000 (like NaN for Float)
>0 / 0 = 0x7fffffffffffffff (like positive infinity)
<0 / 0 = -0x7fffffffffffffff (like negative infinity)
When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
None of these work for Funcrefs.
. and % do not work for Float. E804
expr7 expr7
-----
! expr7 logical NOT expr-!
- expr7 unary minus expr-unary--
+ expr7 unary plus expr-unary-+
For '!' TRUE becomes FALSE, FALSE becomes TRUE (one).
For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
For '+' the number is unchanged. Note: "++" has no effect.
A String will be converted to a Number first.
These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
!-1 == 0
!!8 == 1
--9 == 9
expr8 expr8
-----
This expression is either expr9 or a sequence of the alternatives below,
in any order. E.g., these are all possible:
expr8[expr1].name
expr8.name[expr1]
expr8(expr1, ...)[expr1].name
expr8->(expr1, ...)[expr1]
Evaluation is always from left to right.
expr8[expr1] item of String or List expr-[] E111
E909 subscript
In legacy Vim script:
If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String (a number is
automatically converted to a String), expr1 as a Number. This doesn't
recognize multibyte encodings, see byteidx() for an alternative, or use
split() to turn the string into a list of characters. Example, to get the
byte under the cursor:
:let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]
In Vim9 script:
If expr8 is a String this results in a String that contains the expr1'th
single character (including any composing characters) from expr8. To use byte
indexes use strpart().
Index zero gives the first byte or character. Careful: text column numbers
start with one!
If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backward
compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte or character.
In Vim9 script a negative index is used like with a list: count from the end.
If expr8 is a List then it results the item at index expr1. See list-index
for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
error. Example:
:let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
Generally, if a List index is equal to or higher than the length of the
List, or more negative than the length of the List, this results in an
error.
expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist expr-[:]
If expr8 is a String this results in the substring with the bytes or
characters from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String,
expr1a and expr1b are used as a Number.
In legacy Vim script the indexes are byte indexes. This doesn't recognize
multibyte encodings, see byteidx() for computing the indexes. If expr8 is
a Number it is first converted to a String.
In Vim9 script the indexes are character indexes and include composing
characters. To use byte indexes use strpart(). To use character indexes
without including composing characters use strcharpart().
The item at index expr1b is included, it is inclusive. For an exclusive index
use the slice() function.
If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
string minus one is used.
A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
Examples:
:let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
:let c = name[0:-1] " the whole string
:let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
:let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
:let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
slice
If expr8 is a List this results in a new List with the items indicated by
the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
just above. Also see sublist below. Examples:
:let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
:let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
:let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
If expr8 is a Blob this results in a new Blob with the bytes in the
indexes expr1a and expr1b, inclusive. Examples:
:let b = 0zDEADBEEF
:let bs = b[1:2] " 0zADBE
:let bs = b[:] " copy of 0zDEADBEEF
Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a Funcref results in an
error.
Watch out for confusion between a namespace and a variable followed by a colon
for a sublist:
mylist[n:] " uses variable n
mylist[s:] " uses namespace s:, error!
expr8.name entry in a Dictionary expr-entry
If expr8 is a Dictionary and it is followed by a dot, then the following
name will be used as a key in the Dictionary. This is just like:
expr8[name].
The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
There must not be white space before or after the dot.
Examples:
:let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
:echo dict.one " shows "1"
:echo dict.2 " shows "two"
:echo dict .2 " error because of space before the dot
Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
expr8(expr1, ...) Funcref function call
When expr8 is a Funcref type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
expr8->name([args]) method call method ->
expr8->{lambda}([args])
E276
For methods that are also available as global functions this is the same as:
name(expr8 [, args])
There can also be methods specifically for the type of "expr8".
This allows for chaining, passing the value that one method returns to the
next method:
mylist->filter(filterexpr)->map(mapexpr)->sort()->join()
Example of using a lambda:
GetPercentage()->{x -> x * 100}()->printf('%d%%')
When using -> the expr7 operators will be applied first, thus:
-1.234->string()
Is equivalent to:
(-1.234)->string()
And NOT:
-(1.234->string())
E274
"->name(" must not contain white space. There can be white space before the
"->" and after the "(", thus you can split the lines like this:
mylist
\ ->filter(filterexpr)
\ ->map(mapexpr)
\ ->sort()
\ ->join()
When using the lambda form there must be no white space between the } and the
(.
expr9
number
------
number number constant expr-number
0x hex-number 0o octal-number binary-number
Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), Binary (starting with 0b or 0B)
and Octal (starting with 0, 0o or 0O).
floating-point-format
Floating point numbers can be written in two forms:
[-+]{N}.{M}
[-+]{N}.{M}[eE][-+]{exp}
{N} and {M} are numbers. Both {N} and {M} must be present and can only
contain digits.
[-+] means there is an optional plus or minus sign.
{exp} is the exponent, power of 10.
Only a decimal point is accepted, not a comma. No matter what the current
locale is.
{only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Examples:
123.456
+0.0001
55.0
-0.123
1.234e03
1.0E-6
-3.1416e+88
These are INVALID:
3. empty {M}
1e40 missing .{M}
Rationale:
Before floating point was introduced, the text "123.456" was interpreted as
the two numbers "123" and "456", both converted to a string and concatenated,
resulting in the string "123456". Since this was considered pointless, and we
could not find it intentionally being used in Vim scripts, this backwards
incompatibility was accepted in favor of being able to use the normal notation
for floating point numbers.
float-pi float-e
A few useful values to copy&paste:
:let pi = 3.14159265359
:let e = 2.71828182846
Or, if you don't want to write them in as floating-point literals, you can
also use functions, like the following:
:let pi = acos(-1.0)
:let e = exp(1.0)
floating-point-precision
The precision and range of floating points numbers depends on what "double"
means in the library Vim was compiled with. There is no way to change this at
runtime.
The default for displaying a Float is to use 6 decimal places, like using
printf("%g", f). You can select something else when using the printf()
function. Example:
:echo printf('%.15e', atan(1))
7.853981633974483e-01
string string String expr-string E114
------
"string" string constant expr-quote
Note that double quotes are used.
A string constant accepts these special characters:
\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
\X.. same as \x..
\X. same as \x.
\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
\U.... same as \u but allows up to 8 hex numbers.
\b backspace <BS>
\e escape <Esc>
\f formfeed <FF>
\n newline <NL>
\r return <CR>
\t tab <Tab>
\\ backslash
\" double quote
\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W. This is for use
in mappings, the 0x80 byte is escaped.
To use the double quote character it must be escaped: "<M-\">".
Don't use <Char-xxxx> to get a utf-8 character, use \uxxxx as
mentioned above.
\<*xxx> Like \<xxx> but prepends a modifier instead of including it in the
character. E.g. "\<C-w>" is one character 0x17 while "\<*C-w>" is four
bytes: 3 for the CTRL modifier and then character "W".
Note that "\xff" is stored as the byte 255, which may be invalid in some
encodings. Use "\u00ff" to store character 255 according to the current value
of 'encoding'.
Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
blob-literal blob-literal E973
------------
Hexadecimal starting with 0z or 0Z, with an arbitrary number of bytes.
The sequence must be an even number of hex characters. Example:
:let b = 0zFF00ED015DAF
literal-string literal-string E115
---------------
'string' string constant expr-'
Note that single quotes are used.
This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent:
if a =~ "\\s*"
if a =~ '\s*'
option expr-option E112 E113
------
&option option value, local value if possible
&g:option global option value
&l:option local option value
Examples:
echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
if &insertmode
Any option name can be used here. See options. When using the local value
and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
anyway.
register expr-register @r
--------
@r contents of register 'r'
The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
register use @" or @@. See registers for an explanation of the available
registers.
When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
evaluates to. Use eval() to evaluate it.
nesting expr-nesting E110
-------
(expr1) nested expression
environment variable expr-env
--------------------
$VAR environment variable
The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
result is an empty string.
The functions getenv() and setenv() can also be used and work for
environment variables with non-alphanumeric names.
The function environ() can be used to get a Dict with all environment
variables.
expr-env-expand
Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example:
:echo $shell
:echo expand("$shell")
The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $shell
variable (if your shell supports it).
internal variable expr-variable
-----------------
variable internal variable
See below internal-variables.
function call expr-function E116 E118 E119 E120
-------------
function(expr1, ...) function call
See below functions.
lambda expression expr-lambda lambda
-----------------
{args -> expr1} lambda expression
A lambda expression creates a new unnamed function which returns the result of
evaluating expr1. Lambda expressions differ from user-functions in
the following ways:
1. The body of the lambda expression is an expr1 and not a sequence of Ex
commands.
2. The prefix "a:" should not be used for arguments. E.g.:
:let F = {arg1, arg2 -> arg1 - arg2}
:echo F(5, 2)
3
The arguments are optional. Example:
:let F = {-> 'error function'}
:echo F('ignored')
error function
Note that in Vim9 script another kind of lambda can be used: vim9-lambda.
closure
Lambda expressions can access outer scope variables and arguments. This is
often called a closure. Example where "i" and "a:arg" are used in a lambda
while they already exist in the function scope. They remain valid even after
the function returns:
:function Foo(arg)
: let i = 3
: return {x -> x + i - a:arg}
:endfunction
:let Bar = Foo(4)
:echo Bar(6)
5
Note that the variables must exist in the outer scope before the lambda is
defined for this to work. See also :func-closure.
Lambda and closure support can be checked with:
if has('lambda')
Examples for using a lambda expression with sort(), map() and filter():
:echo map([1, 2, 3], {idx, val -> val + 1})
[2, 3, 4]
:echo sort([3,7,2,1,4], {a, b -> a - b})
[1, 2, 3, 4, 7]
The lambda expression is also useful for Channel, Job and timer:
:let timer = timer_start(500,
\ {-> execute("echo 'Handler called'", "")},
\ {'repeat': 3})
Handler called
Handler called
Handler called
Note that it is possible to cause memory to be used and not freed if the
closure is referenced by the context it depends on:
function Function()
let x = 0
let F = {-> x}
endfunction
The closure uses "x" from the function scope, and "F" in that same scope
refers to the closure. This cycle results in the memory not being freed.
Recommendation: don't do this.
Notice how execute() is used to execute an Ex command. That's ugly though.
In Vim9 script you can use a command block, see inline-function.
Lambda expressions have internal names like '<lambda>42'. If you get an error
for a lambda expression, you can find what it is with the following command:
:function <lambda>42
See also: numbered-function
==============================================================================
3. Internal variable internal-variables E461
An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
curly-braces-names.
An internal variable is created with the ":let" command :let.
An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
:unlet.
Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
been destroyed results in an error.
variable-scope
There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
specified by what is prepended:
(nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
buffer-variable b: Local to the current buffer.
window-variable w: Local to the current window.
tabpage-variable t: Local to the current tab page.
global-variable g: Global.
local-variable l: Local to a function.
script-variable s: Local to a :source'ed Vim script.
function-argument a: Function argument (only inside a function).
vim-variable v: Global, predefined by Vim.
The scope name by itself can be used as a Dictionary. For example, to
delete all script-local variables:
:for k in keys(s:)
: unlet s:[k]
:endfor
Note: in Vim9 script this is different, see vim9-scopes.
buffer-variable b:var b:
A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
:bdelete.
One local buffer variable is predefined:
b:changedtick changetick
b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
in this case. Resetting 'modified' when writing the buffer is
also counted.
This can be used to perform an action only when the buffer has
changed. Example:
:if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
: let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
: call My_Update()
:endif
You cannot change or delete the b:changedtick variable.
window-variable w:var w:
A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
is deleted when the window is closed.
tabpage-variable t:var t:
A variable name that is preceded with "t:" is local to the current tab page,
It is deleted when the tab page is closed. {not available when compiled
without the +windows feature}
global-variable g:var g:
Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
place if you like.
local-variable l:var l:
Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
But you can also prepend "l:" if you like. However, without prepending "l:"
you may run into reserved variable names. For example "count". By itself it
refers to "v:count". Using "l:count" you can have a local variable with the
same name.
script-variable s:var
In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
They can be used in:
- commands executed while the script is sourced
- functions defined in the script
- autocommands defined in the script
- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
defined in the script (recursively)
- user defined commands defined in the script
Thus not in:
- other scripts sourced from this one
- mappings
- menus
- etc.
Script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
Take this example:
let s:counter = 0
function MyCounter()
let s:counter = s:counter + 1
echo s:counter
endfunction
command Tick call MyCounter()
You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
"Tick" was defined is used.
Another example that does the same:
let s:counter = 0
command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
defined.
The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
function that is defined in a script. Example:
let s:counter = 0
function StartCounting(incr)
if a:incr
function MyCounter()
let s:counter = s:counter + 1
endfunction
else
function MyCounter()
let s:counter = s:counter - 1
endfunction
endif
endfunction
This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
maintain a counter:
if !exists("s:counter")
let s:counter = 1
echo "script executed for the first time"
else
let s:counter = s:counter + 1
echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
endif
Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead b:var.
PREDEFINED VIM VARIABLES vim-variable v:var v:
E963
Some variables can be set by the user, but the type cannot be changed.
v:argv argv-variable
v:argv The command line arguments Vim was invoked with. This is a
list of strings. The first item is the Vim command.
v:beval_col beval_col-variable
v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
This is the byte index in the v:beval_lnum line.
Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
v:beval_bufnr beval_bufnr-variable
v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
v:beval_lnum beval_lnum-variable
v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
v:beval_text beval_text-variable
v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
highlighted text is used. Also see <cexpr>.
Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
v:beval_winnr beval_winnr-variable
v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option. The first
window has number zero (unlike most other places where a
window gets a number).
v:beval_winid beval_winid-variable
v:beval_winid The window-ID of the window, over which the mouse pointer
is. Otherwise like v:beval_winnr.
v:char char-variable
v:char Argument for evaluating 'formatexpr' and used for the typed
character when using <expr> in an abbreviation :map-<expr>.
It is also used by the InsertCharPre and InsertEnter events.
v:charconvert_from charconvert_from-variable
v:charconvert_from
The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
v:charconvert_to charconvert_to-variable
v:charconvert_to
The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
v:cmdarg cmdarg-variable
v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
possible to append this variable directly after the
read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
included here, because it will be executed anyway.
2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
in 'printexpr'.
v:cmdbang cmdbang-variable
v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
can only be used in autocommands. For user commands <bang>
can be used.
v:collate collate-variable
v:collate The current locale setting for collation order of the runtime
environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
LC_COLLATE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
This variable can not be set directly, use the :language
command.
See multi-lang.
v:completed_item completed_item-variable
v:completed_item
Dictionary containing the complete-items for the most
recently completed word after CompleteDone. The
Dictionary is empty if the completion failed.
v:count count-variable
v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example:
:map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
get when typing ':' after a count.
When there are two counts, as in "3d2w", they are multiplied,
just like what happens in the command, "d6w" for the example.
Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
"count" also works, for backwards compatibility, unless
scriptversion is 3 or higher.
v:count1 count1-variable
v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
used.
v:ctype ctype-variable
v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
This variable can not be set directly, use the :language
command.
See multi-lang.
v:dying dying-variable
v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
Example:
:au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
Note: if another deadly signal is caught when v:dying is one,
VimLeave autocommands will not be executed.
v:exiting exiting-variable
v:exiting Vim exit code. Normally zero, non-zero when something went
wrong. The value is v:null before invoking the VimLeavePre
and VimLeave autocmds. See :q, :x and :cquit.
Example:
:au VimLeave * echo "Exit value is " .. v:exiting
v:echospace echospace-variable
v:echospace Number of screen cells that can be used for an :echo message
in the last screen line before causing the hit-enter-prompt.
Depends on 'showcmd', 'ruler' and 'columns'. You need to
check 'cmdheight' for whether there are full-width lines
available above the last line.
v:errmsg errmsg-variable
v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
Example:
:let v:errmsg = ""
:silent! next
:if v:errmsg != ""
: ... handle error
"errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility, unless
scriptversion is 3 or higher.
v:errors errors-variable assert-return
v:errors Errors found by assert functions, such as assert_true().
This is a list of strings.
The assert functions append an item when an assert fails.
The return value indicates this: a one is returned if an item
was added to v:errors, otherwise zero is returned.
To remove old results make it empty:
:let v:errors = []
If v:errors is set to anything but a list it is made an empty
list by the assert function.
v:event event-variable
v:event Dictionary containing information about the current
autocommand. See the specific event for what it puts in
this dictionary.
The dictionary is emptied when the autocommand finishes,
please refer to dict-identity for how to get an independent
copy of it. Use deepcopy() if you want to keep the
information after the event triggers. Example:
au TextYankPost * let g:foo = deepcopy(v:event)
v:exception exception-variable
v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
finished. See also v:throwpoint and throw-variables.
Example:
:try
: throw "oops"
:catch /.*/
: echo "caught " .. v:exception
:endtry
Output: "caught oops".
v:false false-variable
v:false A Number with value zero. Used to put "false" in JSON. See
json_encode().
When used as a string this evaluates to "v:false".
echo v:false
v:false
That is so that eval() can parse the string back to the same
value. Read-only.
v:fcs_reason fcs_reason-variable
v:fcs_reason The reason why the FileChangedShell event was triggered.
Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
deleted file no longer exists
conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
changed and buffer is modified
changed file contents has changed
mode mode of file changed
time only file timestamp changed
v:fcs_choice fcs_choice-variable
v:fcs_choice What should happen after a FileChangedShell event was
triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
do with the affected buffer:
reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
the file was deleted).
ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
was no autocommand. Except that when
only the timestamp changed nothing
will happen.
<empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
everything that needs to be done.
The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
v:fname fname-variable
v:fname When evaluating 'includeexpr': the file name that was
detected. Empty otherwise.
v:fname_in fname_in-variable
v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
option used for
'charconvert' file to be converted
'diffexpr' original file
'patchexpr' original file
'printexpr' file to be printed
And set to the swap file name for SwapExists.
v:fname_out fname_out-variable
v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
evaluating:
option used for
'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
'diffexpr' output of diff
'patchexpr' resulting patched file
(*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
file and different from v:fname_in.
v:fname_new fname_new-variable
v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
evaluating 'diffexpr'.
v:fname_diff fname_diff-variable
v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
evaluating 'patchexpr'.
v:folddashes folddashes-variable
v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
fold.
Read-only in the sandbox. fold-foldtext
v:foldlevel foldlevel-variable
v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Read-only in the sandbox. fold-foldtext
v:foldend foldend-variable
v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Read-only in the sandbox. fold-foldtext
v:foldstart foldstart-variable
v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Read-only in the sandbox. fold-foldtext
v:hlsearch hlsearch-variable
v:hlsearch Variable that indicates whether search highlighting is on.
Setting it makes sense only if 'hlsearch' is enabled which
requires +extra_search. Setting this variable to zero acts
like the :nohlsearch command, setting it to one acts like
let &hlsearch = &hlsearch
Note that the value is restored when returning from a
function. function-search-undo.
v:insertmode insertmode-variable
v:insertmode Used for the InsertEnter and InsertChange autocommand
events. Values:
i Insert mode
r Replace mode
v Virtual Replace mode
v:key key-variable
v:key Key of the current item of a Dictionary. Only valid while
evaluating the expression used with map() and filter().
Read-only.
v:lang lang-variable
v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
The value is system dependent.
This variable can not be set directly, use the :language
command.
It can be different from v:ctype when messages are desired
in a different language than what is used for character
encoding. See multi-lang.
v:lc_time lc_time-variable
v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
This variable can not be set directly, use the :language
command. See multi-lang.
v:lnum lnum-variable
v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' fold-expr, 'formatexpr' and
'indentexpr' expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel'
and 'guitabtooltip'. Only valid while one of these
expressions is being evaluated. Read-only when in the
sandbox.
v:mouse_win mouse_win-variable
v:mouse_win Window number for a mouse click obtained with getchar().
First window has number 1, like with winnr(). The value is
zero when there was no mouse button click.
v:mouse_winid mouse_winid-variable
v:mouse_winid Window ID for a mouse click obtained with getchar().
The value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
v:mouse_lnum mouse_lnum-variable
v:mouse_lnum Line number for a mouse click obtained with getchar().
This is the text line number, not the screen line number. The
value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
v:mouse_col mouse_col-variable
v:mouse_col Column number for a mouse click obtained with getchar().
This is the screen column number, like with virtcol(). The
value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
v:none none-variable None
v:none An empty String. Used to put an empty item in JSON. See
json_encode().
This can also be used as a function argument to use the
default value, see none-function_argument.
When used as a number this evaluates to zero.
When used as a string this evaluates to "v:none".
echo v:none
v:none
That is so that eval() can parse the string back to the same
value. Read-only.
v:null null-variable
v:null An empty String. Used to put "null" in JSON. See
json_encode().
When used as a number this evaluates to zero.
When used as a string this evaluates to "v:null".
echo v:null
v:null
That is so that eval() can parse the string back to the same
value. Read-only.
v:numbermax numbermax-variable
v:numbermax Maximum value of a number.
v:numbermin numbermin-variable
v:numbermin Minimum value of a number (negative).
v:numbersize numbersize-variable
v:numbersize Number of bits in a Number. This is normally 64, but on some
systems it may be 32.
v:oldfiles oldfiles-variable
v:oldfiles List of file names that is loaded from the viminfo file on
startup. These are the files that Vim remembers marks for.
The length of the List is limited by the ' argument of the
'viminfo' option (default is 100).
When the viminfo file is not used the List is empty.
Also see :oldfiles and c_#<.
The List can be modified, but this has no effect on what is
stored in the viminfo file later. If you use values other
than String this will cause trouble.
{only when compiled with the |+viminfo| feature}
v:option_new
v:option_new New value of the option. Valid while executing an OptionSet
autocommand.
v:option_old
v:option_old Old value of the option. Valid while executing an OptionSet
autocommand. Depending on the command used for setting and the
kind of option this is either the local old value or the
global old value.
v:option_oldlocal
v:option_oldlocal
Old local value of the option. Valid while executing an
OptionSet autocommand.
v:option_oldglobal
v:option_oldglobal
Old global value of the option. Valid while executing an
OptionSet autocommand.
v:option_type
v:option_type Scope of the set command. Valid while executing an
OptionSet autocommand. Can be either "global" or "local"
v:option_command
v:option_command
Command used to set the option. Valid while executing an
OptionSet autocommand.
value option was set via
"setlocal" :setlocal or ":let l:xxx"
"setglobal" :setglobal or ":let g:xxx"
"set" :set or :let
"modeline" modeline
v:operator operator-variable
v:operator The last operator given in Normal mode. This is a single
character except for commands starting with <g> or <z>,
in which case it is two characters. Best used alongside
v:prevcount and v:register. Useful if you want to cancel
Operator-pending mode and then use the operator, e.g.:
:omap O <Esc>:call MyMotion(v:operator)<CR>
The value remains set until another operator is entered, thus
don't expect it to be empty.
v:operator is not set for :delete, :yank or other Ex
commands.
Read-only.
v:prevcount prevcount-variable
v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
you want to cancel Visual or Operator-pending mode and then
use the count, e.g.:
:vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
Read-only.
v:profiling profiling-variable
v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
See profiling.
v:progname progname-variable
v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for view,
evim etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
Read-only.
v:progpath progpath-variable
v:progpath Contains the command with which Vim was invoked, in a form
that when passed to the shell will run the same Vim executable
as the current one (if $PATH remains unchanged).
Useful if you want to message a Vim server using a
--remote-expr.
To get the full path use:
echo exepath(v:progpath)
If the command has a relative path it will be expanded to the
full path, so that it still works after :cd. Thus starting
"./vim" results in "/home/user/path/to/vim/src/vim".
On Linux and other systems it will always be the full path.
On Mac it may just be "vim" and using exepath() as mentioned
above should be used to get the full path.
On MS-Windows the executable may be called "vim.exe", but the
".exe" is not added to v:progpath.
Read-only.
v:register register-variable
v:register The name of the register in effect for the current normal mode
command (regardless of whether that command actually used a
register). Or for the currently executing normal mode mapping
(use this in custom commands that take a register).
If none is supplied it is the default register '"', unless
'clipboard' contains "unnamed" or "unnamedplus", then it is
'*' or '+'.
Also see getreg() and setreg()
v:scrollstart scrollstart-variable
v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
typed command.
This can be used to find out why your script causes the
hit-enter prompt.
v:servername servername-variable
v:servername The resulting registered client-server-name if any.
Read-only.
v:searchforward v:searchforward searchforward-variable
Search direction: 1 after a forward search, 0 after a
backward search. It is reset to forward when directly setting
the last search pattern, see quote/.
Note that the value is restored when returning from a
function. function-search-undo.
Read-write.
v:shell_error shell_error-variable
v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
executed. Read-only.
Example:
:!mv foo bar
:if v:shell_error
: echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
:endif
"shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility, unless
scriptversion is 3 or higher.
v:statusmsg statusmsg-variable
v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
v:swapname swapname-variable
v:swapname Only valid when executing SwapExists autocommands: Name of
the swap file found. Read-only.
v:swapchoice swapchoice-variable
v:swapchoice SwapExists autocommands can set this to the selected choice
for handling an existing swap file:
'o' Open read-only
'e' Edit anyway
'r' Recover
'd' Delete swapfile
'q' Quit
'a' Abort
The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
v:swapcommand swapcommand-variable
v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
opened. Can be used for a SwapExists autocommand to have
another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
v:t_TYPE v:t_bool t_bool-variable
v:t_bool Value of Boolean type. Read-only. See: type()
v:t_channel t_channel-variable
v:t_channel Value of Channel type. Read-only. See: type()
v:t_dict t_dict-variable
v:t_dict Value of Dictionary type. Read-only. See: type()
v:t_float t_float-variable
v:t_float Value of Float type. Read-only. See: type()
v:t_func t_func-variable
v:t_func Value of Funcref type. Read-only. See: type()
v:t_job t_job-variable
v:t_job Value of Job type. Read-only. See: type()
v:t_list t_list-variable
v:t_list Value of List type. Read-only. See: type()
v:t_none t_none-variable
v:t_none Value of None type. Read-only. See: type()
v:t_number t_number-variable
v:t_number Value of Number type. Read-only. See: type()
v:t_string t_string-variable
v:t_string Value of String type. Read-only. See: type()
v:t_blob t_blob-variable
v:t_blob Value of Blob type. Read-only. See: type()
v:termresponse termresponse-variable
v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the t_RV
termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
that starts with ESC [ or CSI, then '>' or '?' and ends in a
'c', with only digits and ';' in between.
When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
fired, so that you can react to the response from the
terminal. You can use terminalprops() to see what Vim
figured out about the terminal.
The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[> Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
{only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
v:termblinkresp
v:termblinkresp The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the t_RC
termcap entry. This is used to find out whether the terminal
cursor is blinking. This is used by term_getcursor().
v:termstyleresp
v:termstyleresp The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the t_RS
termcap entry. This is used to find out what the shape of the
cursor is. This is used by term_getcursor().
v:termrbgresp
v:termrbgresp The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the t_RB
termcap entry. This is used to find out what the terminal
background color is, see 'background'.
v:termrfgresp
v:termrfgresp The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the t_RF
termcap entry. This is used to find out what the terminal
foreground color is.
v:termu7resp
v:termu7resp The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the t_u7
termcap entry. This is used to find out what the terminal
does with ambiguous width characters, see 'ambiwidth'.
v:testing testing-variable
v:testing Must be set before using test_garbagecollect_now().
Also, when set certain error messages won't be shown for 2
seconds. (e.g. "'dictionary' option is empty")
v:this_session this_session-variable
v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
:mksession. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
"this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility, unless
scriptversion is 3 or higher
v:throwpoint throwpoint-variable
v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
also v:exception and throw-variables.
Example:
:try
: throw "oops"
:catch /.*/
: echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
:endtry
Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
v:true true-variable
v:true A Number with value one. Used to put "true" in JSON. See
json_encode().
When used as a string this evaluates to "v:true".
echo v:true
v:true
That is so that eval() can parse the string back to the same
value. Read-only.
v:val val-variable
v:val Value of the current item of a List or Dictionary. Only
valid while evaluating the expression used with map() and
filter(). Read-only.
v:version version-variable
v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1
is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
compatibility, unless scriptversion is 3 or higher.
Use has() to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.:
if has("patch-7.4.123")
Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
completely different.
v:versionlong versionlong-variable
v:versionlong Like v:version, but also including the patchlevel in the last
four digits. Version 8.1 with patch 123 has value 8010123.
This can be used like this:
if v:versionlong >= 8010123
However, if there are gaps in the list of patches included
this will not work well. This can happen if a recent patch
was included into an older version, e.g. for a security fix.
Use the has() function to make sure the patch is actually
included.
v:vim_did_enter vim_did_enter-variable
v:vim_did_enter Zero until most of startup is done. It is set to one just
before VimEnter autocommands are triggered.
v:warningmsg warningmsg-variable
v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
v:windowid windowid-variable
v:windowid When any X11 based GUI is running or when running in a
terminal and Vim connects to the X server (-X) this will be
set to the window ID.
When an MS-Windows GUI is running this will be set to the
window handle.
Otherwise the value is zero.
Note: for windows inside Vim use winnr() or win_getid(),
see window-ID.
==============================================================================
4. Builtin Functions functions
See function-list for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION
abs({expr}) Float or Number absolute value of {expr}
acos({expr}) Float arc cosine of {expr}
add({object}, {item}) List/Blob append {item} to {object}
and({expr}, {expr}) Number bitwise AND
append({lnum}, {text}) Number append {text} below line {lnum}
appendbufline({expr}, {lnum}, {text})
Number append {text} below line {lnum}
in buffer {expr}
argc([{winid}]) Number number of files in the argument list
argidx() Number current index in the argument list
arglistid([{winnr} [, {tabnr}]]) Number argument list id
argv({nr} [, {winid}]) String {nr} entry of the argument list
argv([-1, {winid}]) List the argument list
asin({expr}) Float arc sine of {expr}
assert_beeps({cmd}) Number assert {cmd} causes a beep
assert_equal({exp}, {act} [, {msg}])
Number assert {exp} is equal to {act}
assert_equalfile({fname-one}, {fname-two} [, {msg}])
Number assert file contents are equal
assert_exception({error} [, {msg}])
Number assert {error} is in v:exception
assert_fails({cmd} [, {error} [, {msg} [, {lnum} [, {context}]]]])
Number assert {cmd} fails
assert_false({actual} [, {msg}])
Number assert {actual} is false
assert_inrange({lower}, {upper}, {actual} [, {msg}])
Number assert {actual} is inside the range
assert_match({pat}, {text} [, {msg}])
Number assert {pat} matches {text}
assert_nobeep({cmd}) Number assert {cmd} does not cause a beep
assert_notequal({exp}, {act} [, {msg}])
Number assert {exp} is not equal {act}
assert_notmatch({pat}, {text} [, {msg}])
Number assert {pat} not matches {text}
assert_report({msg}) Number report a test failure
assert_true({actual} [, {msg}]) Number assert {actual} is true
atan({expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr}
atan2({expr1}, {expr2}) Float arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}
balloon_gettext() String current text in the balloon
balloon_show({expr}) none show {expr} inside the balloon
balloon_split({msg}) List split {msg} as used for a balloon
browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
String put up a file requester
browsedir({title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
bufadd({name}) Number add a buffer to the buffer list
bufexists({expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
buflisted({expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
bufload({expr}) Number load buffer {expr} if not loaded yet
bufloaded({expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
bufname([{expr}]) String Name of the buffer {expr}
bufnr([{expr} [, {create}]]) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
bufwinid({expr}) Number window ID of buffer {expr}
bufwinnr({expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
byte2line({byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
byteidx({expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
byteidxcomp({expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
ceil({expr}) Float round {expr} up
ch_canread({handle}) Number check if there is something to read
ch_close({handle}) none close {handle}
ch_close_in({handle}) none close in part of {handle}
ch_evalexpr({handle}, {expr} [, {options}])
any evaluate {expr} on JSON {handle}
ch_evalraw({handle}, {string} [, {options}])
any evaluate {string} on raw {handle}
ch_getbufnr({handle}, {what}) Number get buffer number for {handle}/{what}
ch_getjob({channel}) Job get the Job of {channel}
ch_info({handle}) String info about channel {handle}
ch_log({msg} [, {handle}]) none write {msg} in the channel log file
ch_logfile({fname} [, {mode}]) none start logging channel activity
ch_open({address} [, {options}])
Channel open a channel to {address}
ch_read({handle} [, {options}]) String read from {handle}
ch_readblob({handle} [, {options}])
Blob read Blob from {handle}
ch_readraw({handle} [, {options}])
String read raw from {handle}
ch_sendexpr({handle}, {expr} [, {options}])
any send {expr} over JSON {handle}
ch_sendraw({handle}, {expr} [, {options}])
any send {expr} over raw {handle}
ch_setoptions({handle}, {options})
none set options for {handle}
ch_status({handle} [, {options}])
String status of channel {handle}
changenr() Number current change number
char2nr({expr} [, {utf8}]) Number ASCII/UTF8 value of first char in {expr}
charclass({string}) Number character class of {string}
charcol({expr}) Number column number of cursor or mark
charidx({string}, {idx} [, {countcc}])
Number char index of byte {idx} in {string}
chdir({dir}) String change current working directory
cindent({lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
clearmatches([{win}]) none clear all matches
col({expr}) Number column byte index of cursor or mark
complete({startcol}, {matches}) none set Insert mode completion
complete_add({expr}) Number add completion match
complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
complete_info([{what}]) Dict get current completion information
confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
Number number of choice picked by user
copy({expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
cos({expr}) Float cosine of {expr}
cosh({expr}) Float hyperbolic cosine of {expr}
count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]])
Number count how many {expr} are in {comp}
cscope_connection([{num}, {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
Number checks existence of cscope connection
cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}])
Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {off}
cursor({list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
debugbreak({pid}) Number interrupt process being debugged
deepcopy({expr} [, {noref}]) any make a full copy of {expr}
delete({fname} [, {flags}]) Number delete the file or directory {fname}
deletebufline({expr}, {first} [, {last}])
Number delete lines from buffer {expr}
did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocmd event used
diff_filler({lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
digraph_get({chars}) String get the digraph of {chars}
digraph_getlist([{listall}]) List get all digraphs
digraph_set({chars}, {digraph}) Boolean register digraph
digraph_setlist({digraphlist}) Boolean register multiple digraphs
echoraw({expr}) none output {expr} as-is
empty({expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
environ() Dict return environment variables
escape({string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
eval({string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
eventhandler() Number TRUE if inside an event handler
executable({expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
execute({command}) String execute {command} and get the output
exepath({expr}) String full path of the command {expr}
exists({expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
exp({expr}) Float exponential of {expr}
expand({expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list}]])
any expand special keywords in {expr}
expandcmd({expr}) String expand {expr} like with :edit
extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
extendnew({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
List/Dict like extend() but creates a new
List or Dictionary
feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
filereadable({file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
filewritable({file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
filter({expr1}, {expr2}) List/Dict remove items from {expr1} where
{expr2} is 0
finddir({name} [, {path} [, {count}]])
String find directory {name} in {path}
findfile({name} [, {path} [, {count}]])
String find file {name} in {path}
flatten({list} [, {maxdepth}]) List flatten {list} up to {maxdepth} levels
flattennew({list} [, {maxdepth}])
List flatten a copy of {list}
float2nr({expr}) Number convert Float {expr} to a Number
floor({expr}) Float round {expr} down
fmod({expr1}, {expr2}) Float remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}
fnameescape({fname}) String escape special characters in {fname}
fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
foldclosed({lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
foldclosedend({lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
foldlevel({lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
foldtext() String line displayed for closed fold
foldtextresult({lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
foreground() Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
fullcommand({name}) String get full command from {name}
funcref({name} [, {arglist}] [, {dict}])
Funcref reference to function {name}
function({name} [, {arglist}] [, {dict}])
Funcref named reference to function {name}
garbagecollect([{atexit}]) none free memory, breaking cyclic references
get({list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
get({dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
get({func}, {what}) any get property of funcref/partial {func}
getbufinfo([{expr}]) List information about buffers
getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
getbufvar({expr}, {varname} [, {def}])
any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
getchangelist([{expr}]) List list of change list items
getchar([expr]) Number or String
get one character from the user
getcharmod() Number modifiers for the last typed character
getcharpos({expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
getcharsearch() Dict last character search
getcharstr([expr]) String get one character from the user
getcmdline() String return the current command-line
getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
getcmdtype() String return current command-line type
getcmdwintype() String return current command-line window type
getcompletion({pat}, {type} [, {filtered}])
List list of cmdline completion matches
getcurpos([{winnr}]) List position of the cursor
getcursorcharpos([{winnr}]) List character position of the cursor
getcwd([{winnr} [, {tabnr}]]) String get the current working directory
getenv({name}) String return environment variable
getfontname([{name}]) String name of font being used
getfperm({fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
getfsize({fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
getftime({fname}) Number last modification time of file
getftype({fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
getimstatus() Number TRUE if the IME status is active
getjumplist([{winnr} [, {tabnr}]])
List list of jump list items
getline({lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
getline({lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
getloclist({nr}) List list of location list items
getloclist({nr}, {what}) Dict get specific location list properties
getmarklist([{expr}]) List list of global/local marks
getmatches([{win}]) List list of current matches
getmousepos() Dict last known mouse position
getpid() Number process ID of Vim
getpos({expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
getqflist() List list of quickfix items
getqflist({what}) Dict get specific quickfix list properties
getreg([{regname} [, 1 [, {list}]]])
String or List contents of a register
getreginfo([{regname}]) Dict information about a register
getregtype([{regname}]) String type of a register
gettabinfo([{expr}]) List list of tab pages
gettabvar({nr}, {varname} [, {def}])
any variable {varname} in tab {nr} or {def}
gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {name} [, {def}])
any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
gettagstack([{nr}]) Dict get the tag stack of window {nr}
gettext({text}) String lookup translation of {text}
getwininfo([{winid}]) List list of info about each window
getwinpos([{timeout}]) List X and Y coord in pixels of the Vim window
getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of the Vim window
getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of the Vim window
getwinvar({nr}, {varname} [, {def}])
any variable {varname} in window {nr}
glob({expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list} [, {alllinks}]]])
any expand file wildcards in {expr}
glob2regpat({expr}) String convert a glob pat into a search pat
globpath({path}, {expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list} [, {alllinks}]]])
String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
has({feature} [, {check}]) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
has_key({dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
haslocaldir([{winnr} [, {tabnr}]])
Number TRUE if the window executed :lcd
or :tcd
hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
histadd({history}, {item}) Number add an item to a history
histdel({history} [, {item}]) Number remove an item from a history
histget({history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
histnr({history}) Number highest index of a history
hlID({name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
hlexists({name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
indent({lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
index({object}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
Number index in {object} where {expr} appears
input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
String get input from the user
inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
String like input() but in a GUI dialog
inputlist({textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
insert({object}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {object} [before {idx}]
interrupt() none interrupt script execution
invert({expr}) Number bitwise invert
isdirectory({directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
isinf({expr}) Number determine if {expr} is infinity value
(positive or negative)
islocked({expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
isnan({expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is NaN
items({dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
job_getchannel({job}) Channel get the channel handle for {job}
job_info([{job}]) Dict get information about {job}
job_setoptions({job}, {options}) none set options for {job}
job_start({command} [, {options}])
Job start a job
job_status({job}) String get the status of {job}
job_stop({job} [, {how}]) Number stop {job}
join({list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
js_decode({string}) any decode JS style JSON
js_encode({expr}) String encode JS style JSON
json_decode({string}) any decode JSON
json_encode({expr}) String encode JSON
keys({dict}) List keys in {dict}
len({expr}) Number the length of {expr}
libcall({lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
libcallnr({lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
line({expr} [, {winid}]) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
line2byte({lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
lispindent({lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
list2str({list} [, {utf8}]) String turn numbers in {list} into a String
listener_add({callback} [, {buf}])
Number add a callback to listen to changes
listener_flush([{buf}]) none invoke listener callbacks
listener_remove({id}) none remove a listener callback
localtime() Number current time
log({expr}) Float natural logarithm (base e) of {expr}
log10({expr}) Float logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10
luaeval({expr} [, {expr}]) any evaluate Lua expression
map({expr1}, {expr2}) List/Dict change each item in {expr1} to {expr}
maparg({name} [, {mode} [, {abbr} [, {dict}]]])
String or Dict
rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
mapcheck({name} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
String check for mappings matching {name}
mapnew({expr1}, {expr2}) List/Dict like map() but creates a new List
or Dictionary
mapset({mode}, {abbr}, {dict}) none restore mapping from maparg() result
match({expr}, {pat} [, {start} [, {count}]])
Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
matchadd({group}, {pattern} [, {priority} [, {id} [, {dict}]]])
Number highlight {pattern} with {group}
matchaddpos({group}, {pos} [, {priority} [, {id} [, {dict}]]])
Number highlight positions with {group}
matcharg({nr}) List arguments of :match
matchdelete({id} [, {win}]) Number delete match identified by {id}
matchend({expr}, {pat} [, {start} [, {count}]])
Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
matchfuzzy({list}, {str} [, {dict}])
List fuzzy match {str} in {list}
matchfuzzypos({list}, {str} [, {dict}])
List fuzzy match {str} in {list}
matchlist({expr}, {pat} [, {start} [, {count}]])
List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
matchstr({expr}, {pat} [, {start} [, {count}]])
String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
matchstrpos({expr}, {pat} [, {start} [, {count}]])
List {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
max({expr}) Number maximum value of items in {expr}
menu_info({name} [, {mode}]) Dict get menu item information
min({expr}) Number minimum value of items in {expr}
mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
Number create directory {name}
mode([expr]) String current editing mode
mzeval({expr}) any evaluate MzScheme expression
nextnonblank({lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
nr2char({expr} [, {utf8}]) String single char with ASCII/UTF8 value {expr}
or({expr}, {expr}) Number bitwise OR
pathshorten({expr} [, {len}]) String shorten directory names in a path
perleval({expr}) any evaluate Perl expression
popup_atcursor({what}, {options}) Number create popup window near the cursor
popup_beval({what}, {options}) Number create popup window for 'ballooneval'
popup_clear() none close all popup windows
popup_close({id} [, {result}]) none close popup window {id}
popup_create({what}, {options}) Number create a popup window
popup_dialog({what}, {options}) Number create a popup window used as a dialog
popup_filter_menu({id}, {key}) Number filter for a menu popup window
popup_filter_yesno({id}, {key}) Number filter for a dialog popup window
popup_findinfo() Number get window ID of info popup window
popup_findpreview() Number get window ID of preview popup window
popup_getoptions({id}) Dict get options of popup window {id}
popup_getpos({id}) Dict get position of popup window {id}
popup_hide({id}) none hide popup menu {id}
popup_list() List get a list of window IDs of all popups
popup_locate({row}, {col}) Number get window ID of popup at position
popup_menu({what}, {options}) Number create a popup window used as a menu
popup_move({id}, {options}) none set position of popup window {id}
popup_notification({what}, {options})
Number create a notification popup window
popup_setoptions({id}, {options})
none set options for popup window {id}
popup_settext({id}, {text}) none set the text of popup window {id}
popup_show({id}) none unhide popup window {id}
pow({x}, {y}) Float {x} to the power of {y}
prevnonblank({lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
printf({fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
prompt_getprompt({buf}) String get prompt text
prompt_setcallback({buf}, {expr}) none set prompt callback function
prompt_setinterrupt({buf}, {text}) none set prompt interrupt function
prompt_setprompt({buf}, {text}) none set prompt text
prop_add({lnum}, {col}, {props}) none add a text property
prop_clear({lnum} [, {lnum-end} [, {props}]])
none remove all text properties
prop_find({props} [, {direction}])
Dict search for a text property
prop_list({lnum} [, {props}]) List text properties in {lnum}
prop_remove({props} [, {lnum} [, {lnum-end}]])
Number remove a text property
prop_type_add({name}, {props}) none define a new property type
prop_type_change({name}, {props})
none change an existing property type
prop_type_delete({name} [, {props}])
none delete a property type
prop_type_get({name} [, {props}])
Dict get property type values
prop_type_list([{props}]) List get list of property types
pum_getpos() Dict position and size of pum if visible
pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
py3eval({expr}) any evaluate python3 expression
pyeval({expr}) any evaluate Python expression
pyxeval({expr}) any evaluate python_x expression
rand([{expr}]) Number get pseudo-random number
range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
List items from {expr} to {max}
readblob({fname}) Blob read a Blob from {fname}
readdir({dir} [, {expr} [, {dict}]])
List file names in {dir} selected by {expr}
readdirex({dir} [, {expr} [, {dict}]])
List file info in {dir} selected by {expr}
readfile({fname} [, {type} [, {max}]])
List get list of lines from file {fname}
reduce({object}, {func} [, {initial}])
any reduce {object} using {func}
reg_executing() String get the executing register name
reg_recording() String get the recording register name
reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
reltimefloat({time}) Float turn the time value into a Float
reltimestr({time}) String turn time value into a String
remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar} [, {timeout}]])
String send expression
remote_foreground({server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}])
Number check for reply string
remote_read({serverid} [, {timeout}])
String read reply string
remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
String send key sequence
remote_startserver({name}) none become server {name}
remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any/List
remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
remove({blob}, {idx} [, {end}]) Number/Blob
remove bytes {idx}-{end} from {blob}
remove({dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
rename({from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
repeat({expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
resolve({filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
reverse({list}) List reverse {list} in-place
round({expr}) Float round off {expr}
rubyeval({expr}) any evaluate Ruby expression
screenattr({row}, {col}) Number attribute at screen position
screenchar({row}, {col}) Number character at screen position
screenchars({row}, {col}) List List of characters at screen position
screencol() Number current cursor column
screenpos({winid}, {lnum}, {col}) Dict screen row and col of a text character
screenrow() Number current cursor row
screenstring({row}, {col}) String characters at screen position
search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout} [, {skip}]]]])
Number search for {pattern}
searchcount([{options}]) Dict get or update search stats
searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
Number search for variable declaration
searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Number search for other end of start/end pair
searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
List search for other end of start/end pair
searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout} [, {skip}]]]])
List search for {pattern}
server2client({clientid}, {string})
Number send reply string
serverlist() String get a list of available servers
setbufline({expr}, {lnum}, {text})
Number set line {lnum} to {text} in buffer
{expr}
setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val})
none set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
setcellwidths({list}) none set character cell width overrides
setcharpos({expr}, {list}) Number set the {expr} position to {list}
setcharsearch({dict}) Dict set character search from {dict}
setcmdpos({pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
setcursorcharpos({list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
setenv({name}, {val}) none set environment variable
setfperm({fname}, {mode}) Number set {fname} file permissions to {mode}
setline({lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}])
Number modify location list using {list}
setloclist({nr}, {list}, {action}, {what})
Number modify specific location list props
setmatches({list} [, {win}]) Number restore a list of matches
setpos({expr}, {list}) Number set the {expr} position to {list}
setqflist({list} [, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
setqflist({list}, {action}, {what})
Number modify specific quickfix list props
setreg({n}, {v} [, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
settabvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) none set {varname} in tab page {nr} to {val}
settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val})
none set {varname} in window {winnr} in tab
page {tabnr} to {val}
settagstack({nr}, {dict} [, {action}])
Number modify tag stack using {dict}
setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) none set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
sha256({string}) String SHA256 checksum of {string}
shellescape({string} [, {special}])
String escape {string} for use as shell
command argument
shiftwidth([{col}]) Number effective value of 'shiftwidth'
sign_define({name} [, {dict}]) Number define or update a sign
sign_define({list}) List define or update a list of signs
sign_getdefined([{name}]) List get a list of defined signs
sign_getplaced([{expr} [, {dict}]])
List get a list of placed signs
sign_jump({id}, {group}, {expr})
Number jump to a sign
sign_place({id}, {group}, {name}, {expr} [, {dict}])
Number place a sign
sign_placelist({list}) List place a list of signs
sign_undefine([{name}]) Number undefine a sign
sign_undefine({list}) List undefine a list of signs
sign_unplace({group} [, {dict}])
Number unplace a sign
sign_unplacelist({list}) List unplace a list of signs
simplify({filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
sin({expr}) Float sine of {expr}
sinh({expr}) Float hyperbolic sine of {expr}
slice({expr}, {start} [, {end}]) String, List or Blob
slice of a String, List or Blob
sort({list} [, {func} [, {dict}]])
List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
sound_clear() none stop playing all sounds
sound_playevent({name} [, {callback}])
Number play an event sound
sound_playfile({path} [, {callback}])
Number play sound file {path}
sound_stop({id}) none stop playing sound {id}
soundfold({word}) String sound-fold {word}
spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
List spelling suggestions
split({expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
List make List from {pat} separated {expr}
sqrt({expr}) Float square root of {expr}
srand([{expr}]) List get seed for rand()
state([{what}]) String current state of Vim
str2float({expr}) Float convert String to Float
str2list({expr} [, {utf8}]) List convert each character of {expr} to
ASCII/UTF8 value
str2nr({expr} [, {base} [, {quoted}]])
Number convert String to Number
strcharlen({expr}) Number character length of the String {expr}
strcharpart({str}, {start} [, {len} [, {skipcc}]])
String {len} characters of {str} at
character {start}
strchars({expr} [, {skipcc}]) Number character count of the String {expr}
strdisplaywidth({expr} [, {col}]) Number display length of the String {expr}
strftime({format} [, {time}]) String format time with a specified format
strgetchar({str}, {index}) Number get char {index} from {str}
stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
string({expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
strlen({expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
strpart({str}, {start} [, {len} [, {chars}]])
String {len} bytes/chars of {str} at
byte {start}
strptime({format}, {timestring})
Number Convert {timestring} to unix timestamp
strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
strtrans({expr}) String translate string to make it printable
strwidth({expr}) Number display cell length of the String {expr}
submatch({nr} [, {list}]) String or List
specific match in ":s" or substitute()
substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
swapinfo({fname}) Dict information about swap file {fname}
swapname({expr}) String swap file of buffer {expr}
synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
synIDtrans({synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
synconcealed({lnum}, {col}) List info about concealing
synstack({lnum}, {col}) List stack of syntax IDs at {lnum} and {col}
system({expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
systemlist({expr} [, {input}]) List output of shell command/filter {expr}
tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
tabpagenr([{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
tabpagewinnr({tabarg} [, {arg}]) Number number of current window in tab page
tagfiles() List tags files used
taglist({expr} [, {filename}]) List list of tags matching {expr}
tan({expr}) Float tangent of {expr}
tanh({expr}) Float hyperbolic tangent of {expr}
tempname() String name for a temporary file
term_dumpdiff({filename}, {filename} [, {options}])
Number display difference between two dumps
term_dumpload({filename} [, {options}])
Number displaying a screen dump
term_dumpwrite({buf}, {filename} [, {options}])
none dump terminal window contents
term_getaltscreen({buf}) Number get the alternate screen flag
term_getansicolors({buf}) List get ANSI palette in GUI color mode
term_getattr({attr}, {what}) Number get the value of attribute {what}
term_getcursor({buf}) List get the cursor position of a terminal
term_getjob({buf}) Job get the job associated with a terminal
term_getline({buf}, {row}) String get a line of text from a terminal
term_getscrolled({buf}) Number get the scroll count of a terminal
term_getsize({buf}) List get the size of a terminal
term_getstatus({buf}) String get the status of a terminal
term_gettitle({buf}) String get the title of a terminal
term_gettty({buf}, [{input}]) String get the tty name of a terminal
term_list() List get the list of terminal buffers
term_scrape({buf}, {row}) List get row of a terminal screen
term_sendkeys({buf}, {keys}) none send keystrokes to a terminal
term_setansicolors({buf}, {colors})
none set ANSI palette in GUI color mode
term_setapi({buf}, {expr}) none set terminal-api function name prefix
term_setkill({buf}, {how}) none set signal to stop job in terminal
term_setrestore({buf}, {command}) none set command to restore terminal
term_setsize({buf}, {rows}, {cols})
none set the size of a terminal
term_start({cmd} [, {options}]) Number open a terminal window and run a job
term_wait({buf} [, {time}]) Number wait for screen to be updated
terminalprops() Dict properties of the terminal
test_alloc_fail({id}, {countdown}, {repeat})
none make memory allocation fail
test_autochdir() none enable 'autochdir' during startup
test_feedinput({string}) none add key sequence to input buffer
test_garbagecollect_now() none free memory right now for testing
test_garbagecollect_soon() none free memory soon for testing
test_getvalue({string}) any get value of an internal variable
test_gui_drop_files({list}, {row}, {col}, {mods})
none drop a list of files in a window
test_gui_mouse_event({button}, {row}, {col}, {repeated}, {mods})
none add a mouse event to the input buffer
test_ignore_error({expr}) none ignore a specific error
test_null_blob() Blob null value for testing
test_null_channel() Channel null value for testing
test_null_dict() Dict null value for testing
test_null_function() Funcref null value for testing
test_null_job() Job null value for testing
test_null_list() List null value for testing
test_null_partial() Funcref null value for testing
test_null_string() String null value for testing
test_option_not_set({name}) none reset flag indicating option was set
test_override({expr}, {val}) none test with Vim internal overrides
test_refcount({expr}) Number get the reference count of {expr}
test_scrollbar({which}, {value}, {dragging})
none scroll in the GUI for testing
test_setmouse({row}, {col}) none set the mouse position for testing
test_settime({expr}) none set current time for testing
test_srand_seed([seed]) none set seed for testing srand()
test_unknown() any unknown value for testing
test_void() any void value for testing
timer_info([{id}]) List information about timers
timer_pause({id}, {pause}) none pause or unpause a timer
timer_start({time}, {callback} [, {options}])
Number create a timer
timer_stop({timer}) none stop a timer
timer_stopall() none stop all timers
tolower({expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
toupper({expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
to chars in {tostr}
trim({text} [, {mask} [, {dir}]])
String trim characters in {mask} from {text}
trunc({expr}) Float truncate Float {expr}
type({expr}) Number type of value {expr}
typename({expr}) String representation of the type of {expr}
undofile({name}) String undo file name for {name}
undotree() List undo file tree
uniq({list} [, {func} [, {dict}]])
List remove adjacent duplicates from a list
values({dict}) List values in {dict}
virtcol({expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
visualmode([expr]) String last visual mode used
wildmenumode() Number whether 'wildmenu' mode is active
win_execute({id}, {command} [, {silent}])
String execute {command} in window {id}
win_findbuf({bufnr}) List find windows containing {bufnr}
win_getid([{win} [, {tab}]]) Number get window ID for {win} in {tab}
win_gettype([{nr}]) String type of window {nr}
win_gotoid({expr}) Number go to window with ID {expr}
win_id2tabwin({expr}) List get tab and window nr from window ID
win_id2win({expr}) Number get window nr from window ID
win_screenpos({nr}) List get screen position of window {nr}
win_splitmove({nr}, {target} [, {options}])
Number move window {nr} to split of {target}
winbufnr({nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
wincol() Number window column of the cursor
windowsversion() String MS-Windows OS version
winheight({nr}) Number height of window {nr}
winlayout([{tabnr}]) List layout of windows in tab {tabnr}
winline() Number window line of the cursor
winnr([{expr}]) Number number of current window
winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
winrestview({dict}) none restore view of current window
winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
winwidth({nr}) Number width of window {nr}
wordcount() Dict get byte/char/word statistics
writefile({object}, {fname} [, {flags}])
Number write Blob or List of lines to file
xor({expr}, {expr}) Number bitwise XOR
abs({expr}) abs()
Return the absolute value of {expr}. When {expr} evaluates to
a Float abs() returns a Float. When {expr} can be
converted to a Number abs() returns a Number. Otherwise
abs() gives an error message and returns -1.
Examples:
echo abs(1.456)
1.456
echo abs(-5.456)
5.456
echo abs(-4)
4
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->abs()
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
acos({expr}) acos()
Return the arc cosine of {expr} measured in radians, as a
Float in the range of [0, pi].
{expr} must evaluate to a Float or a Number in the range
[-1, 1].
Examples:
:echo acos(0)
1.570796
:echo acos(-0.5)
2.094395
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->acos()
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
add({object}, {expr}) add()
Append the item {expr} to List or Blob {object}. Returns
the resulting List or Blob. Examples:
:let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
:call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Note that when {expr} is a List it is appended as a single
item. Use extend() to concatenate Lists.
When {object} is a Blob then {expr} must be a number.
Use insert() to add an item at another position.
Can also be used as a method:
mylist->add(val1)->add(val2)
and({expr}, {expr}) and()
Bitwise AND on the two arguments. The arguments are converted
to a number. A List, Dict or Float argument causes an error.
Example:
:let flag = and(bits, 0x80)
Can also be used as a method:
:let flag = bits->and(0x80)
append({lnum}, {text}) append()
When {text} is a List: Append each item of the List as a
text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Otherwise append {text} as one text line below line {lnum} in
the current buffer.
Any type of item is accepted and converted to a String.
{lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
{lnum} is used like with getline().
Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
0 for success. Example:
:let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
:let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Can also be used as a method after a List, the base is
passed as the second argument:
mylist->append(lnum)
appendbufline({expr}, {lnum}, {text}) appendbufline()
Like append() but append the text in buffer {expr}.
This function works only for loaded buffers. First call
bufload() if needed.
For the use of {expr}, see bufname().
{lnum} is used like with append(). Note that using line()
would use the current buffer, not the one appending to.
Use "$" to append at the end of the buffer.
On success 0 is returned, on failure 1 is returned.
If {expr} is not a valid buffer or {lnum} is not valid, an
error message is given. Example:
:let failed = appendbufline(13, 0, "# THE START")
Can also be used as a method after a List, the base is
passed as the second argument:
mylist->appendbufline(buf, lnum)
argc([{winid}]) argc()
The result is the number of files in the argument list. See
arglist.
If {winid} is not supplied, the argument list of the current
window is used.
If {winid} is -1, the global argument list is used.
Otherwise {winid} specifies the window of which the argument
list is used: either the window number or the window ID.
Returns -1 if the {winid} argument is invalid.
argidx()
argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See arglist.
arglistid()
arglistid([{winnr} [, {tabnr}]])
Return the argument list ID. This is a number which
identifies the argument list being used. Zero is used for the
global argument list. See arglist.
Returns -1 if the arguments are invalid.
Without arguments use the current window.
With {winnr} only use this window in the current tab page.
With {winnr} and {tabnr} use the window in the specified tab
page.
{winnr} can be the window number or the window-ID.
argv()
argv([{nr} [, {winid}]])
The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list. See
arglist. "argv(0)" is the first one. Example:
:let i = 0
:while i < argc()
: let f = escape(fnameescape(argv(i)), '.')
: exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
: let i = i + 1
:endwhile
Without the {nr} argument, or when {nr} is -1, a List with
the whole arglist is returned.
The {winid} argument specifies the window ID, see argc().
For the Vim command line arguments see v:argv.
asin({expr}) asin()
Return the arc sine of {expr} measured in radians, as a Float
in the range of [-pi/2, pi/2].
{expr} must evaluate to a Float or a Number in the range
[-1, 1].
Examples:
:echo asin(0.8)
0.927295
:echo asin(-0.5)
-0.523599
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->asin()
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
assert_ functions are documented here: assert-functions-details
atan({expr}) atan()
Return the principal value of the arc tangent of {expr}, in
the range [-pi/2, +pi/2] radians, as a Float.
{expr} must evaluate to a Float or a Number.
Examples:
:echo atan(100)
1.560797
:echo atan(-4.01)
-1.326405
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->atan()
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
atan2({expr1}, {expr2}) atan2()
Return the arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}, measured in
radians, as a Float in the range [-pi, pi].
{expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a Float or a Number.
Examples:
:echo atan2(-1, 1)
-0.785398
:echo atan2(1, -1)
2.356194
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->atan(1)
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
balloon_gettext() balloon_gettext()
Return the current text in the balloon. Only for the string,
not used for the List.
balloon_show({expr}) balloon_show()
Show {expr} inside the balloon. For the GUI {expr} is used as
a string. For a terminal {expr} can be a list, which contains
the lines of the balloon. If {expr} is not a list it will be
split with balloon_split().
If {expr} is an empty string any existing balloon is removed.
Example:
func GetBalloonContent()
" ... initiate getting the content
return ''
endfunc
set balloonexpr=GetBalloonContent()
func BalloonCallback(result)
call balloon_show(a:result)
endfunc
Can also be used as a method:
GetText()->balloon_show()
The intended use is that fetching the content of the balloon
is initiated from 'balloonexpr'. It will invoke an
asynchronous method, in which a callback invokes
balloon_show(). The 'balloonexpr' itself can return an
empty string or a placeholder.
When showing a balloon is not possible nothing happens, no
error message.
{only available when compiled with the +balloon_eval or
+balloon_eval_term feature}
balloon_split({msg}) balloon_split()
Split {msg} into lines to be displayed in a balloon. The
splits are made for the current window size and optimize to
show debugger output.
Returns a List with the split lines.
Can also be used as a method:
GetText()->balloon_split()->balloon_show()
{only available when compiled with the +balloon_eval_term
feature}
browse()
browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
returns TRUE (only in some GUI versions).
The input fields are:
{save} when TRUE, select file to write
{title} title for the requester
{initdir} directory to start browsing in
{default} default file name
An empty string is returned when the "Cancel" button is hit,
something went wrong, or browsing is not possible.
browsedir()
browsedir({title}, {initdir})
Put up a directory requester. This only works when
"has("browse")" returns TRUE (only in some GUI versions).
On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
to be used.
The input fields are:
{title} title for the requester
{initdir} directory to start browsing in
When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
bufadd({name}) bufadd()
Add a buffer to the buffer list with {name}.
If a buffer for file {name} already exists, return that buffer
number. Otherwise return the buffer number of the newly
created buffer. When {name} is an empty string then a new
buffer is always created.
The buffer will not have 'buflisted' set and not be loaded
yet. To add some text to the buffer use this:
let bufnr = bufadd('someName')
call bufload(bufnr)
call setbufline(bufnr, 1, ['some', 'text'])
Can also be used as a method:
let bufnr = 'somename'->bufadd()
bufexists({expr}) bufexists()
The result is a Number, which is TRUE if a buffer called
{expr} exists.
If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
exactly. The name can be:
- Relative to the current directory.
- A full path.
- The name of a buffer with 'buftype' set to "nofile".
- A URL name.
Unlisted buffers will be found.
Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
output of :buffers, but bufexists() requires using their
long name to be able to find them.
bufexists() may report a buffer exists, but to use the name
with a :buffer command you may need to use expand(). Esp
for MS-Windows 8.3 names in the form "c:\DOCUME~1"
Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
file name.
Can also be used as a method:
let exists = 'somename'->bufexists()
Obsolete name: buffer_exists(). buffer_exists()
buflisted({expr}) buflisted()
The result is a Number, which is TRUE if a buffer called
{expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
The {expr} argument is used like with bufexists().
Can also be used as a method:
let listed = 'somename'->buflisted()
bufload({expr}) bufload()
Ensure the buffer {expr} is loaded. When the buffer name
refers to an existing file then the file is read. Otherwise
the buffer will be empty. If the buffer was already loaded
then there is no change.
If there is an existing swap file for the file of the buffer,
there will be no dialog, the buffer will be loaded anyway.
The {expr} argument is used like with bufexists().
Can also be used as a method:
eval 'somename'->bufload()
bufloaded({expr}) bufloaded()
The result is a Number, which is TRUE if a buffer called
{expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
The {expr} argument is used like with bufexists().
Can also be used as a method:
let loaded = 'somename'->bufloaded()
bufname([{expr}]) bufname()
The result is the name of a buffer. Mostly as it is displayed
by the :ls command, but not using special names such as
"[No Name]".
If {expr} is omitted the current buffer is used.
If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
If {expr} is a String, it is used as a file-pattern to match
with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
match an empty string is returned.
"" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
alternate buffer.
A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
or middle of the buffer name is accepted. If you only want a
full match then put "^" at the start and "$" at the end of the
pattern.
Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
buffers are searched for.
If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it:
:echo bufname("3" + 0)
Can also be used as a method:
echo bufnr->bufname()
If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
string is returned.
bufname("#") alternate buffer name
bufname(3) name of buffer 3
bufname("%") name of current buffer
bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
buffer_name()
Obsolete name: buffer_name().
bufnr()
bufnr([{expr} [, {create}]])
The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
the :ls command. For the use of {expr}, see bufname()
above.
If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
{create} argument is present and TRUE, a new, unlisted,
buffer is created and its number is returned. Example:
let newbuf = bufnr('Scratch001', 1)
Using an empty name uses the current buffer. To create a new
buffer with an empty name use bufadd().
bufnr("$") is the last buffer:
:let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
Can also be used as a method:
echo bufref->bufnr()
Obsolete name: buffer_number(). buffer_number()
last_buffer_nr()
Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
bufwinid({expr}) bufwinid()
The result is a Number, which is the window-ID of the first
window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
see bufname() above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example:
echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinid(1))
Only deals with the current tab page.
Can also be used as a method:
FindBuffer()->bufwinid()
bufwinnr({expr}) bufwinnr()
Like bufwinid() but return the window number instead of the
window-ID.
If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or there is no such window, -1
is returned. Example:
echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
The number can be used with CTRL-W_w and ":wincmd w"
:wincmd.
Can also be used as a method:
FindBuffer()->bufwinnr()
byte2line({byte}) byte2line()
Return the line number that contains the character at byte
count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
one.
Also see line2byte(), go and :goto.
Can also be used as a method:
GetOffset()->byte2line()
{not available when compiled without the +byte_offset
feature}
byteidx({expr}, {nr}) byteidx()
Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
{expr}. Use zero for the first character, it then returns
zero.
If there are no multibyte characters the returned value is
equal to {nr}.
Composing characters are not counted separately, their byte
length is added to the preceding base character. See
byteidxcomp() below for counting composing characters
separately.
Example :
echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
same:
let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
Also see strgetchar() and strcharpart().
If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
in bytes is returned.
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->byteidx(idx)
byteidxcomp({expr}, {nr}) byteidxcomp()
Like byteidx(), except that a composing character is counted
as a separate character. Example:
let s = 'e' . nr2char(0x301)
echo byteidx(s, 1)
echo byteidxcomp(s, 1)
echo byteidxcomp(s, 2)
The first and third echo result in 3 ('e' plus composing
character is 3 bytes), the second echo results in 1 ('e' is
one byte).
Only works differently from byteidx() when 'encoding' is set
to a Unicode encoding.
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->byteidxcomp(idx)
call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) call() E699
Call function {func} with the items in List {arglist} as
arguments.
{func} can either be a Funcref or the name of a function.
a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
Returns the return value of the called function.
{dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
used to set the local variable "self". Dictionary-function
Can also be used as a method:
GetFunc()->call([arg, arg], dict)
ceil({expr}) ceil()
Return the smallest integral value greater than or equal to
{expr} as a Float (round up).
{expr} must evaluate to a Float or a Number.
Examples:
echo ceil(1.456)
2.0
echo ceil(-5.456)
-5.0
echo ceil(4.0)
4.0
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->ceil()
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
ch_ functions are documented here: channel-functions-details
changenr() changenr()
Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
number as what is displayed with :undolist and can be used
with the :undo command.
When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
one less than the number of the undone change.
char2nr({expr} [, {utf8}]) char2nr()
Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples:
char2nr(" ") returns 32
char2nr("ABC") returns 65
When {utf8} is omitted or zero, the current 'encoding' is used.
Example for "utf-8":
char2nr("á") returns 225
char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
With {utf8} set to TRUE, always treat as utf-8 characters.
A combining character is a separate character.
nr2char() does the opposite.
To turn a string into a list of character numbers:
let str = "ABC"
let list = map(split(str, '\zs'), {_, val -> char2nr(val)})
Result: [65, 66, 67]
Can also be used as a method:
GetChar()->char2nr()
charclass({string}) charclass()
Return the character class of the first character in {string}.
The character class is one of:
0 blank
1 punctuation
2 word character
3 emoji
other specific Unicode class
The class is used in patterns and word motions.
charcol()
charcol({expr}) Same as col() but returns the character index of the column
position given with {expr} instead of the byte position.
Example:
With the cursor on '세' in line 5 with text "여보세요":
charcol('.') returns 3
col('.') returns 7
Can also be used as a method:
GetPos()->col()
charidx()
charidx({string}, {idx} [, {countcc}])
Return the character index of the byte at {idx} in {string}.
The index of the first character is zero.
If there are no multibyte characters the returned value is
equal to {idx}.
When {countcc} is omitted or FALSE, then composing characters
are not counted separately, their byte length is
added to the preceding base character.
When {countcc} is TRUE, then composing characters are
counted as separate characters.
Returns -1 if the arguments are invalid or if {idx} is greater
than the index of the last byte in {string}. An error is
given if the first argument is not a string, the second
argument is not a number or when the third argument is present
and is not zero or one.
See byteidx() and byteidxcomp() for getting the byte index
from the character index.
Examples:
echo charidx('áb́ć', 3) returns 1
echo charidx('áb́ć', 6, 1) returns 4
echo charidx('áb́ć', 16) returns -1
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->charidx(idx)
chdir({dir}) chdir()
Change the current working directory to {dir}. The scope of
the directory change depends on the directory of the current
window:
- If the current window has a window-local directory
(:lcd), then changes the window local directory.
- Otherwise, if the current tabpage has a local
directory (:tcd) then changes the tabpage local
directory.
- Otherwise, changes the global directory.
{dir} must be a String.
If successful, returns the previous working directory. Pass
this to another chdir() to restore the directory.
On failure, returns an empty string.
Example:
let save_dir = chdir(newdir)
if save_dir != ""
" ... do some work
call chdir(save_dir)
endif
Can also be used as a method:
GetDir()->chdir()
cindent({lnum}) cindent()
Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
relevant. {lnum} is used just like in getline().
When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the +cindent
feature, -1 is returned.
See C-indenting.
Can also be used as a method:
GetLnum()->cindent()
clearmatches([{win}]) clearmatches()
Clears all matches previously defined for the current window
by matchadd() and the :match commands.
If {win} is specified, use the window with this number or
window ID instead of the current window.
Can also be used as a method:
GetWin()->clearmatches()
col()
col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
. the cursor position
$ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
number of bytes in the cursor line plus one)
'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
returned)
v In Visual mode: the start of the Visual area (the
cursor is the end). When not in Visual mode
returns the cursor position. Differs from '< in
that it's updated right away.
Additionally {expr} can be [lnum, col]: a List with the line
and column number. Most useful when the column is "$", to get
the last column of a specific line. When "lnum" or "col" is
out of range then col() returns zero.
To get the line number use line(). To get both use
getpos().
For the screen column position use virtcol(). For the
character position use charcol().
Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
Examples:
col(".") column of cursor
col("$") length of cursor line plus one
col("'t") column of mark t
col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
For an uppercase mark the column may actually be in another
buffer.
For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode:
:imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
\<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
\<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
\let &ve = save_ve<CR>
Can also be used as a method:
GetPos()->col()
complete({startcol}, {matches}) complete() E785
Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
with CTRL-R = (see i_CTRL-R). It does not work after CTRL-O
or with an expression mapping.
{startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
match.
{matches} must be a List. Each List item is one match.
See complete-items for the kind of items that are possible.
Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
inserting anything that would cause completion to stop.
The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
specified, see ins-completion-menu.
Example:
inoremap <F5> <C-R>=ListMonths()<CR>
func! ListMonths()
call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
\ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
\ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
return ''
endfunc
This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
Can also be used as a method, the base is passed as the
second argument:
GetMatches()->complete(col('.'))
complete_add({expr}) complete_add()
Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
the list.
See complete-functions for an explanation of {expr}. It is
the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Can also be used as a method:
GetMoreMatches()->complete_add()
complete_check() complete_check()
Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
Returns TRUE when searching for matches is to be aborted,
zero otherwise.
Only to be used by the function specified with the
'completefunc' option.
complete_info()
complete_info([{what}])
Returns a Dictionary with information about Insert mode
completion. See ins-completion.
The items are:
mode Current completion mode name string.
See complete_info_mode for the values.
pum_visible TRUE if popup menu is visible.
See pumvisible().
items List of completion matches. Each item is a
dictionary containing the entries "word",
"abbr", "menu", "kind", "info" and "user_data".
See complete-items.
selected Selected item index. First index is zero.
Index is -1 if no item is selected (showing
typed text only, or the last completion after
no item is selected when using the <Up> or
<Down> keys)
inserted Inserted string. [NOT IMPLEMENT YET]
complete_info_mode
mode values are:
"" Not in completion mode
"keyword" Keyword completion i_CTRL-X_CTRL-N
"ctrl_x" Just pressed CTRL-X i_CTRL-X
"whole_line" Whole lines i_CTRL-X_CTRL-L
"files" File names i_CTRL-X_CTRL-F
"tags" Tags i_CTRL-X_CTRL-]
"path_defines" Definition completion i_CTRL-X_CTRL-D
"path_patterns" Include completion i_CTRL-X_CTRL-I
"dictionary" Dictionary i_CTRL-X_CTRL-K
"thesaurus" Thesaurus i_CTRL-X_CTRL-T
"cmdline" Vim Command line i_CTRL-X_CTRL-V
"function" User defined completion i_CTRL-X_CTRL-U
"omni" Omni completion i_CTRL-X_CTRL-O
"spell" Spelling suggestions i_CTRL-X_s
"eval" complete() completion
"unknown" Other internal modes
If the optional {what} list argument is supplied, then only
the items listed in {what} are returned. Unsupported items in
{what} are silently ignored.
To get the position and size of the popup menu, see
pum_getpos(). It's also available in v:event during the
CompleteChanged event.
Examples:
" Get all items
call complete_info()
" Get only 'mode'
call complete_info(['mode'])
" Get only 'mode' and 'pum_visible'
call complete_info(['mode', 'pum_visible'])
Can also be used as a method:
GetItems()->complete_info()
confirm()
confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
choice this is 1.
Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
support, see +dialog_con and +dialog_gui.
{msg} is displayed in a dialog with {choices} as the
alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
used (and translated).
{msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
{choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
by '\n', e.g.
confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
not need to be the first letter:
confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
the default shortcut key. Case is ignored.
The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
{default} is omitted, 1 is used.
The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
is only used for the icon of the GTK, Mac, Motif and Win32
GUI. It can be one of these values: "Error", "Question",
"Info", "Warning" or "Generic". Only the first character is
relevant. When {type} is omitted, "Generic" is used.
If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
An example:
:let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
:if choice == 0
: echo "make up your mind!"
:elseif choice == 3
: echo "tasteful"
:else
: echo "I prefer bananas myself."
:endif
In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
the horizontal layout is always used.
Can also be used as a methodin:
BuildMessage()->confirm("&Yes\n&No")
copy()
copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
different from using {expr} directly.
When {expr} is a List a shallow copy is created. This means
that the original List can be changed without changing the
copy, and vice versa. But the items are identical, thus
changing an item changes the contents of both Lists.
A Dictionary is copied in a similar way as a List.
Also see deepcopy().
Can also be used as a method:
mylist->copy()
cos({expr}) cos()
Return the cosine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a Float.
{expr} must evaluate to a Float or a Number.
Examples:
:echo cos(100)
0.862319
:echo cos(-4.01)
-0.646043
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->cos()
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
cosh({expr}) cosh()
Return the hyperbolic cosine of {expr} as a Float in the range
[1, inf].
{expr} must evaluate to a Float or a Number.
Examples:
:echo cosh(0.5)
1.127626
:echo cosh(-0.5)
-1.127626
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->cosh()
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) count()
Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
in String, List or Dictionary {comp}.
If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
{start} can only be used with a List.
When {ic} is given and it's TRUE then case is ignored.
When {comp} is a string then the number of not overlapping
occurrences of {expr} is returned. Zero is returned when
{expr} is an empty string.
Can also be used as a method:
mylist->count(val)
cscope_connection()
cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
Checks for the existence of a cscope connection. If no
parameters are specified, then the function returns:
0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
if there are no cscope connections;
1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
{num} Description of existence check
----- ------------------------------
0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
{dbpath}.
2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
{dbpath}.
3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
{dbpath} and {prepend}.
4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
{dbpath} and {prepend}.
Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"):
# pid database name prepend path
0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
Invocation Return Val
---------- ----------
cscope_connection() 1
cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) cursor()
cursor({list})
Positions the cursor at the column (byte count) {col} in the
line {lnum}. The first column is one.
When there is one argument {list} this is used as a List
with two, three or four item:
[{lnum}, {col}]
[{lnum}, {col}, {off}]
[{lnum}, {col}, {off}, {curswant}]
This is like the return value of getpos() or getcurpos(),
but without the first item.
To position the cursor using the character count, use
setcursorcharpos().
Does not change the jumplist.
{lnum} is used like with getline().
If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
line.
If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
If {curswant} is given it is used to set the preferred column
for vertical movement. Otherwise {col} is used.
When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
position within a <Tab> or after the last character.
Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
Can also be used as a method:
GetCursorPos()->cursor()
debugbreak({pid}) debugbreak()
Specifically used to interrupt a program being debugged. It
will cause process {pid} to get a SIGTRAP. Behavior for other
processes is undefined. See terminal-debugger.
{only available on MS-Windows}
Can also be used as a method:
GetPid()->debugbreak()
deepcopy({expr} [, {noref}]) deepcopy() E698
Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
different from using {expr} directly.
When {expr} is a List a full copy is created. This means
that the original List can be changed without changing the
copy, and vice versa. When an item is a List or
Dictionary, a copy for it is made, recursively. Thus
changing an item in the copy does not change the contents of
the original List.
A Dictionary is copied in a similar way as a List.
When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained List or
Dictionary is only copied once. All references point to
this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
List or Dictionary results in a new copy. This also means
that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
E724
Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
{noref} set to 1 will fail.
Also see copy().
Can also be used as a method:
GetObject()->deepcopy()
delete({fname} [, {flags}]) delete()
Without {flags} or with {flags} empty: Deletes the file by the
name {fname}. This also works when {fname} is a symbolic link.
When {flags} is "d": Deletes the directory by the name
{fname}. This fails when directory {fname} is not empty.
When {flags} is "rf": Deletes the directory by the name
{fname} and everything in it, recursively. BE CAREFUL!
Note: on MS-Windows it is not possible to delete a directory
that is being used.
A symbolic link itself is deleted, not what it points to.
The result is a Number, which is 0/false if the delete
operation was successful and -1/true when the deletion failed
or partly failed.
Use remove() to delete an item from a List.
To delete a line from the buffer use :delete or
deletebufline().
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->delete()
deletebufline({expr}, {first} [, {last}]) deletebufline()
Delete lines {first} to {last} (inclusive) from buffer {expr}.
If {last} is omitted then delete line {first} only.
On success 0 is returned, on failure 1 is returned.
This function works only for loaded buffers. First call
bufload() if needed.
For the use of {expr}, see bufname() above.
{first} and {last} are used like with getline(). Note that
when using line() this refers to the current buffer. Use "$"
to refer to the last line in buffer {expr}.
Can also be used as a method:
GetBuffer()->deletebufline(1)
did_filetype()
did_filetype() Returns TRUE when autocommands are being executed and the
FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
that detect the file type. FileType
Returns FALSE when `:setf FALLBACK` was used.
When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
file.
diff_filler({lnum}) diff_filler()
Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
display but don't exist in the buffer.
{lnum} is used like with getline(). Thus "." is the current
line, "'m" mark m, etc.
Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
Can also be used as a method:
GetLnum()->diff_filler()
diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) diff_hlID()
Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
{col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
diff change zero is returned.
{lnum} is used like with getline(). Thus "." is the current
line, "'m" mark m, etc.
{col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
line.
The highlight ID can be used with synIDattr() to obtain
syntax information about the highlighting.
Can also be used as a method:
GetLnum()->diff_hlID(col)
digraph_get({chars}) digraph_get() E1214
Return the digraph of {chars}. This should be a string with
exactly two characters. If {chars} are not just two
characters, or the digraph of {chars} does not exist, an error
is given and an empty string is returned.
The character will be converted from Unicode to 'encoding'
when needed. This does require the conversion to be
available, it might fail.
Also see digraph_getlist().
Examples:
" Get a built-in digraph
:echo digraph_get('00') " Returns '∞'
" Get a user-defined digraph
:call digraph_set('aa', 'あ')
:echo digraph_get('aa') " Returns 'あ'
Can also be used as a method:
GetChars()->digraph_get()
This function works only when compiled with the +digraphs
feature. If this feature is disabled, this function will
display an error message.
digraph_getlist([{listall}]) digraph_getlist()
Return a list of digraphs. If the {listall} argument is given
and it is TRUE, return all digraphs, including the default
digraphs. Otherwise, return only user-defined digraphs.
The characters will be converted from Unicode to 'encoding'
when needed. This does require the conservation to be
available, it might fail.
Also see digraph_get().
Examples:
" Get user-defined digraphs
:echo digraph_getlist()
" Get all the digraphs, including default digraphs
:echo digraph_getlist(1)
Can also be used as a method:
GetNumber()->digraph_getlist()
This function works only when compiled with the +digraphs
feature. If this feature is disabled, this function will
display an error message.
digraph_set({chars}, {digraph}) digraph_set() E1205
Add digraph {chars} to the list. {chars} must be a string
with two characters. {digraph} is a string with one utf-8
encoded character. Be careful, composing characters are NOT
ignored. This function is similar to :digraphs command, but
useful to add digraphs start with a white space.
The function result is v:true if digraph is registered. If
this fails an error message is given and v:false is returned.
If you want to define multiple digraphs at once, you can use
digraph_setlist().
Example:
call digraph_set(' ', 'あ')
Can be used as a method:
GetString()->digraph_set('あ')
This function works only when compiled with the +digraphs
feature. If this feature is disabled, this function will
display an error message.
digraph_setlist({digraphlist}) digraph_setlist()
Similar to digraph_set() but this function can add multiple
digraphs at once. {digraphlist} is a list composed of lists,
where each list contains two strings with {chars} and
{digraph} as in digraph_set().
Example:
call digraph_setlist([['aa', 'あ'], ['ii', 'い']])
It is similar to the following:
for [chars, digraph] in [['aa', 'あ'], ['ii', 'い']]
call digraph_set(chars, digraph)
endfor
Except that the function returns after the first error,
following digraphs will not be added.
Can be used as a method:
GetList()->digraph_setlist()
This function works only when compiled with the +digraphs
feature. If this feature is disabled, this function will
display an error message.
echoraw({expr}) echoraw()
Output {expr} as-is, including unprintable characters. This
can be used to output a terminal code. For example, to disable
modifyOtherKeys:
call echoraw(&t_TE)
and to enable it again:
call echoraw(&t_TI)
Use with care, you can mess up the terminal this way.
empty({expr}) empty()
Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
- A List or Dictionary is empty when it does not have any
items.
- A String is empty when its length is zero.
- A Number and Float are empty when their value is zero.
- v:false, v:none and v:null are empty, v:true is not.
- A Job is empty when it failed to start.
- A Channel is empty when it is closed.
- A Blob is empty when its length is zero.
For a long List this is much faster than comparing the
length with zero.
Can also be used as a method:
mylist->empty()
environ() environ()
Return all of environment variables as dictionary. You can
check if an environment variable exists like this:
:echo has_key(environ(), 'HOME')
Note that the variable name may be CamelCase; to ignore case
use this:
:echo index(keys(environ()), 'HOME', 0, 1) != -1
escape({string}, {chars}) escape()
Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
backslash. Example:
:echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
results in:
c:\\program\ files\\vim
Also see shellescape() and fnameescape().
Can also be used as a method:
GetText()->escape(' \')
eval()
eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
turn the result of string() back into the original value.
This works for Numbers, Floats, Strings, Blobs and composites
of them. Also works for Funcrefs that refer to existing
functions.
Can also be used as a method:
argv->join()->eval()
eventhandler() eventhandler()
Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
executable({expr}) executable()
This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
arguments.
executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
searchpath for programs. PATHEXT
On MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can optionally be
included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are tried. Thus if
"foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be found. If
$PATHEXT is not set then ".com;.exe;.bat;.cmd" is used. A dot
by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using the name
without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a Unix shell,
then the name is also tried without adding an extension.
On MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and is not a
directory, not if it's really executable.
On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
should also work to execute it win32-PATH.
The result is a Number:
1 exists
0 does not exist
-1 not implemented on this system
exepath() can be used to get the full path of an executable.
Can also be used as a method:
GetCommand()->executable()
execute({command} [, {silent}]) execute()
Execute an Ex command or commands and return the output as a
string.
{command} can be a string or a List. In case of a List the
lines are executed one by one.
This is equivalent to:
redir => var
{command}
redir END
The optional {silent} argument can have these values:
"" no :silent used
"silent" :silent used
"silent!" :silent! used
The default is "silent". Note that with "silent!", unlike
:redir, error messages are dropped. When using an external
command the screen may be messed up, use system() instead.
E930
It is not possible to use :redir anywhere in {command}.
To get a list of lines use split() on the result:
split(execute('args'), "\n")
To execute a command in another window than the current one
use win_execute().
When used recursively the output of the recursive call is not
included in the output of the higher level call.
Can also be used as a method:
GetCommand()->execute()
exepath({expr}) exepath()
If {expr} is an executable and is either an absolute path, a
relative path or found in $PATH, return the full path.
Note that the current directory is used when {expr} starts
with "./", which may be a problem for Vim:
echo exepath(v:progpath)
If {expr} cannot be found in $PATH or is not executable then
an empty string is returned.
Can also be used as a method:
GetCommand()->exepath()
exists()
exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is TRUE if {expr} is defined,
zero otherwise.
Note: In a compiled :def function local variables and
arguments are not visible to exists().
For checking for a supported feature use has().
For checking if a file exists use filereadable().
The {expr} argument is a string, which contains one of these:
&option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
not if it really works)
+option-name Vim option that works.
$ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
done by comparing with an empty
string)
*funcname built-in function (see functions)
or user defined function (see
user-functions) that is implemented.
Also works for a variable that is a
Funcref.
?funcname built-in function that could be
implemented; to be used to check if
"funcname" is valid
varname internal variable (see
internal-variables). Also works
for curly-braces-names, Dictionary
entries, List items, etc.
Does not work for local variables in a
compiled :def function.
Beware that evaluating an index may
cause an error message for an invalid
expression. E.g.:
:let l = [1, 2, 3]
:echo exists("l[5]")
0
:echo exists("l[xx]")
E121: Undefined variable: xx
0
:cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
command or command modifier :command.
Returns:
1 for match with start of a command
2 full match with a command
3 matches several user commands
To check for a supported command
always check the return value to be 2.
:2match The :2match command.
:3match The :3match command.
#event autocommand defined for this event
#event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
pattern (the pattern is taken
literally and compared to the
autocommand patterns character by
character)
#group autocommand group exists
#group#event autocommand defined for this group and
event.
#group#event#pattern
autocommand defined for this group,
event and pattern.
##event autocommand for this event is
supported.
Examples:
exists("&shortname")
exists("$HOSTNAME")
exists("*strftime")
exists("*s:MyFunc")
exists("bufcount")
exists(":Make")
exists("#CursorHold")
exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
exists("#filetypeindent")
exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
exists("##ColorScheme")
There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
name.
There must be no extra characters after the name, although in
a few cases this is ignored. That may become more strict in
the future, thus don't count on it!
Working example:
exists(":make")
NOT working example:
exists(":make install")
Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
variable itself. For example:
exists(bufcount)
This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
but gets the value of "bufcount", and checks if that exists.
Can also be used as a method:
Varname()->exists()
exp({expr}) exp()
Return the exponential of {expr} as a Float in the range
[0, inf].
{expr} must evaluate to a Float or a Number.
Examples:
:echo exp(2)
7.389056
:echo exp(-1)
0.367879
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->exp()
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
expand({expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list}]]) expand()
Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
'wildignorecase' applies.
If {list} is given and it is TRUE, a List will be returned.
Otherwise the result is a String and when there are several
matches, they are separated by <NL> characters. [Note: in
version 5.0 a space was used, which caused problems when a
file name contains a space]
If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
for a non-existing file is not included, unless {expr} does
not start with '%', '#' or '<', see below.
When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
like for the cmdline-special variables with their associated
modifiers. Here is a short overview:
% current file name
# alternate file name
#n alternate file name n
<cfile> file name under the cursor
<afile> autocmd file name
<abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
<amatch> autocmd matched name
<cexpr> C expression under the cursor
<sfile> sourced script file or function name
<slnum> sourced script line number or function
line number
<sflnum> script file line number, also when in
a function
<SID> "<SNR>123_" where "123" is the
current script ID <SID>
<stack> call stack
<cword> word under the cursor
<cWORD> WORD under the cursor
<client> the {clientid} of the last received
message server2client()
Modifiers:
:p expand to full path
:h head (last path component removed)
:t tail (last path component only)
:r root (one extension removed)
:e extension only
Example:
:let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
'<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work:
:let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
Use this:
:let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
"~/" expanded into the path of the home directory:
:echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
There cannot be white space between the variables and the
following modifier. The fnamemodify() function can be used
to modify normal file names.
When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
'/' added.
When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
{nosuf} argument is given and it is TRUE.
Names for non-existing files are included. The "**" item can
be used to search in a directory tree. For example, to find
all "README" files in the current directory and below:
:echo expand("**/README")
expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
slow, because a shell may be used to do the expansion. See
expr-env-expand.
The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
"$FOOBAR".
See glob() for finding existing files. See system() for
getting the raw output of an external command.
Can also be used as a method:
Getpattern()->expand()
expandcmd({expr}) expandcmd()
Expand special items in {expr} like what is done for an Ex
command such as :edit. This expands special keywords, like
with expand(), and environment variables, anywhere in
{expr}. "~user" and "~/path" are only expanded at the start.
Returns the expanded string. Example:
:echo expandcmd('make %<.o')
Can also be used as a method:
GetCommand()->expandcmd()
extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) extend()
{expr1} and {expr2} must be both Lists or both
Dictionaries.
If they are Lists: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before the
item with index {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero
insert before the first item. When {expr3} is equal to
len({expr1}) then {expr2} is appended.
Examples:
:echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
:call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
When {expr1} is the same List as {expr2} then the number of
items copied is equal to the original length of the List.
E.g., when {expr3} is 1 you get N new copies of the first item
(where N is the original length of the List).
Use add() to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
two lists into a new list use the + operator:
:let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
If they are Dictionaries:
Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
used to decide what to do:
{expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
{expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
{expr3} = "error": give an error message E737
When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
{expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
make a copy of {expr1} first.
{expr2} remains unchanged.
When {expr1} is locked and {expr2} is not empty the operation
fails.
Returns {expr1}.
Can also be used as a method:
mylist->extend(otherlist)
extendnew({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) extendnew()
Like extend() but instead of adding items to {expr1} a new
List or Dictionary is created and returned. {expr1} remains
unchanged. Items can still be changed by {expr2}, if you
don't want that use deepcopy() first.
feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) feedkeys()
Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
come from a mapping or were typed by the user.
By default the string is added to the end of the typeahead
buffer, thus if a mapping is still being executed the
characters come after them. Use the 'i' flag to insert before
other characters, they will be executed next, before any
characters from a mapping.
The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
{string}.
To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
and "\..." notation expr-quote. For example,
feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the <Enter> key. But
feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
A special code that might be useful is <Ignore>, it exits the
wait for a character without doing anything. <Ignore>
{mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
'm' Remap keys. This is default. If {mode} is absent,
keys are remapped.
'n' Do not remap keys.
't' Handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
if coming from a mapping. This matters for undo,
opening folds, etc.
'L' Lowlevel input. Only works for Unix or when using the
GUI. Keys are used as if they were coming from the
terminal. Other flags are not used. E980
When a CTRL-C interrupts and 't' is included it sets
the internal "got_int" flag.
'i' Insert the string instead of appending (see above).
'x' Execute commands until typeahead is empty. This is
similar to using ":normal!". You can call feedkeys()
several times without 'x' and then one time with 'x'
(possibly with an empty {string}) to execute all the
typeahead. Note that when Vim ends in Insert mode it
will behave as if <Esc> is typed, to avoid getting
stuck, waiting for a character to be typed before the
script continues.
Note that if you manage to call feedkeys() while
executing commands, thus calling it recursively, then
all typeahead will be consumed by the last call.
'!' When used with 'x' will not end Insert mode. Can be
used in a test when a timer is set to exit Insert mode
a little later. Useful for testing CursorHoldI.
Return value is always 0.
Can also be used as a method:
GetInput()->feedkeys()
filereadable({file}) filereadable()
The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
expression, which is used as a String.
If you don't care about the file being readable you can use
glob().
{file} is used as-is, you may want to expand wildcards first:
echo filereadable('~/.vimrc')
0
echo filereadable(expand('~/.vimrc'))
1
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->filereadable()
file_readable()
Obsolete name: file_readable().
filewritable({file}) filewritable()
The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If {file} is a
directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->filewritable()
filter({expr1}, {expr2}) filter()
{expr1} must be a List, Blob or Dictionary.
For each item in {expr1} evaluate {expr2} and when the result
is zero remove the item from the List or Dictionary. For a
Blob each byte is removed.
{expr2} must be a string or Funcref.
If {expr2} is a string, inside {expr2} v:val has the value
of the current item. For a Dictionary v:key has the key
of the current item and for a List v:key has the index of
the current item. For a Blob v:key has the index of the
current byte.
Examples:
call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
Removes the items where "OLD" appears.
call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
Removes the items with a key below 8.
call filter(var, 0)
Removes all the items, thus clears the List or Dictionary.
Note that {expr2} is the result of expression and is then
used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
literal-string to avoid having to double backslashes.
If {expr2} is a Funcref it must take two arguments:
1. the key or the index of the current item.
2. the value of the current item.
The function must return TRUE if the item should be kept.
Example that keeps the odd items of a list:
func Odd(idx, val)
return a:idx % 2 == 1
endfunc
call filter(mylist, function('Odd'))
It is shorter when using a lambda:
call filter(myList, {idx, val -> idx * val <= 42})
If you do not use "val" you can leave it out:
call filter(myList, {idx -> idx % 2 == 1})
The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first:
:let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Returns {expr1}, the List , Blob or Dictionary that was
filtered. When an error is encountered while evaluating
{expr2} no further items in {expr1} are processed. When
{expr2} is a Funcref errors inside a function are ignored,
unless it was defined with the "abort" flag.
Can also be used as a method:
mylist->filter(expr2)
finddir({name} [, {path} [, {count}]]) finddir()
Find directory {name} in {path}. Supports both downwards and
upwards recursive directory searches. See file-searching
for the syntax of {path}.
Returns the path of the first found match. When the found
directory is below the current directory a relative path is
returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
{name} in {path} instead of the first one.
When {count} is negative return all the matches in a List.
This is quite similar to the ex-command :find.
{only available when compiled with the +file_in_path
feature}
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->finddir()
findfile({name} [, {path} [, {count}]]) findfile()
Just like finddir(), but find a file instead of a directory.
Uses 'suffixesadd'.
Example:
:echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
Searches from the directory of the current file upwards until
it finds the file "tags.vim".
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->findfile()
flatten({list} [, {maxdepth}]) flatten()
Flatten {list} up to {maxdepth} levels. Without {maxdepth}
the result is a List without nesting, as if {maxdepth} is
a very large number.
The {list} is changed in place, use flattennew() if you do
not want that.
In Vim9 script flatten() cannot be used, you must always use
flattennew().
E900
{maxdepth} means how deep in nested lists changes are made.
{list} is not modified when {maxdepth} is 0.
{maxdepth} must be positive number.
If there is an error the number zero is returned.
Example:
:echo flatten([1, [2, [3, 4]], 5])
[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
:echo flatten([1, [2, [3, 4]], 5], 1)
[1, 2, [3, 4], 5]
flattennew({list} [, {maxdepth}]) flattennew()
Like flatten() but first make a copy of {list}.
float2nr({expr}) float2nr()
Convert {expr} to a Number by omitting the part after the
decimal point.
{expr} must evaluate to a Float or a Number.
When the value of {expr} is out of range for a Number the
result is truncated to 0x7fffffff or -0x7fffffff (or when
64-bit Number support is enabled, 0x7fffffffffffffff or
-0x7fffffffffffffff). NaN results in -0x80000000 (or when
64-bit Number support is enabled, -0x8000000000000000).
Examples:
echo float2nr(3.95)
3
echo float2nr(-23.45)
-23
echo float2nr(1.0e100)
2147483647 (or 9223372036854775807)
echo float2nr(-1.0e150)
-2147483647 (or -9223372036854775807)
echo float2nr(1.0e-100)
0
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->float2nr()
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
floor({expr}) floor()
Return the largest integral value less than or equal to
{expr} as a Float (round down).
{expr} must evaluate to a Float or a Number.
Examples:
echo floor(1.856)
1.0
echo floor(-5.456)
-6.0
echo floor(4.0)
4.0
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->floor()
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
fmod({expr1}, {expr2}) fmod()
Return the remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}, even if the
division is not representable. Returns {expr1} - i * {expr2}
for some integer i such that if {expr2} is non-zero, the
result has the same sign as {expr1} and magnitude less than
the magnitude of {expr2}. If {expr2} is zero, the value
returned is zero. The value returned is a Float.
{expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a Float or a Number.
Examples:
:echo fmod(12.33, 1.22)
0.13
:echo fmod(-12.33, 1.22)
-0.13
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->fmod(1.22)
{only available when compiled with |+float| feature}
fnameescape({string}) fnameescape()
Escape {string} for use as file name command argument. All
characters that have a special meaning, such as '%' and '|'
are escaped with a backslash.
For most systems the characters escaped are
" \t\n*?[{`$\\%#'\"|!<". For systems where a backslash
appears in a filename, it depends on the value of 'isfname'.
A leading '+' and '>' is also escaped (special after :edit
and :write). And a "-" by itself (special after :cd).
Example:
:let fname = '+some str%nge|name'
:exe "edit " . fnameescape(fname)
results in executing:
edit \+some\ str\%nge\|name
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->fnameescape()
fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) fnamemodify()
Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
string of characters like it is used for file names on the
command line. See filename-modifiers.
Example:
:echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
results in:
/home/mool/vim/vim/src
If {mods} is empty then {fname} is returned.
Note: Environment variables don't work in {fname}, use
expand() first then.
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->fnamemodify(':p:h')
foldclosed({lnum}) foldclosed()
The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
{lnum} is used like with getline(). Thus "." is the current
line, "'m" mark m, etc.
Can also be used as a method:
GetLnum()->foldclosed()
foldclosedend({lnum}) foldclosedend()
The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
{lnum} is used like with getline(). Thus "." is the current
line, "'m" mark m, etc.
Can also be used as a method:
GetLnum()->foldclosedend()
foldlevel({lnum}) foldlevel()
The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
previous line is usually available.
{lnum} is used like with getline(). Thus "." is the current
line, "'m" mark m, etc.
Can also be used as a method:
GetLnum()->foldlevel()
foldtext()
foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
v:foldstart, v:foldend and v:folddashes variables.
The returned string looks like this:
+-- 45 lines: abcdef
The number of leading dashes depends on the foldlevel. The
"45" is the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text
in the first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space,
"//" or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and
'commentstring' options is removed.
When used to draw the actual foldtext, the rest of the line
will be filled with the fold char from the 'fillchars'
setting.
{not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
foldtextresult({lnum}) foldtextresult()
Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
{lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
returned.
{lnum} is used like with getline(). Thus "." is the current
line, "'m" mark m, etc.
Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
{not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
Can also be used as a method:
GetLnum()->foldtextresult()
foreground()
foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
a client to a Vim server. remote_send()
On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
remote_foreground() instead.
{only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
Win32 console version}
fullcommand({name}) fullcommand()
Get the full command name from a short abbreviated command
name; see 20.2 for details on command abbreviations.
{name} may start with a : and can include a [range], these
are skipped and not returned.
Returns an empty string if a command doesn't exist or if it's
ambiguous (for user-defined functions).
For example fullcommand('s'), fullcommand('sub'),
fullcommand(':%substitute') all return "substitute".
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->fullcommand()
funcref()
funcref({name} [, {arglist}] [, {dict}])
Just like function(), but the returned Funcref will lookup
the function by reference, not by name. This matters when the
function {name} is redefined later.
Unlike function(), {name} must be an existing user function.
Also for autoloaded functions. {name} cannot be a builtin
function.
Can also be used as a method:
GetFuncname()->funcref([arg])
function() partial E700 E922 E923
function({name} [, {arglist}] [, {dict}])
Return a Funcref variable that refers to function {name}.
{name} can be the name of a user defined function or an
internal function.
{name} can also be a Funcref or a partial. When it is a
partial the dict stored in it will be used and the {dict}
argument is not allowed. E.g.:
let FuncWithArg = function(dict.Func, [arg])
let Broken = function(dict.Func, [arg], dict)
When using the Funcref the function will be found by {name},
also when it was redefined later. Use funcref() to keep the
same function.
When {arglist} or {dict} is present this creates a partial.
That means the argument list and/or the dictionary is stored in
the Funcref and will be used when the Funcref is called.
The arguments are passed to the function in front of other
arguments, but after any argument from method. Example:
func Callback(arg1, arg2, name)
...
let Partial = function('Callback', ['one', 'two'])
...
call Partial('name')
Invokes the function as with:
call Callback('one', 'two', 'name')
With a method:
func Callback(one, two, three)
...
let Partial = function('Callback', ['two'])
...
eval 'one'->Partial('three')
Invokes the function as with:
call Callback('one', 'two', 'three')
The function() call can be nested to add more arguments to the
Funcref. The extra arguments are appended to the list of
arguments. Example:
func Callback(arg1, arg2, name)
...
let Func = function('Callback', ['one'])
let Func2 = function(Func, ['two'])
...
call Func2('name')
Invokes the function as with:
call Callback('one', 'two', 'name')
The Dictionary is only useful when calling a "dict" function.
In that case the {dict} is passed in as "self". Example:
function Callback() dict
echo "called for " . self.name
endfunction
...
let context = {"name": "example"}
let Func = function('Callback', context)
...
call Func() " will echo: called for example
The use of function() is not needed when there are no extra
arguments, these two are equivalent:
let Func = function('Callback', context)
let Func = context.Callback
The argument list and the Dictionary can be combined:
function Callback(arg1, count) dict
...
let context = {"name": "example"}
let Func = function('Callback', ['one'], context)
...
call Func(500)
Invokes the function as with:
call context.Callback('one', 500)
Can also be used as a method:
GetFuncname()->function([arg])
garbagecollect([{atexit}]) garbagecollect()
Cleanup unused Lists, Dictionaries, Channels and Jobs
that have circular references.
There is hardly ever a need to invoke this function, as it is
automatically done when Vim runs out of memory or is waiting
for the user to press a key after 'updatetime'. Items without
circular references are always freed when they become unused.
This is useful if you have deleted a very big List and/or
Dictionary with circular references in a script that runs
for a long time.
When the optional {atexit} argument is one, garbage
collection will also be done when exiting Vim, if it wasn't
done before. This is useful when checking for memory leaks.
The garbage collection is not done immediately but only when
it's safe to perform. This is when waiting for the user to
type a character. To force garbage collection immediately use
test_garbagecollect_now().
get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) get()
Get item {idx} from List {list}. When this item is not
available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
omitted.
Preferably used as a method:
mylist->get(idx)
get({blob}, {idx} [, {default}])
Get byte {idx} from Blob {blob}. When this byte is not
available return {default}. Return -1 when {default} is
omitted.
Preferably used as a method:
myblob->get(idx)
get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Get item with key {key} from Dictionary {dict}. When this
item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
{default} is omitted. Useful example:
let val = get(g:, 'var_name', 'default')
This gets the value of g:var_name if it exists, and uses
'default' when it does not exist.
Preferably used as a method:
mydict->get(key)
get({func}, {what})
Get an item with from Funcref {func}. Possible values for
{what} are:
"name" The function name
"func" The function
"dict" The dictionary
"args" The list with arguments
Preferably used as a method:
myfunc->get(what)
getbufinfo()
getbufinfo([{expr}])
getbufinfo([{dict}])
Get information about buffers as a List of Dictionaries.
Without an argument information about all the buffers is
returned.
When the argument is a Dictionary only the buffers matching
the specified criteria are returned. The following keys can
be specified in {dict}:
buflisted include only listed buffers.
bufloaded include only loaded buffers.
bufmodified include only modified buffers.
Otherwise, {expr} specifies a particular buffer to return
information for. For the use of {expr}, see bufname()
above. If the buffer is found the returned List has one item.
Otherwise the result is an empty list.
Each returned List item is a dictionary with the following
entries:
bufnr Buffer number.
changed TRUE if the buffer is modified.
changedtick Number of changes made to the buffer.
hidden TRUE if the buffer is hidden.
lastused Timestamp in seconds, like
localtime(), when the buffer was
last used.
{only with the |+viminfo| feature}
listed TRUE if the buffer is listed.
lnum Line number used for the buffer when
opened in the current window.
Only valid if the buffer has been
displayed in the window in the past.
If you want the line number of the
last known cursor position in a given
window, use line():
:echo line('.', {winid})
linecount Number of lines in the buffer (only
valid when loaded)
loaded TRUE if the buffer is loaded.
name Full path to the file in the buffer.
signs List of signs placed in the buffer.
Each list item is a dictionary with
the following fields:
id sign identifier
lnum line number
name sign name
variables A reference to the dictionary with
buffer-local variables.
windows List of window-IDs that display this
buffer
popups List of popup window-IDs that
display this buffer
Examples:
for buf in getbufinfo()
echo buf.name
endfor
for buf in getbufinfo({'buflisted':1})
if buf.changed
....
endif
endfor
To get buffer-local options use:
getbufvar({bufnr}, '&option_name')
Can also be used as a method:
GetBufnr()->getbufinfo()
getbufline()
getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Return a List with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
(inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
List with only the line {lnum} is returned.
For the use of {expr}, see bufname() above.
For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
lines in the buffer, an empty List is returned.
When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty List is
returned.
This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
non-existing buffers, an empty List is returned.
Example:
:let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Can also be used as a method:
GetBufnr()->getbufline(lnum)
getbufvar({expr}, {varname} [, {def}]) getbufvar()
The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
{varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
must be used.
When {varname} is empty returns a Dictionary with all the
buffer-local variables.
When {varname} is equal to "&" returns a Dictionary with all
the buffer-local options.
Otherwise, when {varname} starts with "&" returns the value of
a buffer-local option.
This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
window-local option.
For the use of {expr}, see bufname() above.
When the buffer or variable doesn't exist {def} or an empty
string is returned, there is no error message.
Examples:
:let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
:echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
Can also be used as a method:
GetBufnr()->getbufvar(varname)
getchangelist([{expr}]) getchangelist()
Returns the changelist for the buffer {expr}. For the use
of {expr}, see bufname() above. If buffer {expr} doesn't
exist, an empty list is returned.
The returned list contains two entries: a list with the change
locations and the current position in the list. Each
entry in the change list is a dictionary with the following
entries:
col column number
coladd column offset for 'virtualedit'
lnum line number
If buffer {expr} is the current buffer, then the current
position refers to the position in the list. For other
buffers, it is set to the length of the list.
Can also be used as a method:
GetBufnr()->getchangelist()
getchar([expr]) getchar()
Get a single character from the user or input stream.
If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
Return zero otherwise.
If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
not consumed. Return zero if no character available.
If you prefer always getting a string use getcharstr().
Without [expr] and when [expr] is 0 a whole character or
special key is returned. If it is a single character, the
result is a number. Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
Otherwise a String is returned with the encoded character.
For a special key it's a String with a sequence of bytes
starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128). This is the same value as
the String "\<Key>", e.g., "\<Left>". The returned value is
also a String when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used
that is not included in the character.
When [expr] is 0 and Esc is typed, there will be a short delay
while Vim waits to see if this is the start of an escape
sequence.
When [expr] is 1 only the first byte is returned. For a
one-byte character it is the character itself as a number.
Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
Use getcharmod() to obtain any additional modifiers.
When the user clicks a mouse button, the mouse event will be
returned. The position can then be found in v:mouse_col,
v:mouse_lnum, v:mouse_winid and v:mouse_win.
getmousepos() can also be used. Mouse move events will be
ignored.
This example positions the mouse as it would normally happen:
let c = getchar()
if c == "\<LeftMouse>" && v:mouse_win > 0
exe v:mouse_win . "wincmd w"
exe v:mouse_lnum
exe "normal " . v:mouse_col . "|"
endif
When using bracketed paste only the first character is
returned, the rest of the pasted text is dropped.
xterm-bracketed-paste.
There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
user that a character has to be typed. The screen is not
redrawn, e.g. when resizing the window. When using a popup
window it should work better with a popup-filter.
There is no mapping for the character.
Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
sequence. Examples:
getchar() == "\<Del>"
getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
This example redefines "f" to ignore case:
:nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
:function FindChar()
: let c = nr2char(getchar())
: while col('.') < col('$') - 1
: normal l
: if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
: break
: endif
: endwhile
:endfunction
You may also receive synthetic characters, such as
<CursorHold>. Often you will want to ignore this and get
another character:
:function GetKey()
: let c = getchar()
: while c == "\<CursorHold>"
: let c = getchar()
: endwhile
: return c
:endfunction
getcharmod() getcharmod()
The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
These values are added together:
2 shift
4 control
8 alt (meta)
16 meta (when it's different from ALT)
32 mouse double click
64 mouse triple click
96 mouse quadruple click (== 32 + 64)
128 command (Macintosh only)
Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
without a modifier.
getcharpos()
getcharpos({expr})
Get the position for {expr}. Same as getpos() but the column
number in the returned List is a character index instead of
a byte index.
If getpos() returns a very large column number, such as
2147483647, then getcharpos() will return the character index
of the last character.
Example:
With the cursor on '세' in line 5 with text "여보세요":
getcharpos('.') returns [0, 5, 3, 0]
getpos('.') returns [0, 5, 7, 0]
Can also be used as a method:
GetMark()->getcharpos()
getcharsearch() getcharsearch()
Return the current character search information as a {dict}
with the following entries:
char character previously used for a character
search (t, f, T, or F); empty string
if no character search has been performed
forward direction of character search; 1 for forward,
0 for backward
until type of character search; 1 for a t or T
character search, 0 for an f or F
character search
This can be useful to always have ; and , search
forward/backward regardless of the direction of the previous
character search:
:nnoremap <expr> ; getcharsearch().forward ? ';' : ','
:nnoremap <expr> , getcharsearch().forward ? ',' : ';'
Also see setcharsearch().
getcharstr([expr]) getcharstr()
Get a single character from the user or input stream as a
string.
If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
If [expr] is 0 or false, only get a character when one is
available. Return an empty string otherwise.
If [expr] is 1 or true, only check if a character is
available, it is not consumed. Return an empty string
if no character is available.
Otherwise this works like getchar(), except that a number
result is converted to a string.
getcmdline() getcmdline()
Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
line is being edited, thus requires use of c_CTRL-\_e or
c_CTRL-R_=.
Example:
:cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Also see getcmdtype(), getcmdpos() and setcmdpos().
Returns an empty string when entering a password or using
inputsecret().
getcmdpos() getcmdpos()
Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
byte count. The first column is 1.
Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
c_CTRL-\_e or c_CTRL-R_= or an expression mapping.
Returns 0 otherwise.
Also see getcmdtype(), setcmdpos() and getcmdline().
getcmdtype() getcmdtype()
Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
are:
: normal Ex command
> debug mode command debug-mode
/ forward search command
? backward search command
@ input() command
- :insert or :append command
= i_CTRL-R_=
Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
c_CTRL-\_e or c_CTRL-R_= or an expression mapping.
Returns an empty string otherwise.
Also see getcmdpos(), setcmdpos() and getcmdline().
getcmdwintype() getcmdwintype()
Return the current command-line-window type. Possible return
values are the same as getcmdtype(). Returns an empty string
when not in the command-line window.
getcompletion({pat}, {type} [, {filtered}]) getcompletion()
Return a list of command-line completion matches. {type}
specifies what for. The following completion types are
supported:
arglist file names in argument list
augroup autocmd groups
buffer buffer names
behave :behave suboptions
color color schemes
command Ex command (and arguments)
cmdline cmdline-completion result
compiler compilers
cscope :cscope suboptions
diff_buffer :diffget and :diffput completion
dir directory names
environment environment variable names
event autocommand events
expression Vim expression
file file and directory names
file_in_path file and directory names in 'path'
filetype filetype names 'filetype'
function function name
help help subjects
highlight highlight groups
history :history suboptions
locale locale names (as output of locale -a)
mapclear buffer argument
mapping mapping name
menu menus
messages :messages suboptions
option options
packadd optional package pack-add names
shellcmd Shell command
sign :sign suboptions
syntax syntax file names 'syntax'
syntime :syntime suboptions
tag tags
tag_listfiles tags, file names
user user names
var user variables
If {pat} is an empty string, then all the matches are
returned. Otherwise only items matching {pat} are returned.
See wildcards for the use of special characters in {pat}.
If the optional {filtered} flag is set to 1, then 'wildignore'
is applied to filter the results. Otherwise all the matches
are returned. The 'wildignorecase' option always applies.
If {type} is "cmdline", then the cmdline-completion result is
returned. For example, to complete the possible values after
a ":call" command:
echo getcompletion('call ', 'cmdline')
If there are no matches, an empty list is returned. An
invalid value for {type} produces an error.
Can also be used as a method:
GetPattern()->getcompletion('color')
getcurpos()
getcurpos([{winid}])
Get the position of the cursor. This is like getpos('.'), but
includes an extra "curswant" item in the list:
[0, lnum, col, off, curswant]
The "curswant" number is the preferred column when moving the
cursor vertically. Also see getcursorcharpos() and
getpos().
The first "bufnum" item is always zero. The byte position of
the cursor is returned in 'col'. To get the character
position, use getcursorcharpos().
The optional {winid} argument can specify the window. It can
be the window number or the window-ID. The last known
cursor position is returned, this may be invalid for the
current value of the buffer if it is not the current window.
If {winid} is invalid a list with zeroes is returned.
This can be used to save and restore the cursor position:
let save_cursor = getcurpos()
MoveTheCursorAround
call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Note that this only works within the window. See
winrestview() for restoring more state.
Can also be used as a method:
GetWinid()->getcurpos()
getcursorcharpos()
getcursorcharpos([{winid}])
Same as getcurpos() but the column number in the returned
List is a character index instead of a byte index.
Example:
With the cursor on '보' in line 3 with text "여보세요":
getcursorcharpos() returns [0, 3, 2, 0, 3]
getcurpos() returns [0, 3, 4, 0, 3]
Can also be used as a method:
GetWinid()->getcursorcharpos()
getcwd()
getcwd([{winnr} [, {tabnr}]])
The result is a String, which is the name of the current
working directory.
With {winnr} return the local current directory of this window
in the current tab page. {winnr} can be the window number or
the window-ID.
If {winnr} is -1 return the name of the global working
directory. See also haslocaldir().
With {winnr} and {tabnr} return the local current directory of
the window in the specified tab page. If {winnr} is -1 return
the working directory of the tabpage.
If {winnr} is zero use the current window, if {tabnr} is zero
use the current tabpage.
Without any arguments, return the working directory of the
current window.
Return an empty string if the arguments are invalid.
Examples:
" Get the working directory of the current window
:echo getcwd()
:echo getcwd(0)
:echo getcwd(0, 0)
" Get the working directory of window 3 in tabpage 2
:echo getcwd(3, 2)
" Get the global working directory
:echo getcwd(-1)
" Get the working directory of tabpage 3
:echo getcwd(-1, 3)
" Get the working directory of current tabpage
:echo getcwd(-1, 0)
Can also be used as a method:
GetWinnr()->getcwd()
getenv({name}) getenv()
Return the value of environment variable {name}.
When the variable does not exist v:null is returned. That
is different from a variable set to an empty string, although
some systems interpret the empty value as the variable being
deleted. See also expr-env.
Can also be used as a method:
GetVarname()->getenv()
getfontname([{name}]) getfontname()
Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
hl-Normal.
With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
gvimrc file. Use the GUIEnter autocommand to use this
function just after the GUI has started.
Note that the GTK GUI accepts any font name, thus checking for
a valid name does not work.
getfperm({fname}) getfperm()
The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
permissions of the given file {fname}.
If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
empty string is returned.
The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
"rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
is replaced with the string "-". Examples:
:echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
:echo getfperm(expand("~/.vimrc"))
This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Can also be used as a method:
GetFilename()->getfperm()
For setting permissions use setfperm().
getfsize({fname}) getfsize()
The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
given file {fname}.
If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
If the size of {fname} is too big to fit in a Number then -2
is returned.
Can also be used as a method:
GetFilename()->getfsize()
getftime({fname}) getftime()
The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
localtime() and strftime().
If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
Can also be used as a method:
GetFilename()->getftime()
getftype({fname}) getftype()
The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
file of the given file {fname}.
If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
results:
Normal file "file"
Directory "dir"
Symbolic link "link"
Block device "bdev"
Character device "cdev"
Socket "socket"
FIFO "fifo"
All other "other"
Example:
getftype("/home")
Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
"file" are returned. On MS-Windows a symbolic link to a
directory returns "dir" instead of "link".
Can also be used as a method:
GetFilename()->getftype()
getimstatus() getimstatus()
The result is a Number, which is TRUE when the IME status is
active.
See 'imstatusfunc'.
getjumplist([{winnr} [, {tabnr}]]) getjumplist()
Returns the jumplist for the specified window.
Without arguments use the current window.
With {winnr} only use this window in the current tab page.
{winnr} can also be a window-ID.
With {winnr} and {tabnr} use the window in the specified tab
page.
The returned list contains two entries: a list with the jump
locations and the last used jump position number in the list.
Each entry in the jump location list is a dictionary with
the following entries:
bufnr buffer number
col column number
coladd column offset for 'virtualedit'
filename filename if available
lnum line number
Can also be used as a method:
GetWinnr()->getjumplist()
getline()
getline({lnum} [, {end}])
Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
from the current buffer. Example:
getline(1)
When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
To get the line under the cursor:
getline(".")
When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
When {end} is given the result is a List where each item is
a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
including line {end}.
{end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
When {end} is before {lnum} an empty List is returned.
Example:
:let start = line('.')
:let end = search("^$") - 1
:let lines = getline(start, end)
Can also be used as a method:
ComputeLnum()->getline()
To get lines from another buffer see getbufline()
getloclist({nr} [, {what}]) getloclist()
Returns a List with all the entries in the location list for
window {nr}. {nr} can be the window number or the window-ID.
When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
For a location list window, the displayed location list is
returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
returned. Otherwise, same as getqflist().
If the optional {what} dictionary argument is supplied, then
returns the items listed in {what} as a dictionary. Refer to
getqflist() for the supported items in {what}.
In addition to the items supported by getqflist() in {what},
the following item is supported by getloclist():
filewinid id of the window used to display files
from the location list. This field is
applicable only when called from a
location list window. See
location-list-file-window for more
details.
Returns a Dictionary with default values if there is no
location list for the window {nr}.
Returns an empty Dictionary if window {nr} does not exist.
Examples (See also getqflist-examples):
:echo getloclist(3, {'all': 0})
:echo getloclist(5, {'filewinid': 0})
getmarklist([{expr}]) getmarklist()
Without the {expr} argument returns a List with information
about all the global marks. mark
If the optional {expr} argument is specified, returns the
local marks defined in buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
see bufname().
Each item in the returned List is a Dict with the following:
mark name of the mark prefixed by "'"
pos a List with the position of the mark:
[bufnum, lnum, col, off]
Refer to getpos() for more information.
file file name
Refer to getpos() for getting information about a specific
mark.
Can also be used as a method:
GetBufnr()->getmarklist()
getmatches([{win}]) getmatches()
Returns a List with all matches previously defined for the
current window by matchadd() and the :match commands.
getmatches() is useful in combination with setmatches(),
as setmatches() can restore a list of matches saved by
getmatches().
If {win} is specified, use the window with this number or
window ID instead of the current window.
Example:
:echo getmatches()
[{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}]
:let m = getmatches()
:call clearmatches()
:echo getmatches()
[]
:call setmatches(m)
:echo getmatches()
[{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}]
:unlet m
getmousepos() getmousepos()
Returns a Dictionary with the last known position of the
mouse. This can be used in a mapping for a mouse click or in
a filter of a popup window. The items are:
screenrow screen row
screencol screen column
winid Window ID of the click
winrow row inside "winid"
wincol column inside "winid"
line text line inside "winid"
column text column inside "winid"
All numbers are 1-based.
If not over a window, e.g. when in the command line, then only
"screenrow" and "screencol" are valid, the others are zero.
When on the status line below a window or the vertical
separator right of a window, the "line" and "column" values
are zero.
When the position is after the text then "column" is the
length of the text in bytes plus one.
If the mouse is over a popup window then that window is used.
When using getchar() the Vim variables v:mouse_lnum,
v:mouse_col and v:mouse_winid also provide these values.
getpid()
getpid() Return a Number which is the process ID of the Vim process.
On Unix and MS-Windows this is a unique number, until Vim
exits.
getpos()
getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
see line(). For getting the cursor position see
getcurpos().
The result is a List with four numbers:
[bufnum, lnum, col, off]
"bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
is the buffer number of the mark.
"lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
column is 1.
The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
character.
Note that for '< and '> Visual mode matters: when it is "V"
(visual line mode) the column of '< is zero and the column of
'> is a large number.
The column number in the returned List is the byte position
within the line. To get the character position in the line,
use getcharpos().
The column number can be very large, e.g. 2147483647, in which
case it means "after the end of the line".
This can be used to save and restore the position of a mark:
let save_a_mark = getpos("'a")
...
call setpos("'a", save_a_mark)
Also see getcharpos(), getcurpos() and setpos().
Can also be used as a method:
GetMark()->getpos()
getqflist([{what}]) getqflist()
Returns a List with all the current quickfix errors. Each
list item is a dictionary with these entries:
bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
bufname() to get the name
module module name
lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
end_lnum
end of line number if the item is multiline
col column number (first column is 1)
end_col end of column number if the item has range
vcol TRUE: "col" is visual column
FALSE: "col" is byte index
nr error number
pattern search pattern used to locate the error
text description of the error
type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
valid TRUE: recognized error message
When there is no error list or it's empty, an empty list is
returned. Quickfix list entries with a non-existing buffer
number are returned with "bufnr" set to zero (Note: some
functions accept buffer number zero for the alternate buffer,
you may need to explicitly check for zero).
Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
do something with them:
:vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
:for d in getqflist()
: echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
:endfor
If the optional {what} dictionary argument is supplied, then
returns only the items listed in {what} as a dictionary. The
following string items are supported in {what}:
changedtick get the total number of changes made
to the list quickfix-changedtick
context get the quickfix-context
efm errorformat to use when parsing "lines". If
not present, then the 'errorformat' option
value is used.
id get information for the quickfix list with
quickfix-ID; zero means the id for the
current list or the list specified by "nr"
idx get information for the quickfix entry at this
index in the list specified by 'id' or 'nr'.
If set to zero, then uses the current entry.
See quickfix-index
items quickfix list entries
lines parse a list of lines using 'efm' and return
the resulting entries. Only a List type is
accepted. The current quickfix list is not
modified. See quickfix-parse.
nr get information for this quickfix list; zero
means the current quickfix list and "$" means
the last quickfix list
qfbufnr number of the buffer displayed in the quickfix
window. Returns 0 if the quickfix buffer is
not present. See quickfix-buffer.
size number of entries in the quickfix list
title get the list title quickfix-title
winid get the quickfix window-ID
all all of the above quickfix properties
Non-string items in {what} are ignored. To get the value of a
particular item, set it to zero.
If "nr" is not present then the current quickfix list is used.
If both "nr" and a non-zero "id" are specified, then the list
specified by "id" is used.
To get the number of lists in the quickfix stack, set "nr" to
"$" in {what}. The "nr" value in the returned dictionary
contains the quickfix stack size.
When "lines" is specified, all the other items except "efm"
are ignored. The returned dictionary contains the entry
"items" with the list of entries.
The returned dictionary contains the following entries:
changedtick total number of changes made to the
list quickfix-changedtick
context quickfix list context. See quickfix-context
If not present, set to "".
id quickfix list ID quickfix-ID. If not
present, set to 0.
idx index of the quickfix entry in the list. If not
present, set to 0.
items quickfix list entries. If not present, set to
an empty list.
nr quickfix list number. If not present, set to 0
qfbufnr number of the buffer displayed in the quickfix
window. If not present, set to 0.
size number of entries in the quickfix list. If not
present, set to 0.
title quickfix list title text. If not present, set
to "".
winid quickfix window-ID. If not present, set to 0
Examples (See also getqflist-examples):
:echo getqflist({'all': 1})
:echo getqflist({'nr': 2, 'title': 1})
:echo getqflist({'lines' : ["F1:10:L10"]})
getreg([{regname} [, 1 [, {list}]]]) getreg()
The result is a String, which is the contents of register
{regname}. Example:
:let cliptext = getreg('*')
When {regname} was not set the result is an empty string.
getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
register. (For use in maps.)
getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
be restored with setreg(). For other registers the extra
argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
If {list} is present and TRUE, the result type is changed
to List. Each list item is one text line. Use it if you care
about zero bytes possibly present inside register: without
third argument both NLs and zero bytes are represented as NLs
(see NL-used-for-Nul).
When the register was not set an empty list is returned.
If {regname} is not specified, v:register is used.
In Vim9-script {regname} must be one character.
Can also be used as a method:
GetRegname()->getreg()
getreginfo([{regname}]) getreginfo()
Returns detailed information about register {regname} as a
Dictionary with the following entries:
regcontents List of lines contained in register
{regname}, like
getreg({regname}, 1, 1).
regtype the type of register {regname}, as in
getregtype().
isunnamed Boolean flag, v:true if this register
is currently pointed to by the unnamed
register.
points_to for the unnamed register, gives the
single letter name of the register
currently pointed to (see quotequote).
For example, after deleting a line
with dd, this field will be "1",
which is the register that got the
deleted text.
If {regname} is invalid or not set, an empty Dictionary
will be returned.
If {regname} is not specified, v:register is used.
The returned Dictionary can be passed to setreg().
In Vim9-script {regname} must be one character.
Can also be used as a method:
GetRegname()->getreginfo()
getregtype([{regname}]) getregtype()
The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
The value will be one of:
"v" for characterwise text
"V" for linewise text
"<CTRL-V>{width}" for blockwise-visual text
"" for an empty or unknown register
<CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
If {regname} is not specified, v:register is used.
In Vim9-script {regname} must be one character.
Can also be used as a method:
GetRegname()->getregtype()
gettabinfo([{tabnr}]) gettabinfo()
If {tabnr} is not specified, then information about all the
tab pages is returned as a List. Each List item is a
Dictionary. Otherwise, {tabnr} specifies the tab page
number and information about that one is returned. If the tab
page does not exist an empty List is returned.
Each List item is a Dictionary with the following entries:
tabnr tab page number.
variables a reference to the dictionary with
tabpage-local variables
windows List of window-IDs in the tab page.
Can also be used as a method:
GetTabnr()->gettabinfo()
gettabvar({tabnr}, {varname} [, {def}]) gettabvar()
Get the value of a tab-local variable {varname} in tab page
{tabnr}. t:var
Tabs are numbered starting with one.
When {varname} is empty a dictionary with all tab-local
variables is returned.
Note that the name without "t:" must be used.
When the tab or variable doesn't exist {def} or an empty
string is returned, there is no error message.
Can also be used as a method:
GetTabnr()->gettabvar(varname)
gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname} [, {def}]) gettabwinvar()
Get the value of window-local variable {varname} in window
{winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
When {varname} is empty a dictionary with all window-local
variables is returned.
When {varname} is equal to "&" get the values of all
window-local options in a Dictionary.
Otherwise, when {varname} starts with "&" get the value of a
window-local option.
Note that {varname} must be the name without "w:".
Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
use getwinvar().
{winnr} can be the window number or the window-ID.
When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
or buffer-local variable.
When the tab, window or variable doesn't exist {def} or an
empty string is returned, there is no error message.
Examples:
:let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
:echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
To obtain all window-local variables use:
gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, '&')
Can also be used as a method:
GetTabnr()->gettabwinvar(winnr, varname)
gettagstack([{winnr}]) gettagstack()
The result is a Dict, which is the tag stack of window {winnr}.
{winnr} can be the window number or the window-ID.
When {winnr} is not specified, the current window is used.
When window {winnr} doesn't exist, an empty Dict is returned.
The returned dictionary contains the following entries:
curidx Current index in the stack. When at
top of the stack, set to (length + 1).
Index of bottom of the stack is 1.
items List of items in the stack. Each item
is a dictionary containing the
entries described below.
length Number of entries in the stack.
Each item in the stack is a dictionary with the following
entries:
bufnr buffer number of the current jump
from cursor position before the tag jump.
See getpos() for the format of the
returned list.
matchnr current matching tag number. Used when
multiple matching tags are found for a
name.
tagname name of the tag
See tagstack for more information about the tag stack.
Can also be used as a method:
GetWinnr()->gettagstack()
gettext({text}) gettext()
Translate {text} if possible.
This is mainly for use in the distributed Vim scripts. When
generating message translations the {text} is extracted by
xgettext, the translator can add the translated message in the
.po file and Vim will lookup the translation when gettext() is
called.
For {text} double quoted strings are preferred, because
xgettext does not understand escaping in single quoted
strings.
getwininfo([{winid}]) getwininfo()
Returns information about windows as a List with Dictionaries.
If {winid} is given Information about the window with that ID
is returned, as a List with one item. If the window does not
exist the result is an empty list.
Without {winid} information about all the windows in all the
tab pages is returned.
Each List item is a Dictionary with the following entries:
botline last complete displayed buffer line
bufnr number of buffer in the window
height window height (excluding winbar)
loclist 1 if showing a location list
{only with the +quickfix feature}
quickfix 1 if quickfix or location list window
{only with the +quickfix feature}
terminal 1 if a terminal window
{only with the +terminal feature}
tabnr tab page number
topline first displayed buffer line
variables a reference to the dictionary with
window-local variables
width window width
winbar 1 if the window has a toolbar, 0
otherwise
wincol leftmost screen column of the window;
"col" from win_screenpos()
winid window-ID
winnr window number
winrow topmost screen line of the window;
"row" from win_screenpos()
Can also be used as a method:
GetWinnr()->getwininfo()
getwinpos([{timeout}]) getwinpos()
The result is a List with two numbers, the result of
getwinposx() and getwinposy() combined:
[x-pos, y-pos]
{timeout} can be used to specify how long to wait in msec for
a response from the terminal. When omitted 100 msec is used.
Use a longer time for a remote terminal.
When using a value less than 10 and no response is received
within that time, a previously reported position is returned,
if available. This can be used to poll for the position and
do some work in the meantime:
while 1
let res = getwinpos(1)
if res[0] >= 0
break
endif
" Do some work here
endwhile
Can also be used as a method:
GetTimeout()->getwinpos()
getwinposx()
getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. Also works for an
xterm (uses a timeout of 100 msec).
The result will be -1 if the information is not available.
The value can be used with :winpos.
getwinposy()
getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
the top of the GUI Vim window. Also works for an xterm (uses
a timeout of 100 msec).
The result will be -1 if the information is not available.
The value can be used with :winpos.
getwinvar({winnr}, {varname} [, {def}]) getwinvar()
Like gettabwinvar() for the current tabpage.
Examples:
:let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
:echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
Can also be used as a method:
GetWinnr()->getwinvar(varname)
glob({expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list} [, {alllinks}]]]) glob()
Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. See wildcards for the
use of special characters.
Unless the optional {nosuf} argument is given and is TRUE,
the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
'wildignorecase' always applies.
When {list} is present and it is TRUE the result is a List
with all matching files. The advantage of using a List is,
you also get filenames containing newlines correctly.
Otherwise the result is a String and when there are several
matches, they are separated by <NL> characters.
If the expansion fails, the result is an empty String or List.
You can also use readdir() if you need to do complicated
things, such as limiting the number of matches.
A name for a non-existing file is not included. A symbolic
link is only included if it points to an existing file.
However, when the {alllinks} argument is present and it is
TRUE then all symbolic links are included.
For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
any external command. Example:
:let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
:let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
See expand() for expanding special Vim variables. See
system() for getting the raw output of an external command.
Can also be used as a method:
GetExpr()->glob()
glob2regpat({expr}) glob2regpat()
Convert a file pattern, as used by glob(), into a search
pattern. The result can be used to match with a string that
is a file name. E.g.
if filename =~ glob2regpat('Make*.mak')
This is equivalent to:
if filename =~ '^Make.*\.mak$'
When {expr} is an empty string the result is "^$", match an
empty string.
Note that the result depends on the system. On MS-Windows
a backslash usually means a path separator.
Can also be used as a method:
GetExpr()->glob2regpat()
globpath()
globpath({path}, {expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list} [, {alllinks}]]])
Perform glob() for {expr} on all directories in {path} and
concatenate the results. Example:
:echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
{path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
error message.
Unless the optional {nosuf} argument is given and is TRUE,
the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
When {list} is present and it is TRUE the result is a List
with all matching files. The advantage of using a List is, you
also get filenames containing newlines correctly. Otherwise
the result is a String and when there are several matches,
they are separated by <NL> characters. Example:
:echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim", 0, 1)
{alllinks} is used as with glob().
The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
in 'runtimepath' and below:
:echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
Upwards search and limiting the depth of "**" is not
supported, thus using 'path' will not always work properly.
Can also be used as a method, the base is passed as the
second argument:
GetExpr()->globpath(&rtp)
has()
has({feature} [, {check}])
When {check} is omitted or is zero: The result is a Number,
which is 1 if the feature {feature} is supported, zero
otherwise. The {feature} argument is a string, case is
ignored. See feature-list below.
When {check} is present and not zero: The result is a Number,
which is 1 if the feature {feature} could ever be supported,
zero otherwise. This is useful to check for a typo in
{feature} and to detect dead code. Keep in mind that an older
Vim version will not know about a feature added later and
features that have been abandoned will not be known by the
current Vim version.
Also see exists().
Note that to skip code that has a syntax error when the
feature is not available, Vim may skip the rest of the line
and miss a following endif. Therefore put the endif on a
separate line:
if has('feature')
let x = this->breaks->without->the->feature
endif
If the endif would be moved to the second line as "| endif" it
would not be found.
has_key({dict}, {key}) has_key()
The result is a Number, which is TRUE if Dictionary {dict}
has an entry with key {key}. FALSE otherwise.
Can also be used as a method:
mydict->has_key(key)
haslocaldir([{winnr} [, {tabnr}]]) haslocaldir()
The result is a Number:
1 when the window has set a local directory via :lcd
2 when the tab-page has set a local directory via :tcd
0 otherwise.
Without arguments use the current window.
With {winnr} use this window in the current tab page.
With {winnr} and {tabnr} use the window in the specified tab
page.
{winnr} can be the window number or the window-ID.
If {winnr} is -1 it is ignored and only the tabpage is used.
Return 0 if the arguments are invalid.
Examples:
if haslocaldir() == 1
" window local directory case
elseif haslocaldir() == 2
" tab-local directory case
else
" global directory case
endif
" current window
:echo haslocaldir()
:echo haslocaldir(0)
:echo haslocaldir(0, 0)
" window n in current tab page
:echo haslocaldir(n)
:echo haslocaldir(n, 0)
" window n in tab page m
:echo haslocaldir(n, m)
" tab page m
:echo haslocaldir(-1, m)
Can also be used as a method:
GetWinnr()->haslocaldir()
hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) hasmapto()
The result is a Number, which is TRUE if there is a mapping
that contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is
mapped to) and this mapping exists in one of the modes
indicated by {mode}.
When {abbr} is there and it is TRUE use abbreviations
instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
Command-line mode.
Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
buffer are checked for a match.
If no matching mapping is found FALSE is returned.
The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
n Normal mode
v Visual and Select mode
x Visual mode
s Select mode
o Operator-pending mode
i Insert mode
l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
c Command-line mode
When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
to a function in a Vim script. Example:
:if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
: map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
:endif
This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
Can also be used as a method:
GetRHS()->hasmapto()
histadd({history}, {item}) histadd()
Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
one of: hist-names
"cmd" or ":" command line history
"search" or "/" search pattern history
"expr" or "=" typed expression history
"input" or "@" input line history
"debug" or ">" debug command history
empty the current or last used history
The {history} string does not need to be the whole name, one
character is sufficient.
If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
shifted to become the newest entry.
The result is a Number: TRUE if the operation was successful,
otherwise FALSE is returned.
Example:
:call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
:let date=input("Enter date: ")
This function is not available in the sandbox.
Can also be used as a method, the base is passed as the
second argument:
GetHistory()->histadd('search')
histdel({history} [, {item}]) histdel()
Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See hist-names
for the possible values of {history}.
If the parameter {item} evaluates to a String, it is used as a
regular expression. All entries matching that expression will
be removed from the history (if there are any).
Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used /\c.
If {item} evaluates to a Number, it will be interpreted as
an index, see :history-indexing. The respective entry will
be removed if it exists.
The result is TRUE for a successful operation, otherwise FALSE
is returned.
Examples:
Clear expression register history:
:call histdel("expr")
Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history:
:call histdel("/", '^\*')
The following three are equivalent:
:call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
:call histdel("search", -1)
:call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
the "n" command and 'hlsearch':
:call histdel("search", -1)
:let @/ = histget("search", -1)
Can also be used as a method:
GetHistory()->histdel()
histget({history} [, {index}]) histget()
The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
{history}. See hist-names for the possible values of
{history}, and :history-indexing for {index}. If there is
no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
Examples:
Redo the second last search from history.
:execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
the {num}th entry from the output of :history.
:command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
Can also be used as a method:
GetHistory()->histget()
histnr({history}) histnr()
The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
See hist-names for the possible values of {history}.
If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
Example:
:let inp_index = histnr("expr")
Can also be used as a method:
GetHistory()->histnr()
hlexists({name}) hlexists()
The result is a Number, which is TRUE if a highlight group
called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
item.
highlight_exists()
Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->hlexists()
hlID()
hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
zero is returned.
This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
group. For example, to get the background color of the
"Comment" group:
:echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
highlightID()
Obsolete name: highlightID().
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->hlID()
hostname() hostname()
The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
256 characters long are truncated.
iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) iconv()
The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
When the conversion completely fails an empty string is
returned. When some characters could not be converted they
are replaced with "?".
The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the +iconv
feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
can be done.
This can be used to display messages with special characters,
no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
UTF-8 and use:
echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
Can also be used as a method:
GetText()->iconv('latin1', 'utf-8')
indent()
indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
getline().
When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
Can also be used as a method:
GetLnum()->indent()
index({object}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) index()
If {object} is a List return the lowest index where the item
has a value equal to {expr}. There is no automatic
conversion, so the String "4" is different from the Number 4.
And the number 4 is different from the Float 4.0. The value
of 'ignorecase' is not used here, case always matters.
If {object} is Blob return the lowest index where the byte
value is equal to {expr}.
If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
{start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
When {ic} is given and it is TRUE, ignore case. Otherwise
case must match.
-1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {object}.
Example:
:let idx = index(words, "the")
:if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Can also be used as a method:
GetObject()->index(what)
input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) input()
The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
the command-line. The {prompt} argument is either a prompt
string, or a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used
in the prompt to start a new line.
The highlighting set with :echohl is used for the prompt.
The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
for lines typed for input().
Example:
:if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
: echo "Cheers!"
:endif
If the optional {text} argument is present and not empty, this
is used for the default reply, as if the user typed this.
Example:
:let color = input("Color? ", "white")
The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
"-complete=" argument. Refer to :command-completion for
more information. Example:
let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
Use inputsave() before input() and inputrestore()
after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
:execute or :normal.
Example with a mapping:
:nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
:function GetFoo()
: call inputsave()
: let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
: call inputrestore()
:endfunction
Can also be used as a method:
GetPrompt()->input()
inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) inputdialog()
Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs
are supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
Example:
:let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", shiftwidth())
:if n != ""
: let &sw = n
:endif
When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
omitted an empty string is returned.
Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
<Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Can also be used as a method:
GetPrompt()->inputdialog()
inputlist({textlist}) inputlist()
{textlist} must be a List of strings. This List is
displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
enter a number, which is returned.
The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
mouse, if the mouse is enabled in the command line ('mouse' is
"a" or includes "c"). For the first string 0 is returned.
When clicking above the first item a negative number is
returned. When clicking on the prompt one more than the
length of {textlist} is returned.
Make sure {textlist} has less than 'lines' entries, otherwise
it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
the start of the string. And put a prompt in the first item.
Example:
let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
\ '2. green', '3. blue'])
Can also be used as a method:
GetChoices()->inputlist()
inputrestore() inputrestore()
Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
Returns TRUE when there is nothing to restore, FALSE otherwise.
inputsave() inputsave()
Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
be used several times, in which case there must be just as
many inputrestore() calls.
Returns TRUE when out of memory, FALSE otherwise.
inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) inputsecret()
This function acts much like the input() function with but
two exceptions:
a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
history stack.
The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Can also be used as a method:
GetPrompt()->inputsecret()
insert({object}, {item} [, {idx}]) insert()
When {object} is a List or a Blob insert {item} at the start
of it.
If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
{idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
list-index. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Returns the resulting List or Blob. Examples:
:let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
:call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
:call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
The last example can be done simpler with add().
Note that when {item} is a List it is inserted as a single
item. Use extend() to concatenate Lists.
Can also be used as a method:
mylist->insert(item)
interrupt() interrupt()
Interrupt script execution. It works more or less like the
user typing CTRL-C, most commands won't execute and control
returns to the user. This is useful to abort execution
from lower down, e.g. in an autocommand. Example:
:function s:check_typoname(file)
: if fnamemodify(a:file, ':t') == '['
: echomsg 'Maybe typo'
: call interrupt()
: endif
:endfunction
:au BufWritePre * call s:check_typoname(expand('<amatch>'))
invert({expr}) invert()
Bitwise invert. The argument is converted to a number. A
List, Dict or Float argument causes an error. Example:
:let bits = invert(bits)
Can also be used as a method:
:let bits = bits->invert()
isdirectory({directory}) isdirectory()
The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a directory
with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
is any expression, which is used as a String.
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->isdirectory()
isinf({expr}) isinf()
Return 1 if {expr} is a positive infinity, or -1 a negative
infinity, otherwise 0.
:echo isinf(1.0 / 0.0)
1
:echo isinf(-1.0 / 0.0)
-1
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->isinf()
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
islocked({expr}) islocked() E786
The result is a Number, which is TRUE when {expr} is the
name of a locked variable.
{expr} must be the name of a variable, List item or
Dictionary entry, not the variable itself! Example:
:let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
:lockvar 1 alist
:echo islocked('alist') " 1
:echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
message. Use exists() to check for existence.
In Vim9 script it does not work for local variables.
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->islocked()
isnan({expr}) isnan()
Return TRUE if {expr} is a float with value NaN.
echo isnan(0.0 / 0.0)
1
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->isnan()
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
items({dict}) items()
Return a List with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
List item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
entry and the value of this entry. The List is in arbitrary
order. Also see keys() and values().
Example:
for [key, value] in items(mydict)
echo key . ': ' . value
endfor
Can also be used as a method:
mydict->items()
job_ functions are documented here: job-functions-details
join({list} [, {sep}]) join()
Join the items in {list} together into one String.
When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
{sep} is omitted a single space is used.
Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
add it there too:
let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
String items are used as-is. Lists and Dictionaries are
converted into a string like with string().
The opposite function is split().
Can also be used as a method:
mylist->join()
js_decode({string}) js_decode()
This is similar to json_decode() with these differences:
- Object key names do not have to be in quotes.
- Strings can be in single quotes.
- Empty items in an array (between two commas) are allowed and
result in v:none items.
Can also be used as a method:
ReadObject()->js_decode()
js_encode({expr}) js_encode()
This is similar to json_encode() with these differences:
- Object key names are not in quotes.
- v:none items in an array result in an empty item between
commas.
For example, the Vim object:
[1,v:none,{"one":1},v:none]
Will be encoded as:
[1,,{one:1},,]
While json_encode() would produce:
[1,null,{"one":1},null]
This encoding is valid for JavaScript. It is more efficient
than JSON, especially when using an array with optional items.
Can also be used as a method:
GetObject()->js_encode()
json_decode({string}) json_decode()
This parses a JSON formatted string and returns the equivalent
in Vim values. See json_encode() for the relation between
JSON and Vim values.
The decoding is permissive:
- A trailing comma in an array and object is ignored, e.g.
"[1, 2, ]" is the same as "[1, 2]".
- Integer keys are accepted in objects, e.g. {1:2} is the
same as {"1":2}.
- More floating point numbers are recognized, e.g. "1." for
"1.0", or "001.2" for "1.2". Special floating point values
"Infinity", "-Infinity" and "NaN" (capitalization ignored)
are accepted.
- Leading zeroes in integer numbers are ignored, e.g. "012"
for "12" or "-012" for "-12".
- Capitalization is ignored in literal names null, true or
false, e.g. "NULL" for "null", "True" for "true".
- Control characters U+0000 through U+001F which are not
escaped in strings are accepted, e.g. " " (tab
character in string) for "\t".
- An empty JSON expression or made of only spaces is accepted
and results in v:none.
- Backslash in an invalid 2-character sequence escape is
ignored, e.g. "\a" is decoded as "a".
- A correct surrogate pair in JSON strings should normally be
a 12 character sequence such as "\uD834\uDD1E", but
json_decode() silently accepts truncated surrogate pairs
such as "\uD834" or "\uD834\u"
E938
A duplicate key in an object, valid in rfc7159, is not
accepted by json_decode() as the result must be a valid Vim
type, e.g. this fails: {"a":"b", "a":"c"}
Can also be used as a method:
ReadObject()->json_decode()
json_encode({expr}) json_encode()
Encode {expr} as JSON and return this as a string.
The encoding is specified in:
https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7159.html
Vim values are converted as follows:
Number decimal number
Float floating point number
Float nan "NaN"
Float inf "Infinity"
Float -inf "-Infinity"
String in double quotes (possibly null)
Funcref not possible, error
List as an array (possibly null); when
used recursively: []
Dict as an object (possibly null); when
used recursively: {}
Blob as an array of the individual bytes
v:false "false"
v:true "true"
v:none "null"
v:null "null"
Note that NaN and Infinity are passed on as values. This is
missing in the JSON standard, but several implementations do
allow it. If not then you will get an error.
Can also be used as a method:
GetObject()->json_encode()
keys({dict}) keys()
Return a List with all the keys of {dict}. The List is in
arbitrary order. Also see items() and values().
Can also be used as a method:
mydict->keys()
len() E701
len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
used, as with strlen().
When {expr} is a List the number of items in the List is
returned.
When {expr} is a Blob the number of bytes is returned.
When {expr} is a Dictionary the number of entries in the
Dictionary is returned.
Otherwise an error is given.
Can also be used as a method:
mylist->len()
libcall() E364 E368
libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
with single argument {argument}.
This is useful to call functions in a library that you
especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
limited.
The result is the String returned by the function. If the
function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
to Vim.
If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
null-terminated string.
This function will fail in restricted-mode.
libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
very probably crash.
For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
the DLL is not in the usual places.
For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
{only in Win32 and some Unix versions, when the +libcall
feature is present}
Examples:
:echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
Can also be used as a method, the base is passed as the
third argument:
GetValue()->libcall("libc.so", "getenv")
libcallnr()
libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
int instead of a string.
{only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the +libcall
feature is present}
Examples:
:echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
:call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
:call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
Can also be used as a method, the base is passed as the
third argument:
GetValue()->libcallnr("libc.so", "printf")
line({expr} [, {winid}]) line()
The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
. the cursor position
$ the last line in the current buffer
'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
returned)
w0 first line visible in current window (one if the
display isn't updated, e.g. in silent Ex mode)
w$ last line visible in current window (this is one
less than "w0" if no lines are visible)
v In Visual mode: the start of the Visual area (the
cursor is the end). When not in Visual mode
returns the cursor position. Differs from '< in
that it's updated right away.
Note that a mark in another file can be used. The line number
then applies to another buffer.
To get the column number use col(). To get both use
getpos().
With the optional {winid} argument the values are obtained for
that window instead of the current window.
Examples:
line(".") line number of the cursor
line(".", winid) idem, in window "winid"
line("'t") line number of mark t
line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
To jump to the last known position when opening a file see
last-position-jump.
Can also be used as a method:
GetValue()->line()
line2byte({lnum}) line2byte()
Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
{lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
line returns 1. 'encoding' matters, 'fileencoding' is ignored.
This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
below the last line:
line2byte(line("$") + 1)
This is the buffer size plus one. If 'fileencoding' is empty
it is the file size plus one. {lnum} is used like with
getline(). When {lnum} is invalid, or the +byte_offset
feature has been disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
Also see byte2line(), go and :goto.
Can also be used as a method:
GetLnum()->line2byte()
lispindent({lnum}) lispindent()
Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
relevant. {lnum} is used just like in getline().
When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
+lispindent feature, -1 is returned.
Can also be used as a method:
GetLnum()->lispindent()
list2str({list} [, {utf8}]) list2str()
Convert each number in {list} to a character string can
concatenate them all. Examples:
list2str([32]) returns " "
list2str([65, 66, 67]) returns "ABC"
The same can be done (slowly) with:
join(map(list, {nr, val -> nr2char(val)}), '')
str2list() does the opposite.
When {utf8} is omitted or zero, the current 'encoding' is used.
With {utf8} is 1, always return utf-8 characters.
With utf-8 composing characters work as expected:
list2str([97, 769]) returns "á"
Can also be used as a method:
GetList()->list2str()
listener_add({callback} [, {buf}]) listener_add()
Add a callback function that will be invoked when changes have
been made to buffer {buf}.
{buf} refers to a buffer name or number. For the accepted
values, see bufname(). When {buf} is omitted the current
buffer is used.
Returns a unique ID that can be passed to listener_remove().
The {callback} is invoked with five arguments:
a:bufnr the buffer that was changed
a:start first changed line number
a:end first line number below the change
a:added number of lines added, negative if lines were
deleted
a:changes a List of items with details about the changes
Example:
func Listener(bufnr, start, end, added, changes)
echo 'lines ' .. a:start .. ' until ' .. a:end .. ' changed'
endfunc
call listener_add('Listener', bufnr)
The List cannot be changed. Each item in a:changes is a
dictionary with these entries:
lnum the first line number of the change
end the first line below the change
added number of lines added; negative if lines were
deleted
col first column in "lnum" that was affected by
the change; one if unknown or the whole line
was affected; this is a byte index, first
character has a value of one.
When lines are inserted the values are:
lnum line above which the new line is added
end equal to "lnum"
added number of lines inserted
col 1
When lines are deleted the values are:
lnum the first deleted line
end the line below the first deleted line, before
the deletion was done
added negative, number of lines deleted
col 1
When lines are changed:
lnum the first changed line
end the line below the last changed line
added 0
col first column with a change or 1
The entries are in the order the changes were made, thus the
most recent change is at the end. The line numbers are valid
when the callback is invoked, but later changes may make them
invalid, thus keeping a copy for later might not work.
The {callback} is invoked just before the screen is updated,
when listener_flush() is called or when a change is being
made that changes the line count in a way it causes a line
number in the list of changes to become invalid.
The {callback} is invoked with the text locked, see
textlock. If you do need to make changes to the buffer, use
a timer to do this later timer_start().
The {callback} is not invoked when the buffer is first loaded.
Use the BufReadPost autocmd event to handle the initial text
of a buffer.
The {callback} is also not invoked when the buffer is
unloaded, use the BufUnload autocmd event for that.
Can also be used as a method, the base is passed as the
second argument:
GetBuffer()->listener_add(callback)
listener_flush([{buf}]) listener_flush()
Invoke listener callbacks for buffer {buf}. If there are no
pending changes then no callbacks are invoked.
{buf} refers to a buffer name or number. For the accepted
values, see bufname(). When {buf} is omitted the current
buffer is used.
Can also be used as a method:
GetBuffer()->listener_flush()
listener_remove({id}) listener_remove()
Remove a listener previously added with listener_add().
Returns FALSE when {id} could not be found, TRUE when {id} was
removed.
Can also be used as a method:
GetListenerId()->listener_remove()
localtime() localtime()
Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
1970. See also strftime(), strptime() and getftime().
log({expr}) log()
Return the natural logarithm (base e) of {expr} as a Float.
{expr} must evaluate to a Float or a Number in the range
(0, inf].
Examples:
:echo log(10)
2.302585
:echo log(exp(5))
5.0
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->log()
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
log10({expr}) log10()
Return the logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10 as a Float.
{expr} must evaluate to a Float or a Number.
Examples:
:echo log10(1000)
3.0
:echo log10(0.01)
-2.0
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->log10()
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
luaeval({expr} [, {expr}]) luaeval()
Evaluate Lua expression {expr} and return its result converted
to Vim data structures. Second {expr} may hold additional
argument accessible as _A inside first {expr}.
Strings are returned as they are.
Boolean objects are converted to numbers.
Numbers are converted to Float values if vim was compiled
with +float and to numbers otherwise.
Dictionaries and lists obtained by vim.eval() are returned
as-is.
Other objects are returned as zero without any errors.
See lua-luaeval for more details.
Note that in a :def function local variables are not visible
to {expr}.
Can also be used as a method:
GetExpr()->luaeval()
{only available when compiled with the |+lua| feature}
map({expr1}, {expr2}) map()
{expr1} must be a List, Blob or Dictionary.
Replace each item in {expr1} with the result of evaluating
{expr2}. For a Blob each byte is replaced.
If the item type changes you may want to use mapnew() to
create a new List or Dictionary. This is required when using
Vim9 script.
{expr2} must be a string or Funcref.
If {expr2} is a string, inside {expr2} v:val has the value
of the current item. For a Dictionary v:key has the key
of the current item and for a List v:key has the index of
the current item. For a Blob v:key has the index of the
current byte.
Example:
:call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Note that {expr2} is the result of an expression and is then
used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
literal-string to avoid having to double backslashes. You
still have to double ' quotes
If {expr2} is a Funcref it is called with two arguments:
1. The key or the index of the current item.
2. the value of the current item.
The function must return the new value of the item. Example
that changes each value by "key-value":
func KeyValue(key, val)
return a:key . '-' . a:val
endfunc
call map(myDict, function('KeyValue'))
It is shorter when using a lambda:
call map(myDict, {key, val -> key . '-' . val})
If you do not use "val" you can leave it out:
call map(myDict, {key -> 'item: ' . key})
If you do not use "key" you can use a short name:
call map(myDict, {_, val -> 'item: ' . val})
The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first:
:let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' v:val . "\t"')
Returns {expr1}, the List, Blob or Dictionary that was
filtered. When an error is encountered while evaluating
{expr2} no further items in {expr1} are processed. When
{expr2} is a Funcref errors inside a function are ignored,
unless it was defined with the "abort" flag.
Can also be used as a method:
mylist->map(expr2)
maparg({name} [, {mode} [, {abbr} [, {dict}]]]) maparg()
When {dict} is omitted or zero: Return the rhs of mapping
{name} in mode {mode}. The returned String has special
characters translated like in the output of the ":map" command
listing.
When there is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is
returned. When the mapping for {name} is empty, then "<Nop>"
is returned.
The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
command.
{mode} can be one of these strings:
"n" Normal
"v" Visual (including Select)
"o" Operator-pending
"i" Insert
"c" Cmd-line
"s" Select
"x" Visual
"l" langmap language-mapping
"t" Terminal-Job
"" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
When {abbr} is there and it is TRUE use abbreviations
instead of mappings.
When {dict} is there and it is TRUE return a dictionary
containing all the information of the mapping with the
following items:
"lhs" The {lhs} of the mapping as it would be typed
"lhsraw" The {lhs} of the mapping as raw bytes
"lhsrawalt" The {lhs} of the mapping as raw bytes, alternate
form, only present when it differs from "lhsraw"
"rhs" The {rhs} of the mapping as typed.
"silent" 1 for a :map-silent mapping, else 0.
"noremap" 1 if the {rhs} of the mapping is not remappable.
"script" 1 if mapping was defined with <script>.
"expr" 1 for an expression mapping (:map-<expr>).
"buffer" 1 for a buffer local mapping (:map-local).
"mode" Modes for which the mapping is defined. In
addition to the modes mentioned above, these
characters will be used:
" " Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
"!" Insert and Commandline mode
(mapmode-ic)
"sid" The script local ID, used for <sid> mappings
(<SID>).
"lnum" The line number in "sid", zero if unknown.
"nowait" Do not wait for other, longer mappings.
(:map-<nowait>).
The dictionary can be used to restore a mapping with
mapset().
The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
then the global mappings.
This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch:
exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
Can also be used as a method:
GetKey()->maparg('n')
mapcheck({name} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) mapcheck()
Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
{mode}. See maparg() for {mode} and special names in
{name}.
When {abbr} is there and it is TRUE use abbreviations
instead of mappings.
A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc"
mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
mapcheck("ax") yes no no
mapcheck("b") no no no
The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
mapping for {name} exactly.
When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
String is returned. If there is one, the RHS of that mapping
is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
{name}, the RHS of one of them is returned. This will be
"<Nop>" if the RHS is empty.
The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
then the global mappings.
This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
without being ambiguous. Example:
:if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
: map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
:endif
This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
Can also be used as a method:
GetKey()->mapcheck('n')
mapnew({expr1}, {expr2}) mapnew()
Like map() but instead of replacing items in {expr1} a new
List or Dictionary is created and returned. {expr1} remains
unchanged. Items can still be changed by {expr2}, if you
don't want that use deepcopy() first.
mapset({mode}, {abbr}, {dict}) mapset()
Restore a mapping from a dictionary returned by maparg().
{mode} and {abbr} should be the same as for the call to
maparg(). E460
{mode} is used to define the mode in which the mapping is set,
not the "mode" entry in {dict}.
Example for saving and restoring a mapping:
let save_map = maparg('K', 'n', 0, 1)
nnoremap K somethingelse
...
call mapset('n', 0, save_map)
Note that if you are going to replace a map in several modes,
e.g. with :map!, you need to save the mapping for all of
them, since they can differ.
match({expr}, {pat} [, {start} [, {count}]]) match()
When {expr} is a List then this returns the index of the
first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
String, Lists and Dictionaries are used as echoed.
Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
{pat} matches.
A match at the first character or List item returns zero.
If there is no match -1 is returned.
For getting submatches see matchlist().
Example:
:echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
:echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
See string-match for how {pat} is used.
strpbrk()
Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do:
:let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
strcasestr()
Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
"\c" to the pattern to ignore case:
:let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
{start} in a String or item {start} in a List.
The result, however, is still the index counted from the
first character/item. Example:
:echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
result is again "4".
:echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
result is again "4".
:echo match("testing", "t", 2)
result is "3".
For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
{start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
{start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
backwards compatible).
For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
the index is counted from the end.
If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
String or {start} > len({expr}) for a List) -1 is returned.
When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
character further. Thus this example results in 1:
echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
In a List the search continues in the next item.
Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
see above.
See pattern for the patterns that are accepted.
The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
Note that a match at the start is preferred, thus when the
pattern is using "*" (any number of matches) it tends to find
zero matches at the start instead of a number of matches
further down in the text.
Can also be used as a method:
GetList()->match('word')
matchadd() E798 E799 E801 E957
matchadd({group}, {pattern} [, {priority} [, {id} [, {dict}]]])
Defines a pattern to be highlighted in the current window (a
"match"). It will be highlighted with {group}. Returns an
identification number (ID), which can be used to delete the
match using matchdelete(). The ID is bound to the window.
Matching is case sensitive and magic, unless case sensitivity
or magicness are explicitly overridden in {pattern}. The
'magic', 'smartcase' and 'ignorecase' options are not used.
The "Conceal" value is special, it causes the match to be
concealed.
The optional {priority} argument assigns a priority to the
match. A match with a high priority will have its
highlighting overrule that of a match with a lower priority.
A priority is specified as an integer (negative numbers are no
exception). If the {priority} argument is not specified, the
default priority is 10. The priority of 'hlsearch' is zero,
hence all matches with a priority greater than zero will
overrule it. Syntax highlighting (see 'syntax') is a separate
mechanism, and regardless of the chosen priority a match will
always overrule syntax highlighting.
The optional {id} argument allows the request for a specific
match ID. If a specified ID is already taken, an error
message will appear and the match will not be added. An ID
is specified as a positive integer (zero excluded). IDs 1, 2
and 3 are reserved for :match, :2match and :3match,
respectively. If the {id} argument is not specified or -1,
matchadd() automatically chooses a free ID.
The optional {dict} argument allows for further custom
values. Currently this is used to specify a match specific
conceal character that will be shown for hl-Conceal
highlighted matches. The dict can have the following members:
conceal Special character to show instead of the
match (only for hl-Conceal highlighted
matches, see :syn-cchar)
window Instead of the current window use the
window with this number or window ID.
The number of matches is not limited, as it is the case with
the :match commands.
Example:
:highlight MyGroup ctermbg=green guibg=green
:let m = matchadd("MyGroup", "TODO")
Deletion of the pattern:
:call matchdelete(m)
A list of matches defined by matchadd() and :match are
available from getmatches(). All matches can be deleted in
one operation by clearmatches().
Can also be used as a method:
GetGroup()->matchadd('TODO')
matchaddpos()
matchaddpos({group}, {pos} [, {priority} [, {id} [, {dict}]]])
Same as matchadd(), but requires a list of positions {pos}
instead of a pattern. This command is faster than matchadd()
because it does not require to handle regular expressions and
sets buffer line boundaries to redraw screen. It is supposed
to be used when fast match additions and deletions are
required, for example to highlight matching parentheses.
{pos} is a list of positions. Each position can be one of
these:
- A number. This whole line will be highlighted. The first
line has number 1.
- A list with one number, e.g., [23]. The whole line with this
number will be highlighted.
- A list with two numbers, e.g., [23, 11]. The first number is
the line number, the second one is the column number (first
column is 1, the value must correspond to the byte index as
col() would return). The character at this position will
be highlighted.
- A list with three numbers, e.g., [23, 11, 3]. As above, but
the third number gives the length of the highlight in bytes.
The maximum number of positions in {pos} is 8.
Example:
:highlight MyGroup ctermbg=green guibg=green
:let m = matchaddpos("MyGroup", [[23, 24], 34])
Deletion of the pattern:
:call matchdelete(m)
Matches added by matchaddpos() are returned by
getmatches().
Can also be used as a method:
GetGroup()->matchaddpos([23, 11])
matcharg({nr}) matcharg()
Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a :match,
:2match or :3match command.
Return a List with two elements:
The name of the highlight group used
The pattern used.
When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty List.
When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
This is useful to save and restore a :match.
Highlighting matches using the :match commands are limited
to three matches. matchadd() does not have this limitation.
Can also be used as a method:
GetMatch()->matcharg()
matchdelete({id} [, {win}) matchdelete() E802 E803
Deletes a match with ID {id} previously defined by matchadd()
or one of the :match commands. Returns 0 if successful,
otherwise -1. See example for matchadd(). All matches can
be deleted in one operation by clearmatches().
If {win} is specified, use the window with this number or
window ID instead of the current window.
Can also be used as a method:
GetMatch()->matchdelete()
matchend({expr}, {pat} [, {start} [, {count}]]) matchend()
Same as match(), but return the index of first character
after the match. Example:
:echo matchend("testing", "ing")
results in "7".
strspn() strcspn()
Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
do it with matchend():
:let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
:let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match().
:echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
results in "7".
:echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
result is "-1".
When {expr} is a List the result is equal to match().
Can also be used as a method:
GetText()->matchend('word')
matchfuzzy({list}, {str} [, {dict}]) matchfuzzy()
If {list} is a list of strings, then returns a List with all
the strings in {list} that fuzzy match {str}. The strings in
the returned list are sorted based on the matching score.
The optional {dict} argument always supports the following
items:
matchseq When this item is present and {str} contains
multiple words separated by white space, then
returns only matches that contain the words in
the given sequence.
If {list} is a list of dictionaries, then the optional {dict}
argument supports the following additional items:
key key of the item which is fuzzy matched against
{str}. The value of this item should be a
string.
text_cb Funcref that will be called for every item
in {list} to get the text for fuzzy matching.
This should accept a dictionary item as the
argument and return the text for that item to
use for fuzzy matching.
{str} is treated as a literal string and regular expression
matching is NOT supported. The maximum supported {str} length
is 256.
When {str} has multiple words each separated by white space,
then the list of strings that have all the words is returned.
If there are no matching strings or there is an error, then an
empty list is returned. If length of {str} is greater than
256, then returns an empty list.
Refer to fuzzy-match for more information about fuzzy
matching strings.
Example:
:echo matchfuzzy(["clay", "crow"], "cay")
results in ["clay"].
:echo getbufinfo()->map({_, v -> v.name})->matchfuzzy("ndl")
results in a list of buffer names fuzzy matching "ndl".
:echo getbufinfo()->matchfuzzy("ndl", {'key' : 'name'})
results in a list of buffer information dicts with buffer
names fuzzy matching "ndl".
:echo getbufinfo()->matchfuzzy("spl",
\ {'text_cb' : {v -> v.name}})
results in a list of buffer information dicts with buffer
names fuzzy matching "spl".
:echo v:oldfiles->matchfuzzy("test")
results in a list of file names fuzzy matching "test".
:let l = readfile("buffer.c")->matchfuzzy("str")
results in a list of lines in "buffer.c" fuzzy matching "str".
:echo ['one two', 'two one']->matchfuzzy('two one')
results in ['two one', 'one two'].
:echo ['one two', 'two one']->matchfuzzy('two one',
\ {'matchseq': 1})
results in ['two one'].
matchfuzzypos({list}, {str} [, {dict}]) matchfuzzypos()
Same as matchfuzzy(), but returns the list of matched
strings, the list of character positions where characters
in {str} matches and a list of matching scores. You can
use byteidx() to convert a character position to a byte
position.
If {str} matches multiple times in a string, then only the
positions for the best match is returned.
If there are no matching strings or there is an error, then a
list with three empty list items is returned.
Example:
:echo matchfuzzypos(['testing'], 'tsg')
results in [['testing'], [[0, 2, 6]], [99]]
:echo matchfuzzypos(['clay', 'lacy'], 'la')
results in [['lacy', 'clay'], [[0, 1], [1, 2]], [153, 133]]
:echo [{'text': 'hello', 'id' : 10}]->matchfuzzypos('ll', {'key' : 'text'})
results in [[{'id': 10, 'text': 'hello'}], [[2, 3]], [127]]
matchlist({expr}, {pat} [, {start} [, {count}]]) matchlist()
Same as match(), but return a List. The first item in the
list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
in :substitute. When an optional submatch didn't match an
empty string is used. Example:
echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
When there is no match an empty list is returned.
Can also be used as a method:
GetList()->matchlist('word')
matchstr({expr}, {pat} [, {start} [, {count}]]) matchstr()
Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example:
:echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
results in "ing".
When there is no match "" is returned.
The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match().
:echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
results in "ing".
:echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
result is "".
When {expr} is a List then the matching item is returned.
The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Can also be used as a method:
GetText()->matchstr('word')
matchstrpos({expr}, {pat} [, {start} [, {count}]]) matchstrpos()
Same as matchstr(), but return the matched string, the start
position and the end position of the match. Example:
:echo matchstrpos("testing", "ing")
results in ["ing", 4, 7].
When there is no match ["", -1, -1] is returned.
The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match().
:echo matchstrpos("testing", "ing", 2)
results in ["ing", 4, 7].
:echo matchstrpos("testing", "ing", 5)
result is ["", -1, -1].
When {expr} is a List then the matching item, the index
of first item where {pat} matches, the start position and the
end position of the match are returned.
:echo matchstrpos([1, '__x'], '\a')
result is ["x", 1, 2, 3].
The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Can also be used as a method:
GetText()->matchstrpos('word')
max()
max({expr}) Return the maximum value of all items in {expr}. Example:
echo max([apples, pears, oranges])
{expr} can be a List or a Dictionary. For a Dictionary,
it returns the maximum of all values in the Dictionary.
If {expr} is neither a List nor a Dictionary, or one of the
items in {expr} cannot be used as a Number this results in
an error. An empty List or Dictionary results in zero.
Can also be used as a method:
mylist->max()
menu_info({name} [, {mode}])
Return information about the specified menu {name} in
mode {mode}. The menu name should be specified without the
shortcut character ('&').
{mode} can be one of these strings:
"n" Normal
"v" Visual (including Select)
"o" Operator-pending
"i" Insert
"c" Cmd-line
"s" Select
"x" Visual
"t" Terminal-Job
"" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
"!" Insert and Cmd-line
When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Returns a Dictionary containing the following items:
accel menu item accelerator text menu-text
display display name (name without '&')
enabled v:true if this menu item is enabled
Refer to :menu-enable
icon name of the icon file (for toolbar)
toolbar-icon
iconidx index of a built-in icon
modes modes for which the menu is defined. In
addition to the modes mentioned above, these
characters will be used:
" " Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
name menu item name.
noremenu v:true if the {rhs} of the menu item is not
remappable else v:false.
priority menu order priority menu-priority
rhs right-hand-side of the menu item. The returned
string has special characters translated like
in the output of the ":menu" command listing.
When the {rhs} of a menu item is empty, then
"<Nop>" is returned.
script v:true if script-local remapping of {rhs} is
allowed else v:false. See :menu-script.
shortcut shortcut key (character after '&' in
the menu name) menu-shortcut
silent v:true if the menu item is created
with <silent> argument :menu-silent
submenus List containing the names of
all the submenus. Present only if the menu
item has submenus.
Returns an empty dictionary if the menu item is not found.
Examples:
:echo menu_info('Edit.Cut')
:echo menu_info('File.Save', 'n')
Can also be used as a method:
GetMenuName()->menu_info('v')
min()
min({expr}) Return the minimum value of all items in {expr}. Example:
echo min([apples, pears, oranges])
{expr} can be a List or a Dictionary. For a Dictionary,
it returns the minimum of all values in the Dictionary.
If {expr} is neither a List nor a Dictionary, or one of the
items in {expr} cannot be used as a Number this results in
an error. An empty List or Dictionary results in zero.
Can also be used as a method:
mylist->min()
mkdir() E739
mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
Create directory {name}.
If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
the new directory. The default is 0o755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
the user, readable for others). Use 0o700 to make it
unreadable for others. This is only used for the last part of
{name}. Thus if you create /tmp/foo/bar then /tmp/foo will be
created with 0o755.
Example:
:call mkdir($HOME . "/tmp/foo/bar", "p", 0o700)
This function is not available in the sandbox.
There is no error if the directory already exists and the "p"
flag is passed (since patch 8.0.1708). However, without the
"p" option the call will fail.
The function result is a Number, which is TRUE if the call was
successful or FALSE if the directory creation failed or partly
failed.
Not available on all systems. To check use:
:if exists("*mkdir")
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->mkdir()
mode()
mode([expr]) Return a string that indicates the current mode.
If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
a non-empty String (non-zero-arg), then the full mode is
returned, otherwise only the first letter is returned.
Also see state().
n Normal, Terminal-Normal
no Operator-pending
nov Operator-pending (forced characterwise o_v)
noV Operator-pending (forced linewise o_V)
noCTRL-V Operator-pending (forced blockwise o_CTRL-V);
CTRL-V is one character
niI Normal using i_CTRL-O in Insert-mode
niR Normal using i_CTRL-O in Replace-mode
niV Normal using i_CTRL-O in Virtual-Replace-mode
v Visual by character
V Visual by line
CTRL-V Visual blockwise
s Select by character
S Select by line
CTRL-S Select blockwise
vs Visual by character using v_CTRL-O from
Select mode
Vs Visual by line using v_CTRL-O from Select mode
CTRL-Vs Visual blockwise using v_CTRL-O from Select mode
i Insert
ic Insert mode completion compl-generic
ix Insert mode i_CTRL-X completion
R Replace R
Rc Replace mode completion compl-generic
Rv Virtual Replace gR
Rx Replace mode i_CTRL-X completion
c Command-line editing
cv Vim Ex mode gQ
ce Normal Ex mode Q
r Hit-enter prompt
rm The -- more -- prompt
r? A :confirm query of some sort
! Shell or external command is executing
t Terminal-Job mode: keys go to the job
This is useful in the 'statusline' option or when used
with remote_expr() In most other places it always returns
"c" or "n".
Note that in the future more modes and more specific modes may
be added. It's better not to compare the whole string but only
the leading character(s).
Also see visualmode().
Can also be used as a method:
DoFull()->mode()
mzeval({expr}) mzeval()
Evaluate MzScheme expression {expr} and return its result
converted to Vim data structures.
Numbers and strings are returned as they are.
Pairs (including lists and improper lists) and vectors are
returned as Vim Lists.
Hash tables are represented as Vim Dictionary type with keys
converted to strings.
All other types are converted to string with display function.
Examples:
:mz (define l (list 1 2 3))
:mz (define h (make-hash)) (hash-set! h "list" l)
:echo mzeval("l")
:echo mzeval("h")
Note that in a :def function local variables are not visible
to {expr}.
Can also be used as a method:
GetExpr()->mzeval()
{only available when compiled with the |+mzscheme| feature}
nextnonblank({lnum}) nextnonblank()
Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
that is not blank. Example:
if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
below it, zero is returned.
{lnum} is used like with getline().
See also prevnonblank().
Can also be used as a method:
GetLnum()->nextnonblank()
nr2char({expr} [, {utf8}]) nr2char()
Return a string with a single character, which has the number
value {expr}. Examples:
nr2char(64) returns "@"
nr2char(32) returns " "
When {utf8} is omitted or zero, the current 'encoding' is used.
Example for "utf-8":
nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
With {utf8} set to 1, always return utf-8 characters.
Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
string, thus results in an empty string.
To turn a list of character numbers into a string:
let list = [65, 66, 67]
let str = join(map(list, {_, val -> nr2char(val)}), '')
Result: "ABC"
Can also be used as a method:
GetNumber()->nr2char()
or({expr}, {expr}) or()
Bitwise OR on the two arguments. The arguments are converted
to a number. A List, Dict or Float argument causes an error.
Example:
:let bits = or(bits, 0x80)
Can also be used as a method:
:let bits = bits->or(0x80)
pathshorten({expr} [, {len}]) pathshorten()
Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
components in the path are reduced to {len} letters in length.
If {len} is omitted or smaller than 1 then 1 is used (single
letters). Leading '~' and '.' characters are kept. Examples:
:echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
~/.v/a/myfile.vim
:echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim', 2)
~/.vi/au/myfile.vim
It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
Can also be used as a method:
GetDirectories()->pathshorten()
perleval({expr}) perleval()
Evaluate Perl expression {expr} in scalar context and return
its result converted to Vim data structures. If value can't be
converted, it is returned as a string Perl representation.
Note: If you want an array or hash, {expr} must return a
reference to it.
Example:
:echo perleval('[1 .. 4]')
[1, 2, 3, 4]
Note that in a :def function local variables are not visible
to {expr}.
Can also be used as a method:
GetExpr()->perleval()
{only available when compiled with the |+perl| feature}
popup_ functions are documented here: popup-functions
pow({x}, {y}) pow()
Return the power of {x} to the exponent {y} as a Float.
{x} and {y} must evaluate to a Float or a Number.
Examples:
:echo pow(3, 3)
27.0
:echo pow(2, 16)
65536.0
:echo pow(32, 0.20)
2.0
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->pow(3)
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
prevnonblank({lnum}) prevnonblank()
Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
that is not blank. Example:
let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
above it, zero is returned.
{lnum} is used like with getline().
Also see nextnonblank().
Can also be used as a method:
GetLnum()->prevnonblank()
printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) printf()
Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example:
printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
May result in:
" 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas"
When used as a method the base is passed as the second
argument:
Compute()->printf("result: %d")
Often used items are:
%s string
%6S string right-aligned in 6 display cells
%6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
%.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
%c single byte
%d decimal number
%5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
%x hex number
%04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
%X hex number using upper case letters
%o octal number
%08b binary number padded with zeros to at least 8 chars
%f floating point number as 12.23, inf, -inf or nan
%F floating point number as 12.23, INF, -INF or NAN
%e floating point number as 1.23e3, inf, -inf or nan
%E floating point number as 1.23E3, INF, -INF or NAN
%g floating point number, as %f or %e depending on value
%G floating point number, as %F or %E depending on value
%% the % character itself
Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
the result.
The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
arguments appear in sequence:
% [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
flags
Zero or more of the following flags:
# The value should be converted to an "alternate
form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
of the number is increased to force the first
character of the output string to a zero (except
if a zero value is printed with an explicit
precision of zero).
For b and B conversions, a non-zero result has
the string "0b" (or "0B" for B conversions)
prepended to it.
For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
prepended to it.
0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
value is padded on the left with zeros rather
than blanks. If a precision is given with a
numeric conversion (d, b, B, o, x, and X), the 0
flag is ignored.
- A negative field width flag; the converted value
is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
The converted value is padded on the right with
blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
number produced by a signed conversion (d).
+ A sign must always be placed before a number
produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
a space if both are used.
field-width
An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
been given) to fill out the field width.
.precision
An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
For floating point it is the number of digits after
the decimal point.
type
A character that specifies the type of conversion to
be applied, see below.
A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
treated as though it were missing. Example:
:echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
"width" bytes.
The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
printf-d printf-b printf-B printf-o
printf-x printf-X
dbBoxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
(d), unsigned binary (b and B), unsigned octal (o), or
unsigned hexadecimal (x and X) notation. The letters
"abcdef" are used for x conversions; the letters
"ABCDEF" are used for X conversions.
The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
digits that must appear; if the converted value
requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
zeros.
In no case does a non-existent or small field width
cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
is expanded to contain the conversion result.
The 'h' modifier indicates the argument is 16 bits.
The 'l' modifier indicates the argument is 32 bits.
The 'L' modifier indicates the argument is 64 bits.
Generally, these modifiers are not useful. They are
ignored when type is known from the argument.
i alias for d
D alias for ld
U alias for lu
O alias for lo
printf-c
c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
resulting character is written.
printf-s
s The text of the String argument is used. If a
precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
specified are used.
If the argument is not a String type, it is
automatically converted to text with the same format
as ":echo".
printf-S
S The text of the String argument is used. If a
precision is specified, no more display cells than the
number specified are used.
printf-f E807
f F The Float argument is converted into a string of the
form 123.456. The precision specifies the number of
digits after the decimal point. When the precision is
zero the decimal point is omitted. When the precision
is not specified 6 is used. A really big number
(out of range or dividing by zero) results in "inf"
or "-inf" with %f (INF or -INF with %F).
"0.0 / 0.0" results in "nan" with %f (NAN with %F).
Example:
echo printf("%.2f", 12.115)
12.12
Note that roundoff depends on the system libraries.
Use round() when in doubt.
printf-e printf-E
e E The Float argument is converted into a string of the
form 1.234e+03 or 1.234E+03 when using 'E'. The
precision specifies the number of digits after the
decimal point, like with 'f'.
printf-g printf-G
g G The Float argument is converted like with 'f' if the
value is between 0.001 (inclusive) and 10000000.0
(exclusive). Otherwise 'e' is used for 'g' and 'E'
for 'G'. When no precision is specified superfluous
zeroes and '+' signs are removed, except for the zero
immediately after the decimal point. Thus 10000000.0
results in 1.0e7.
printf-%
% A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
complete conversion specification is "%%".
When a Number argument is expected a String argument is also
accepted and automatically converted.
When a Float or String argument is expected a Number argument
is also accepted and automatically converted.
Any other argument type results in an error message.
E766 E767
The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
prompt_getprompt({buf}) prompt_getprompt()
Returns the effective prompt text for buffer {buf}. {buf} can
be a buffer name or number. See prompt-buffer.
If the buffer doesn't exist or isn't a prompt buffer, an empty
string is returned.
Can also be used as a method:
GetBuffer()->prompt_getprompt()
{only available when compiled with the |+channel| feature}
prompt_setcallback({buf}, {expr}) prompt_setcallback()
Set prompt callback for buffer {buf} to {expr}. When {expr}
is an empty string the callback is removed. This has only
effect if {buf} has 'buftype' set to "prompt".
The callback is invoked when pressing Enter. The current
buffer will always be the prompt buffer. A new line for a
prompt is added before invoking the callback, thus the prompt
for which the callback was invoked will be in the last but one
line.
If the callback wants to add text to the buffer, it must
insert it above the last line, since that is where the current
prompt is. This can also be done asynchronously.
The callback is invoked with one argument, which is the text
that was entered at the prompt. This can be an empty string
if the user only typed Enter.
Example:
call prompt_setcallback(bufnr(), function('s:TextEntered'))
func s:TextEntered(text)
if a:text == 'exit' || a:text == 'quit'
stopinsert
close
else
call append(line('$') - 1, 'Entered: "' . a:text . '"')
" Reset 'modified' to allow the buffer to be closed.
set nomodified
endif
endfunc
Can also be used as a method:
GetBuffer()->prompt_setcallback(callback)
{only available when compiled with the |+channel| feature}
prompt_setinterrupt({buf}, {expr}) prompt_setinterrupt()
Set a callback for buffer {buf} to {expr}. When {expr} is an
empty string the callback is removed. This has only effect if
{buf} has 'buftype' set to "prompt".
This callback will be invoked when pressing CTRL-C in Insert
mode. Without setting a callback Vim will exit Insert mode,
as in any buffer.
Can also be used as a method:
GetBuffer()->prompt_setinterrupt(callback)
{only available when compiled with the |+channel| feature}
prompt_setprompt({buf}, {text}) prompt_setprompt()
Set prompt for buffer {buf} to {text}. You most likely want
{text} to end in a space.
The result is only visible if {buf} has 'buftype' set to
"prompt". Example:
call prompt_setprompt(bufnr(), 'command: ')
Can also be used as a method:
GetBuffer()->prompt_setprompt('command: ')
{only available when compiled with the |+channel| feature}
prop_ functions are documented here: text-prop-functions
pum_getpos() pum_getpos()
If the popup menu (see ins-completion-menu) is not visible,
returns an empty Dictionary, otherwise, returns a
Dictionary with the following keys:
height nr of items visible
width screen cells
row top screen row (0 first row)
col leftmost screen column (0 first col)
size total nr of items
scrollbar TRUE if scrollbar is visible
The values are the same as in v:event during
CompleteChanged.
pumvisible() pumvisible()
Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
otherwise. See ins-completion-menu.
This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
popup menu.
py3eval({expr}) py3eval()
Evaluate Python expression {expr} and return its result
converted to Vim data structures.
Numbers and strings are returned as they are (strings are
copied though, Unicode strings are additionally converted to
'encoding').
Lists are represented as Vim List type.
Dictionaries are represented as Vim Dictionary type with
keys converted to strings.
Note that in a :def function local variables are not visible
to {expr}.
Can also be used as a method:
GetExpr()->py3eval()
{only available when compiled with the |+python3| feature}
E858 E859
pyeval({expr}) pyeval()
Evaluate Python expression {expr} and return its result
converted to Vim data structures.
Numbers and strings are returned as they are (strings are
copied though).
Lists are represented as Vim List type.
Dictionaries are represented as Vim Dictionary type,
non-string keys result in error.
Note that in a :def function local variables are not visible
to {expr}.
Can also be used as a method:
GetExpr()->pyeval()
{only available when compiled with the |+python| feature}
pyxeval({expr}) pyxeval()
Evaluate Python expression {expr} and return its result
converted to Vim data structures.
Uses Python 2 or 3, see python_x and 'pyxversion'.
See also: pyeval(), py3eval()
Can also be used as a method:
GetExpr()->pyxeval()
{only available when compiled with the +python or the
+python3 feature}
E726 E727
range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) range()
Returns a List with Numbers:
- If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
- If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
- If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
{max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
producing a value past {max}).
When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
start this is an error.
Examples:
range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
range(0) " []
range(2, 0) " error!
Can also be used as a method:
GetExpr()->range()
rand([{expr}]) rand() random
Return a pseudo-random Number generated with an xoshiro128**
algorithm using seed {expr}. The returned number is 32 bits,
also on 64 bits systems, for consistency.
{expr} can be initialized by srand() and will be updated by
rand(). If {expr} is omitted, an internal seed value is used
and updated.
Examples:
:echo rand()
:let seed = srand()
:echo rand(seed)
:echo rand(seed) % 16 " random number 0 - 15
readblob({fname}) readblob()
Read file {fname} in binary mode and return a Blob.
When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
the result is an empty Blob.
Also see readfile() and writefile().
readdir({directory} [, {expr} [, {dict}]]) readdir()
Return a list with file and directory names in {directory}.
You can also use glob() if you don't need to do complicated
things, such as limiting the number of matches.
The list will be sorted (case sensitive), see the {dict}
argument below for changing the sort order.
When {expr} is omitted all entries are included.
When {expr} is given, it is evaluated to check what to do:
If {expr} results in -1 then no further entries will
be handled.
If {expr} results in 0 then this entry will not be
added to the list.
If {expr} results in 1 then this entry will be added
to the list.
The entries "." and ".." are always excluded.
Each time {expr} is evaluated v:val is set to the entry name.
When {expr} is a function the name is passed as the argument.
For example, to get a list of files ending in ".txt":
readdir(dirname, {n -> n =~ '.txt$'})
To skip hidden and backup files:
readdir(dirname, {n -> n !~ '^\.\|\~$'})
The optional {dict} argument allows for further custom
values. Currently this is used to specify if and how sorting
should be performed. The dict can have the following members:
sort How to sort the result returned from the system.
Valid values are:
"none" do not sort (fastest method)
"case" sort case sensitive (byte value of
each character, technically, using
strcmp()) (default)
"icase" sort case insensitive (technically
using strcasecmp())
"collate" sort using the collation order
of the "POSIX" or "C" locale
(technically using strcoll())
Other values are silently ignored.
For example, to get a list of all files in the current
directory without sorting the individual entries:
readdir('.', '1', #{sort: 'none'})
If you want to get a directory tree:
function! s:tree(dir)
return {a:dir : map(readdir(a:dir),
\ {_, x -> isdirectory(x) ?
\ {x : s:tree(a:dir . '/' . x)} : x})}
endfunction
echo s:tree(".")
Can also be used as a method:
GetDirName()->readdir()
readdirex({directory} [, {expr} [, {dict}]]) readdirex()
Extended version of readdir().
Return a list of Dictionaries with file and directory
information in {directory}.
This is useful if you want to get the attributes of file and
directory at the same time as getting a list of a directory.
This is much faster than calling readdir() then calling
getfperm(), getfsize(), getftime() and getftype() for
each file and directory especially on MS-Windows.
The list will by default be sorted by name (case sensitive),
the sorting can be changed by using the optional {dict}
argument, see readdir().
The Dictionary for file and directory information has the
following items:
group Group name of the entry. (Only on Unix)
name Name of the entry.
perm Permissions of the entry. See getfperm().
size Size of the entry. See getfsize().
time Timestamp of the entry. See getftime().
type Type of the entry.
On Unix, almost same as getftype() except:
Symlink to a dir "linkd"
Other symlink "link"
On MS-Windows:
Normal file "file"
Directory "dir"
Junction "junction"
Symlink to a dir "linkd"
Other symlink "link"
Other reparse point "reparse"
user User name of the entry's owner. (Only on Unix)
On Unix, if the entry is a symlink, the Dictionary includes
the information of the target (except the "type" item).
On MS-Windows, it includes the information of the symlink
itself because of performance reasons.
When {expr} is omitted all entries are included.
When {expr} is given, it is evaluated to check what to do:
If {expr} results in -1 then no further entries will
be handled.
If {expr} results in 0 then this entry will not be
added to the list.
If {expr} results in 1 then this entry will be added
to the list.
The entries "." and ".." are always excluded.
Each time {expr} is evaluated v:val is set to a Dictionary
of the entry.
When {expr} is a function the entry is passed as the argument.
For example, to get a list of files ending in ".txt":
readdirex(dirname, {e -> e.name =~ '.txt$'})
For example, to get a list of all files in the current
directory without sorting the individual entries:
readdirex(dirname, '1', #{sort: 'none'})
Can also be used as a method:
GetDirName()->readdirex()
readfile()
readfile({fname} [, {type} [, {max}]])
Read file {fname} and return a List, each line of the file
as an item. Lines are broken at NL characters. Macintosh
files separated with CR will result in a single long line
(unless a NL appears somewhere).
All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
When {type} contains "b" binary mode is used:
- When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
added.
- No CR characters are removed.
Otherwise:
- CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
- Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
- When 'encoding' is Unicode any UTF-8 byte order mark is
removed from the text.
When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
lines of a file:
:for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
: if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
:endfor
When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
are returned, or as many as there are.
When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
file into a buffer if you need to.
Deprecated (use readblob() instead): When {type} contains
"B" a Blob is returned with the binary data of the file
unmodified.
When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
the result is an empty list.
Also see writefile().
Can also be used as a method:
GetFileName()->readfile()
reduce({object}, {func} [, {initial}]) reduce() E998
{func} is called for every item in {object}, which can be a
List or a Blob. {func} is called with two arguments: the
result so far and current item. After processing all items
the result is returned.
{initial} is the initial result. When omitted, the first item
in {object} is used and {func} is first called for the second
item. If {initial} is not given and {object} is empty no
result can be computed, an E998 error is given.
Examples:
echo reduce([1, 3, 5], { acc, val -> acc + val })
echo reduce(['x', 'y'], { acc, val -> acc .. val }, 'a')
echo reduce(0z1122, { acc, val -> 2 * acc + val })
Can also be used as a method:
echo mylist->reduce({ acc, val -> acc + val }, 0)
reg_executing() reg_executing()
Returns the single letter name of the register being executed.
Returns an empty string when no register is being executed.
See @.
reg_recording() reg_recording()
Returns the single letter name of the register being recorded.
Returns an empty string when not recording. See q.
reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) reltime()
Return an item that represents a time value. The item is a
list with items that depend on the system. In Vim 9 script
list<any> can be used.
The item can be passed to reltimestr() to convert it to a
string or reltimefloat() to convert to a Float.
Without an argument reltime() returns the current time.
With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
specified in the argument.
With two arguments it returns the time passed between {start}
and {end}.
The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
reltime(). If there is an error zero is returned in legacy
script, in Vim9 script an error is given.
Can also be used as a method:
GetStart()->reltime()
{only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
reltimefloat({time}) reltimefloat()
Return a Float that represents the time value of {time}.
Example:
let start = reltime()
call MyFunction()
let seconds = reltimefloat(reltime(start))
See the note of reltimestr() about overhead.
Also see profiling.
If there is an error 0.0 is returned in legacy script, in Vim9
script an error is given.
Can also be used as a method:
reltime(start)->reltimefloat()
{only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
reltimestr({time}) reltimestr()
Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
microseconds. Example:
let start = reltime()
call MyFunction()
echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
The accuracy depends on the system.
Leading spaces are used to make the string align nicely. You
can use split() to remove it.
echo split(reltimestr(reltime(start)))[0]
Also see profiling.
If there is an error an empty string is returned in legacy
script, in Vim9 script an error is given.
Can also be used as a method:
reltime(start)->reltimestr()
{only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
remote_expr() E449
remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar} [, {timeout}]])
Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
The result must be a String or a List. A List is turned
into a String by joining the items with a line break in
between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
If {idvar} is present and not empty, it is taken as the name
of a variable and a {serverid} for later use with
remote_read() is stored there.
If {timeout} is given the read times out after this many
seconds. Otherwise a timeout of 600 seconds is used.
See also clientserver RemoteReply.
This function is not available in the sandbox.
{only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
and the result will be the empty string.
Variables will be evaluated in the global namespace,
independent of a function currently being active. Except
when in debug mode, then local function variables and
arguments can be evaluated.
Examples:
:echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
:echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
Can also be used as a method:
ServerName()->remote_expr(expr)
remote_foreground({server}) remote_foreground()
Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
This works like:
remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
to bring itself to the foreground.
Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
like foreground() does.
This function is not available in the sandbox.
Can also be used as a method:
ServerName()->remote_foreground()
{only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
Win32 console version}
remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) remote_peek()
Returns a positive number if there are available strings
from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
{retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
name of a variable.
Returns zero if none are available.
Returns -1 if something is wrong.
See also clientserver.
This function is not available in the sandbox.
{only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
Examples:
:let repl = ""
:echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
Can also be used as a method:
ServerId()->remote_peek()
remote_read({serverid}, [{timeout}]) remote_read()
Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
it. Unless a {timeout} in seconds is given, it blocks until a
reply is available.
See also clientserver.
This function is not available in the sandbox.
{only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
Example:
:echo remote_read(id)
Can also be used as a method:
ServerId()->remote_read()
remote_send() E241
remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
the keys are not mapped :map.
If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
there.
See also clientserver RemoteReply.
This function is not available in the sandbox.
{only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
up the display.
Examples:
:echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
\ remote_read(serverid)
:autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
\ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
:echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
\ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Can also be used as a method:
ServerName()->remote_send(keys)
remote_startserver() E941 E942
remote_startserver({name})
Become the server {name}. This fails if already running as a
server, when v:servername is not empty.
Can also be used as a method:
ServerName()->remote_startserver()
{only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) remove()
Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from List {list} and
return the item.
With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
return a List with these items. When {idx} points to the same
item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
See list-index for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Example:
:echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
:call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Use delete() to remove a file.
Can also be used as a method:
mylist->remove(idx)
remove({blob}, {idx} [, {end}])
Without {end}: Remove the byte at {idx} from Blob {blob} and
return the byte.
With {end}: Remove bytes from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
return a Blob with these bytes. When {idx} points to the same
byte as {end} a Blob with one byte is returned. When {end}
points to a byte before {idx} this is an error.
Example:
:echo "last byte: " . remove(myblob, -1)
:call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
remove({dict}, {key})
Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key} and return it.
Example:
:echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
rename({from}, {to}) rename()
Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
should also work to move files across file systems. The
result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
NOTE: If {to} exists it is overwritten without warning.
This function is not available in the sandbox.
Can also be used as a method:
GetOldName()->rename(newname)
repeat({expr}, {count}) repeat()
Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
result. Example:
:let separator = repeat('-', 80)
When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
When {expr} is a List the result is {expr} concatenated
{count} times. Example:
:let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Can also be used as a method:
mylist->repeat(count)
resolve({filename}) resolve() E655
On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
When {filename} is a symbolic link or junction point, return
the full path to the target. If the target of junction is
removed, return {filename}.
On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
stopped after 100 iterations.
On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
The simplification step is done as by simplify().
resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
current directory (provided the result is still a relative
path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->resolve()
reverse({object}) reverse()
Reverse the order of items in {object} in-place.
{object} can be a List or a Blob.
Returns {object}.
If you want an object to remain unmodified make a copy first:
:let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
Can also be used as a method:
mylist->reverse()
round({expr}) round()
Round off {expr} to the nearest integral value and return it
as a Float. If {expr} lies halfway between two integral
values, then use the larger one (away from zero).
{expr} must evaluate to a Float or a Number.
Examples:
echo round(0.456)
0.0
echo round(4.5)
5.0
echo round(-4.5)
-5.0
Can also be used as a method:
Compute()->round()
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
rubyeval({expr}) rubyeval()
Evaluate Ruby expression {expr} and return its result
converted to Vim data structures.
Numbers, floats and strings are returned as they are (strings
are copied though).
Arrays are represented as Vim List type.
Hashes are represented as Vim Dictionary type.
Other objects are represented as strings resulted from their
"Object#to_s" method.
Note that in a :def function local variables are not visible
to {expr}.
Can also be used as a method:
GetRubyExpr()->rubyeval()
{only available when compiled with the |+ruby| feature}
screenattr({row}, {col}) screenattr()
Like screenchar(), but return the attribute. This is a rather
arbitrary number that can only be used to compare to the
attribute at other positions.
Can also be used as a method:
GetRow()->screenattr(col)
screenchar({row}, {col}) screenchar()
The result is a Number, which is the character at position
[row, col] on the screen. This works for every possible
screen position, also status lines, window separators and the
command line. The top left position is row one, column one
The character excludes composing characters. For double-byte
encodings it may only be the first byte.
This is mainly to be used for testing.
Returns -1 when row or col is out of range.
Can also be used as a method:
GetRow()->screenchar(col)
screenchars({row}, {col}) screenchars()
The result is a List of Numbers. The first number is the same
as what screenchar() returns. Further numbers are
composing characters on top of the base character.
This is mainly to be used for testing.
Returns an empty List when row or col is out of range.
Can also be used as a method:
GetRow()->screenchars(col)
screencol() screencol()
The result is a Number, which is the current screen column of
the cursor. The leftmost column has number 1.
This function is mainly used for testing.
Note: Always returns the current screen column, thus if used
in a command (e.g. ":echo screencol()") it will return the
column inside the command line, which is 1 when the command is
executed. To get the cursor position in the file use one of
the following mappings:
nnoremap <expr> GG ":echom ".screencol()."\n"
nnoremap <silent> GG :echom screencol()<CR>
nnoremap GG <Cmd>echom screencol()<CR>
screenpos({winid}, {lnum}, {col}) screenpos()
The result is a Dict with the screen position of the text
character in window {winid} at buffer line {lnum} and column
{col}. {col} is a one-based byte index.
The Dict has these members:
row screen row
col first screen column
endcol last screen column
curscol cursor screen column
If the specified position is not visible, all values are zero.
The "endcol" value differs from "col" when the character
occupies more than one screen cell. E.g. for a Tab "col" can
be 1 and "endcol" can be 8.
The "curscol" value is where the cursor would be placed. For
a Tab it would be the same as "endcol", while for a double
width character it would be the same as "col".
The conceal feature is ignored here, the column numbers are
as if 'conceallevel' is zero. You can set the cursor to the
right position and use screencol() to get the value with
conceal taken into account.
Can also be used as a method:
GetWinid()->screenpos(lnum, col)
screenrow() screenrow()
The result is a Number, which is the current screen row of the
cursor. The top line has number one.
This function is mainly used for testing.
Alternatively you can use winline().
Note: Same restrictions as with screencol().
screenstring({row}, {col}) screenstring()
The result is a String that contains the base character and
any composing characters at position [row, col] on the screen.
This is like screenchars() but returning a String with the
characters.
This is mainly to be used for testing.
Returns an empty String when row or col is out of range.
Can also be used as a method:
GetRow()->screenstring(col)
search()
search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout} [, {skip}]]]])
Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
cursor position (you can use cursor() to set it).
When a match has been found its line number is returned.
If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
move. No error message is given.
{flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
'b' search Backward instead of forward
'c' accept a match at the Cursor position
'e' move to the End of the match
'n' do Not move the cursor
'p' return number of matching sub-Pattern (see below)
's' Set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
'w' Wrap around the end of the file
'W' don't Wrap around the end of the file
'z' start searching at the cursor column instead of zero
If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
flag.
'ignorecase', 'smartcase' and 'magic' are used.
When the 'z' flag is not given, forward searching always
starts in column zero and then matches before the cursor are
skipped. When the 'c' flag is present in 'cpo' the next
search starts after the match. Without the 'c' flag the next
search starts one column further. This matters for
overlapping matches.
When searching backwards and the 'z' flag is given then the
search starts in column zero, thus no match in the current
line will be found (unless wrapping around the end of the
file).
When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
search to a range of lines. Examples:
let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
A zero value is equal to not giving the argument.
When the {timeout} argument is given the search stops when
more than this many milliseconds have passed. Thus when
{timeout} is 500 the search stops after half a second.
The value must not be negative. A zero value is like not
giving the argument.
{only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
If the {skip} expression is given it is evaluated with the
cursor positioned on the start of a match. If it evaluates to
non-zero this match is skipped. This can be used, for
example, to skip a match in a comment or a string.
{skip} can be a string, which is evaluated as an expression, a
function reference or a lambda.
When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
and -1 returned.
search()-sub-match
With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
whole pattern did match.
To get the column number too use searchpos().
The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
flag is used.
Example (goes over all files in the argument list):
:let n = 1
:while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
: exe "argument " . n
: " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
: " first search to find match at start of file
: normal G$
: let flags = "w"
: while search("foo", flags) > 0
: s/foo/bar/g
: let flags = "W"
: endwhile
: update " write the file if modified
: let n = n + 1
:endwhile
Example for using some flags:
:echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
line:
if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif
the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
Can also be used as a method:
GetPattern()->search()
searchcount([{options}]) searchcount()
Get or update the last search count, like what is displayed
without the "S" flag in 'shortmess'. This works even if
'shortmess' does contain the "S" flag.
This returns a Dictionary. The dictionary is empty if the
previous pattern was not set and "pattern" was not specified.
key type meaning
current Number current position of match;
0 if the cursor position is
before the first match
exact_match Boolean 1 if "current" is matched on
"pos", otherwise 0
total Number total count of matches found
incomplete Number 0: search was fully completed
1: recomputing was timed out
2: max count exceeded
For {options} see further down.
To get the last search count when n or N was pressed, call
this function with `recompute: 0` . This sometimes returns
wrong information because n and N's maximum count is 99.
If it exceeded 99 the result must be max count + 1 (100). If
you want to get correct information, specify `recompute: 1`:
" result == maxcount + 1 (100) when many matches
let result = searchcount(#{recompute: 0})
" Below returns correct result (recompute defaults
" to 1)
let result = searchcount()
The function is useful to add the count to statusline:
function! LastSearchCount() abort
let result = searchcount(#{recompute: 0})
if empty(result)
return ''
endif
if result.incomplete ==# 1 " timed out
return printf(' /%s [?/??]', @/)
elseif result.incomplete ==# 2 " max count exceeded
if result.total > result.maxcount &&
\ result.current > result.maxcount
return printf(' /%s [>%d/>%d]', @/,
\ result.current, result.total)
elseif result.total > result.maxcount
return printf(' /%s [%d/>%d]', @/,
\ result.current, result.total)
endif
endif
return printf(' /%s [%d/%d]', @/,
\ result.current, result.total)
endfunction
let &statusline .= '%{LastSearchCount()}'
" Or if you want to show the count only when
" 'hlsearch' was on
" let &statusline .=
" \ '%{v:hlsearch ? LastSearchCount() : ""}'
You can also update the search count, which can be useful in a
CursorMoved or CursorMovedI autocommand:
autocmd CursorMoved,CursorMovedI *
\ let s:searchcount_timer = timer_start(
\ 200, function('s:update_searchcount'))
function! s:update_searchcount(timer) abort
if a:timer ==# s:searchcount_timer
call searchcount(#{
\ recompute: 1, maxcount: 0, timeout: 100})
redrawstatus
endif
endfunction
This can also be used to count matched texts with specified
pattern in the current buffer using "pattern":
" Count '\<foo\>' in this buffer
" (Note that it also updates search count)
let result = searchcount(#{pattern: '\<foo\>'})
" To restore old search count by old pattern,
" search again
call searchcount()
{options} must be a Dictionary. It can contain:
key type meaning
recompute Boolean if TRUE, recompute the count
like n or N was executed.
otherwise returns the last
computed result (when n or
N was used when "S" is not
in 'shortmess', or this
function was called).
(default: TRUE)
pattern String recompute if this was given
and different with @/.
this works as same as the
below command is executed
before calling this function
let @/ = pattern
(default: @/)
timeout Number 0 or negative number is no
timeout. timeout milliseconds
for recomputing the result
(default: 0)
maxcount Number 0 or negative number is no
limit. max count of matched
text while recomputing the
result. if search exceeded
total count, "total" value
becomes `maxcount + 1`
(default: 99)
pos List `[lnum, col, off]` value
when recomputing the result.
this changes "current" result
value. see cursor(),
getpos()
(default: cursor's position)
searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) searchdecl()
Search for the declaration of {name}.
With a non-zero {global} argument it works like gD, find
first match in the file. Otherwise it works like gd, find
first match in the function.
With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
Moves the cursor to the found match.
Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
Example:
if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
echo getline('.')
endif
Can also be used as a method:
GetName()->searchdecl()
searchpair()
searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
[, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
given.
{start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see pattern. They
must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
{middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
typical use is:
searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
{flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
search(). Additionally:
'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
outer pair. Implies the 'W' flag.
'm' Return number of matches instead of line number with
the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Note: it's nearly always a good idea to use the 'W' flag, to
avoid wrapping around the end of the file.
When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
{skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
or a string.
When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
and -1 returned.
{skip} can be a string, a lambda, a funcref or a partial.
Anything else makes the function fail.
In a :def function when the {skip} argument is a string
constant it is compiled into instructions.
For {stopline} and {timeout} see search().
The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
patterns are used like it's on.
The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
{start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
direction of searching, is the first one found. Example:
if 1
if 2
endif 2
endif 1
When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
"endif 2".
When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
the matching start.
Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script:
:echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
\ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
match.
Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}":
:echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
highlighting recognized as strings:
:echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
\ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
searchpairpos()
searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
[, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Same as searchpair(), but returns a List with the line and
column position of the match. The first element of the List
is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
the column position of the match. If no match is found,
returns [0, 0].
:let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
See match-parens for a bigger and more useful example.
searchpos()
searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout} [, {skip}]]]])
Same as search(), but returns a List with the line and
column position of the match. The first element of the List
is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
the column position of the match. If no match is found,
returns [0, 0].
Example:
:let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
the sub-pattern match number search()-sub-match. Example:
:let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
found /\l, 3 when an uppercase letter is found /\u.
Can also be used as a method:
GetPattern()->searchpos()
server2client({clientid}, {string}) server2client()
Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
{only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
Note:
This id has to be stored before the next command can be
received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
before calling any commands that waits for input.
See also clientserver.
Example:
:echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
Can also be used as a method:
GetClientId()->server2client(string)
serverlist() serverlist()
Return a list of available server names, one per line.
When there are no servers or the information is not available
an empty string is returned. See also clientserver.
{only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
Example:
:echo serverlist()
setbufline({expr}, {lnum}, {text}) setbufline()
Set line {lnum} to {text} in buffer {expr}. This works like
setline() for the specified buffer.
This function works only for loaded buffers. First call
bufload() if needed.
To insert lines use appendbufline().
Any text properties in {lnum} are cleared.
{text} can be a string to set one line, or a list of strings
to set multiple lines. If the list extends below the last
line then those lines are added.
For the use of {expr}, see bufname() above.
{lnum} is used like with setline().
When {lnum} is just below the last line the {text} will be
added below the last line.
When {expr} is not a valid buffer, the buffer is not loaded or
{lnum} is not valid then 1 is returned. On success 0 is
returned.
Can also be used as a