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Eval

This document provides information about expression evaluation in Vim script, including details about variables, data types, functions, and exceptions. It covers the basics of numbers, strings, lists, dictionaries, function references, and other variable types. It also discusses type conversion, boolean logic, and defining and calling functions in expressions.

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Eval

Uploaded by

Neikos Tenkosei

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eval.txt For Vim version 8.2.

Last change: 2020 May 25

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|.

Testing support is documented in |testing.txt|.

Profiling is documented at |profiling|.

==============================================================================
1. Variables *variables*

1.1 Variable types ~

*E712* *E896* *E897* *E899*
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 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 is done by converting the first digits to
a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9", Octal "017", and Binary "0b10" numbers are
recognized (NOTE: when using |scriptversion-4| octal is not recognized). 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 "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|. 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")
<
*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.

E745 E728 E703 E729 E730 E731 E908 E910 E913

*E974* *E975* *E976*
|List|, |Dictionary|, |Funcref|, |Job|, |Channel| and |Blob| types are not
automatically converted.

E805 E806 E808

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.

E891 E892 E893 E894 E907 E911 E914

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()
< *E704* *E705* *E707*
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 ~
*E696* *E697*
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 ~

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 see |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

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. A variable is set
to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
: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

List functions ~
*E714*
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 ~
*E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
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 = {}
< *E713* *E716* *E717*
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()

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 ~

*E715*
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| 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

|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 E109

-----

expr2 ? expr1 : expr1

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".

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.

*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

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 |Funcref|s.

. 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.

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*
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, expr1 as a
Number. This doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings, see `byteidx()` for
an alternative, or use `split()` to turn the string into a list of characters.

Index zero gives the first byte. This is like it works in C. Careful:
text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the byte under the
cursor: >
:let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]

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.

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 Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
expr1b are used as a Number. This doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings, see
|byteidx()| for computing the indexes.

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[-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*
*hex-number* *octal-number* *binary-number*

Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), Binary (starting with 0b or 0B)

and Octal (starting with 0).

*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()
< error function
*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 how execute() is used to execute an Ex command. That's ugly though.

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.

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

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
<
*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: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: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: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_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: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()|.
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: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: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.
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: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
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})
Number assert file contents is equal
assert_exception({error} [, {msg}])
Number assert {error} is in v:exception
assert_fails({cmd} [, {error} [, {msg}]])
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_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
asin({expr}) Float arc sine of {expr}
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}
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 nr 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}
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
extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
exp({expr}) Float exponential of {expr}
expand({expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list}]])
any expand special keywords in {expr}
expandcmd({expr}) String expand {expr} like with `:edit`
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}
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
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 get one character from the user
getcharmod() Number modifiers for the last typed character
getcharsearch() Dict last character search
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() List 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} [, {what}]) List list of location list items
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([{what}]) List list of quickfix items
getreg([{regname} [, 1 [, {list}]]])
String or List contents of register
getregtype([{regname}]) String type of 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}
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
hlexists({name}) Number |TRUE| if highlight group {name} exists
hlID({name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
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}
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}
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}) 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 al 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_show({id}) none unhide popup window {id}
popup_setoptions({id}, {options})
none set options for popup window {id}
popup_settext({id}, {text}) none set the text of 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_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
pyeval({expr}) any evaluate |Python| expression
py3eval({expr}) any evaluate |python3| 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}
readdir({dir} [, {expr}]) List file names in {dir} selected by {expr}
readfile({fname} [, {type} [, {max}]])
List get list of lines from file {fname}
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}]]])
Number search for {pattern}
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}]]])
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}
setcharsearch({dict}) Dict set character search from {dict}
setcmdpos({pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
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} [, {what}]])
Number modify location list using {list}
setmatches({list} [, {win}]) Number restore a list of matches
setpos({expr}, {list}) Number set the {expr} position to {list}
setqflist({list} [, {action} [, {what}]])
Number modify quickfix list using {list}
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}
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
strchars({expr} [, {skipcc}]) Number character length of the String {expr}
strcharpart({str}, {start} [, {len}])
String {len} characters of {str} at {start}
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}])
String {len} characters of {str} at {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
taglist({expr} [, {filename}]) List list of tags matching {expr}
tagfiles() List tags files used
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_setapi({buf}, {expr}) none set |terminal-api| function name prefix
term_setansicolors({buf}, {colors})
none set ANSI palette in GUI color mode
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
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_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_unknown() any unknown value for testing
test_void() any void 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_srand_seed([seed]) none set seed for testing srand()
test_settime({expr}) none set current time 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({name}) Number type of variable {name}
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.
{lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
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: >

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: >
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, as it is displayed by the
":ls" command.
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 not zero, 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 returns zero.
This function is only useful when there are multibyte
characters, otherwise 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 different 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("Ã¡") returns 225
char2nr("Ã¡"[0]) returns 195
< With {utf8} set to 1, 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()

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 "$", to get
the last column of a specific line. When "lnum" or "col" is
out of range then col() returns zero.
To get the line number use |line()|. To get both use
|getpos()|.
For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
Examples: >
col(".") column of cursor
col("$") 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)
inserted Inserted string. [NOT IMPLEMENT YET]

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.

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 |method|in: >

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.

Does not change the jumplist.

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 if the delete operation was

successful and -1 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)

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 |Funcref|s 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.

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. 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
<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
<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 item
{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)

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 typehead 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()->filewriteable()

filter({expr1}, {expr2}) filter()

{expr1} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
For each item in {expr1} evaluate {expr2} and when the result
is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
{expr2} must be a |string| or |Funcref|.

If {expr2} is a |string|, inside {expr2} |v:val| has the value

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| 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()

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
< 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.

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.

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.

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}

*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()* *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.
Can also be 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.
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.
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

*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 current line number in buffer.
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-ID|s that display this
buffer
popups list of popup |window-ID|s 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')

<
*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.
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.

There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the

user that a character has to be typed.
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.

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()|.

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)
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 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() 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 |getpos()|.
The first "bufnum" item is always zero.

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.
*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.

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 retuned List is a |Dict| with the following:

name - 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.

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()|.
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
separater 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.

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.
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 |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)
col column number (first column is 1)
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 non-existing buffer
number are returned with "bufnr" set to 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.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetRegname()->getreg()

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.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetRegname()->getregtype()
gettabinfo([{arg}]) *gettabinfo()*
If {arg} is not specified, then information about all the tab
pages is returned as a List. Each List item is a Dictionary.
Otherwise, {arg} 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-ID|s 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([{nr}]) *gettagstack()*
The result is a Dict, which is the tag stack of window {nr}.
{nr} can be the window number or the |window-ID|.
When {nr} is not specified, the current window is used.
When window {nr} 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()

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. 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 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 column 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 know 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 èndif`. Therefore put the èndif` on a
separate line: >
if has('feature')
let x = this->breaks->without->the->feature
endif
< If the èndif` 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 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
an entry with key {key}. Zero 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 1 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 0 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: 1 if the operation was successful,
otherwise 0 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 a Number: 1 for a successful operation,

otherwise 0 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 non-zero 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. 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 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 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 1 when out of memory, 0 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.

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.
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 "aÌ"
<
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 zero when {id} could not be found, one 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.

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| or a |Dictionary|.
Replace each item in {expr1} with the result of evaluating
{expr2}. {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.
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| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.

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')

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 differe.

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.
The list {pos} can contain one of these items:
- 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 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()| with an entry "pos1", "pos2", etc., with the
value a list like the {pos} item.

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')

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}.
{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}]) menu_info()

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}.
{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 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
the user readable for others). Use 0700 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 0755.
Example: >
:call mkdir($HOME . "/tmp/foo/bar", "p", 0700)

< 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 1 if the call was

successful or 0 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()|.

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")
<
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.
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}) *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 single letters. Leading
'~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
:echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
< ~/.v/a/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]

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.
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_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)

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)

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: ')

prop_ functions are documented here: |text-prop-functions|.

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.

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.
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
<
*readdir()*
readdir({directory} [, {expr}])
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.
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.
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$'})
< To skip hidden and backup files: >
readdir(dirname, {n -> n !~ '^\.\|\~$'})

< 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()
<
*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.
When {type} contains "B" a |Blob| is returned with the binary
data of the file unmodified.
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.
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()

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 format of
the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
|reltimestr()| to convert it to a string or |reltimefloat()|
to convert to a Float.
Without an argument it 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().

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|.

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|.
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.

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>
<
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".

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({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) search()

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, 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.
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}

*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()

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.
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({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *searchpos()*
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')

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}
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 |method|, the base is passed as the

third argument: >
GetText()->setbufline(buf, lnum)

setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) setbufvar()

Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
{val}.
This also works for a global or local window option, but it
doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
Examples: >
:call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
:call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.

Can also be used as a |method|, the base is passed as the

third argument: >
GetValue()->setbufvar(buf, varname)

setcharsearch({dict}) *setcharsearch()*
Set the current character search information to {dict},
which contains one or more of the following entries:

char character which will be used for a subsequent

|,| or |;| command; an empty string clears the
character search
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 save/restore a user's character search

from a script: >
:let prevsearch = getcharsearch()
:" Perform a command which clobbers user's search
:call setcharsearch(prevsearch)
< Also see |getcharsearch()|.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

SavedSearch()->setcharsearch()

setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
{pos}. The first position is 1.
Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
|c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
|c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
set after the command line is set to the expression. For
|c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
before inserting the resulting text.
When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
line.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetPos()->setcmdpos()

setenv({name}, {val}) setenv()

Set environment variable {name} to {val}.
When {val} is |v:null| the environment variable is deleted.
See also |expr-env|.

Can also be used as a |method|, the base is passed as the

second argument: >
GetPath()->setenv('PATH')

setfperm({fname}, {mode}) setfperm() chmod

Set the file permissions for {fname} to {mode}.
{mode} must be a string with 9 characters. It 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. A '-' character means the
permission is off, any other character means on. Multi-byte
characters are not supported.

For example "rw-r-----" means read-write for the user,

readable by the group, not accessible by others. "xx-x-----"
would do the same thing.

Returns non-zero for success, zero for failure.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetFilename()->setfperm(mode)
<
To read permissions see |getfperm()|.

setline({lnum}, {text}) setline()

Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {text}. To insert
lines use |append()|. To set lines in another buffer use
|setbufline()|. Any text properties in {lnum} are cleared.

{lnum} is used like with |getline()|.

When {lnum} is just below the last line the {text} will be
added below the last line.

If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely

because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned.

Example: >
:call setline(5, strftime("%c"))

< When {text} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
:call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
< This is equivalent to: >
:for [n, l] in [[5, 'aaa'], [6, 'bbb'], [7, 'ccc']]
: call setline(n, l)
:endfor

< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.

Can also be used as a |method|, the base is passed as the

second argument: >
GetText()->setline(lnum)

setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action} [, {what}]]) setloclist()

Create or replace or add to 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

modified. For an invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Otherwise, same as |setqflist()|.
Also see |location-list|.

If the optional {what} dictionary argument is supplied, then

only the items listed in {what} are set. Refer to |setqflist()|
for the list of supported keys in {what}.

Can also be used as a |method|, the base is passed as the

second argument: >
GetLoclist()->setloclist(winnr)

setmatches({list} [, {win}]) setmatches()

Restores a list of matches saved by |getmatches()| for the
current window. Returns 0 if successful, otherwise -1. All
current matches are cleared before the list is restored. See
example for |getmatches()|.
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|: >

GetMatches()->setmatches()
<
*setpos()*
setpos({expr}, {list})
Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
. the cursor
'x mark x

{list} must be a |List| with four or five numbers:

[bufnum, lnum, col, off]
[bufnum, lnum, col, off, curswant]

"bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the

current buffer. When setting an uppercase mark "bufnum" is
used for the mark position. For other marks it specifies the
buffer to set the mark in. You can use the |bufnr()| function
to turn a file name into a buffer number.
For setting the cursor and the ' mark "bufnum" is ignored,
since these are associated with a window, not a buffer.
Does not change the jumplist.

"lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark. If "col" is
smaller than 1 then 1 is used.

The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. 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.

The "curswant" number is only used when setting the cursor

position. It sets the preferred column for when moving the
cursor vertically. When the "curswant" number is missing the
preferred column is not set. When it is present and setting a
mark position it is not used.

Note that for '< and '> changing the line number may result in
the marks to be effectively be swapped, so that '< is always
before '>.

Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.

An error message is given if {expr} is invalid.

Also see |getpos()| and |getcurpos()|.

This does not restore the preferred column for moving

vertically; if you set the cursor position with this, |j| and
|k| motions will jump to previous columns! Use |cursor()| to
also set the preferred column. Also see the "curswant" key in
|winrestview()|.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetPosition()->setpos('.')

setqflist({list} [, {action} [, {what}]]) setqflist()

Create or replace or add to the quickfix list.

If the optional {what} dictionary argument is supplied, then

only the items listed in {what} are set. The first {list}
argument is ignored. See below for the supported items in
{what}.

When {what} is not present, the items in {list} or used. Each

item must be a dictionary. Non-dictionary items in {list} are
ignored. Each dictionary item can contain the following
entries:

bufnr buffer number; must be the number of a valid

buffer
filename name of a file; only used when "bufnr" is not
present or it is invalid.
module name of a module; if given it will be used in
quickfix error window instead of the filename.
lnum line number in the file
pattern search pattern used to locate the error
col column number
vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
when zero: "col" is byte index
nr error number
text description of the error
type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
valid recognized error message
The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
locate a matching error line.
If the "filename" and "bufnr" entries are not present or
neither the "lnum" or "pattern" entries are present, then the
item will not be handled as an error line.
If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
be used.
If the "valid" entry is not supplied, then the valid flag is
set when "bufnr" is a valid buffer or "filename" exists.
If you supply an empty {list}, the quickfix list will be
cleared.
Note that the list is not exactly the same as what
|getqflist()| returns.

{action} values: E927

'a' The items from {list} are added to the existing
quickfix list. If there is no existing list, then a
new list is created.

'r' The items from the current quickfix list are replaced
with the items from {list}. This can also be used to
clear the list: >
:call setqflist([], 'r')
<
'f' All the quickfix lists in the quickfix stack are
freed.

If {action} is not present or is set to ' ', then a new list

is created. The new quickfix list is added after the current
quickfix list in the stack and all the following lists are
freed. To add a new quickfix list at the end of the stack,
set "nr" in {what} to "$".

The following items can be specified in dictionary {what}:

context quickfix list context. See |quickfix-context|
efm errorformat to use when parsing text from
"lines". If this is not present, then the
'errorformat' option value is used.
See |quickfix-parse|
id quickfix list identifier |quickfix-ID|
idx index of the current entry in the quickfix
list specified by 'id' or 'nr'. If set to '$',
then the last entry in the list is set as the
current entry. See |quickfix-index|
items list of quickfix entries. Same as the {list}
argument.
lines use 'errorformat' to parse a list of lines and
add the resulting entries to the quickfix list
{nr} or {id}. Only a |List| value is supported.
See |quickfix-parse|
nr list number in the quickfix stack; zero
means the current quickfix list and "$" means
the last quickfix list.
quickfixtextfunc
function to get the text to display in the
quickfix window. Refer to
|quickfix-window-function| for an explanation
of how to write the function and an example.
title quickfix list title text. See |quickfix-title|
Unsupported keys in {what} are ignored.
If the "nr" item is not present, then the current quickfix list
is modified. When creating a new quickfix list, "nr" can be
set to a value one greater than the quickfix stack size.
When modifying a quickfix list, to guarantee that the correct
list is modified, "id" should be used instead of "nr" to
specify the list.

Examples (See also |setqflist-examples|): >

:call setqflist([], 'r', {'title': 'My search'})
:call setqflist([], 'r', {'nr': 2, 'title': 'Errors'})
:call setqflist([], 'a', {'id':qfid, 'lines':["F1:10:L10"]})
<
Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.

This function can be used to create a quickfix list

independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
`:cc 1` to jump to the first position.

Can also be used as a |method|, the base is passed as the

second argument: >
GetErrorlist()->setqflist()
<
*setreg()*
setreg({regname}, {value} [, {options}])
Set the register {regname} to {value}.
If {regname} is "" or "@", the unnamed register '"' is used.
{value} may be any value returned by |getreg()|, including
a |List|.
If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
then the value is appended.
{options} can also contain a register type specification:
"c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
"l" or "V" |linewise| mode
"b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
in the longest line (counting a <Tab> as 1 character).

If {options} contains no register settings, then the default

is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL> for
string {value} and linewise mode for list {value}. Blockwise
mode is never selected automatically.
Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.

*E883*
Note: you may not use |List| containing more than one item to
set search and expression registers. Lists containing no
items act like empty strings.

Examples: >
:call setreg(v:register, @*)
:call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
:call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')

< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
register: >
:let var_a = getreg('a', 1, 1)
:let var_amode = getregtype('a')
....
:call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
< Note: you may not reliably restore register value
without using the third argument to |getreg()| as without it
newlines are represented as newlines AND Nul bytes are
represented as newlines as well, see |NL-used-for-Nul|.

You can also change the type of a register by appending

nothing: >
:call setreg('a', '', 'al')

< Can also be used as a |method|, the base is passed as the

second argument: >
GetText()->setreg('a')

settabvar({tabnr}, {varname}, {val}) settabvar()

Set tab-local variable {varname} to {val} in tab page {tabnr}.
|t:var|
Note that autocommands are blocked, side effects may not be
triggered, e.g. when setting 'filetype'.
Note that the variable name without "t:" must be used.
Tabs are numbered starting with one.
This function is not available in the |sandbox|.

Can also be used as a |method|, the base is passed as the

third argument: >
GetValue()->settabvar(tab, name)

settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) settabwinvar()

Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
{val}.
Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
use |setwinvar()|.
{winnr} can be the window number or the |window-ID|.
When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Note that autocommands are blocked, side effects may not be
triggered, e.g. when setting 'filetype' or 'syntax'.
This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Examples: >
:call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
:call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.

Can also be used as a |method|, the base is passed as the

fourth argument: >
GetValue()->settabvar(tab, winnr, name)

settagstack({nr}, {dict} [, {action}]) settagstack()

Modify the tag stack of the window {nr} using {dict}.
{nr} can be the window number or the |window-ID|.

For a list of supported items in {dict}, refer to

|gettagstack()|. "curidx" takes effect before changing the tag
stack.
*E962*
How the tag stack is modified depends on the {action}
argument:
- If {action} is not present or is set to 'r', then the tag
stack is replaced.
- If {action} is set to 'a', then new entries from {dict} are
pushed (added) onto the tag stack.
- If {action} is set to 't', then all the entries from the
current entry in the tag stack or "curidx" in {dict} are
removed and then new entries are pushed to the stack.

The current index is set to one after the length of the tag
stack after the modification.

Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.

Examples (for more examples see |tagstack-examples||):

Empty the tag stack of window 3: >
call settagstack(3, {'items' : []})

setwinvar({winnr}, {varname}, {val}) setwinvar()

Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Examples: >
:call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
:call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")

< Can also be used as a |method|, the base is passed as the

third argument: >
GetValue()->setwinvar(winnr, name)

sha256({string}) *sha256()*
Returns a String with 64 hex characters, which is the SHA256
checksum of {string}.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetText()->sha256()

< {only available when compiled with the |+cryptv| feature}

shellescape({string} [, {special}]) shellescape()

Escape {string} for use as a shell command argument.
On MS-Windows, when 'shellslash' is not set, it will enclose
{string} in double quotes and double all double quotes within
{string}.
Otherwise it will enclose {string} in single quotes and
replace all "'" with "'\''".

When the {special} argument is present and it's a non-zero

Number or a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then special
items such as "!", "%", "#" and "<cword>" will be preceded by
a backslash. This backslash will be removed again by the |:!|
command.

The "!" character will be escaped (again with a |non-zero-arg|

{special}) when 'shell' contains "csh" in the tail. That is
because for csh and tcsh "!" is used for history replacement
even when inside single quotes.

With a |non-zero-arg| {special} the <NL> character is also

escaped. When 'shell' containing "csh" in the tail it's
escaped a second time.

Example of use with a |:!| command: >

:exe '!dir ' . shellescape(expand('<cfile>'), 1)
< This results in a directory listing for the file under the
cursor. Example of use with |system()|: >
:call system("chmod +w -- " . shellescape(expand("%")))
< See also |::S|.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetCommand()->shellescape()

shiftwidth([{col}]) *shiftwidth()*
Returns the effective value of 'shiftwidth'. This is the
'shiftwidth' value unless it is zero, in which case it is the
'tabstop' value. This function was introduced with patch
7.3.694 in 2012, everybody should have it by now (however it
did not allow for the optional {col} argument until 8.1.542).

When there is one argument {col} this is used as column number

for which to return the 'shiftwidth' value. This matters for the
'vartabstop' feature. If the 'vartabstop' setting is enabled and
no {col} argument is given, column 1 will be assumed.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetColumn()->shiftwidth()

sign_ functions are documented here: |sign-functions-details|

simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
{filename} designates the current directory, this will be
valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
not removed either.
Example: >
simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetName()->simplify()
sin({expr}) *sin()*
Return the sine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
{expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Examples: >
:echo sin(100)
< -0.506366 >
:echo sin(-4.01)
< 0.763301

Can also be used as a |method|: >

Compute()->sin()
<
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}

sinh({expr}) *sinh()*
Return the hyperbolic sine of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
[-inf, inf].
{expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Examples: >
:echo sinh(0.5)
< 0.521095 >
:echo sinh(-0.9)
< -1.026517

Can also be used as a |method|: >

Compute()->sinh()
<
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}

sort({list} [, {func} [, {dict}]]) sort() E702

Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}.

If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >

:let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))

< When {func} is omitted, is empty or zero, then sort() uses the
string representation of each item to sort on. Numbers sort
after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers. For sorting text in the
current buffer use |:sort|.

When {func} is given and it is '1' or 'i' then case is

ignored.

When {func} is given and it is 'n' then all items will be

sorted numerical (Implementation detail: This uses the
strtod() function to parse numbers, Strings, Lists, Dicts and
Funcrefs will be considered as being 0).

When {func} is given and it is 'N' then all items will be

sorted numerical. This is like 'n' but a string containing
digits will be used as the number they represent.

When {func} is given and it is 'f' then all items will be

sorted numerical. All values must be a Number or a Float.

When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function

is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 or
bigger if the first one sorts after the second one, -1 or
smaller if the first one sorts before the second one.

{dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be

used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|

The sort is stable, items which compare equal (as number or as

string) will keep their relative position. E.g., when sorting
on numbers, text strings will sort next to each other, in the
same order as they were originally.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

mylist->sort()

< Also see |uniq()|.

Example: >
func MyCompare(i1, i2)
return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
endfunc
let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
< A shorter compare version for this specific simple case, which
ignores overflow: >
func MyCompare(i1, i2)
return a:i1 - a:i2
endfunc
<
sound_clear() *sound_clear()*
Stop playing all sounds.
{only available when compiled with the |+sound| feature}

*sound_playevent()*
sound_playevent({name} [, {callback}])
Play a sound identified by {name}. Which event names are
supported depends on the system. Often the XDG sound names
are used. On Ubuntu they may be found in
/usr/share/sounds/freedesktop/stereo. Example: >
call sound_playevent('bell')
< On MS-Windows, {name} can be SystemAsterisk, SystemDefault,
SystemExclamation, SystemExit, SystemHand, SystemQuestion,
SystemStart, SystemWelcome, etc.

When {callback} is specified it is invoked when the sound is

finished. The first argument is the sound ID, the second
argument is the status:
0 sound was played to the end
1 sound was interrupted
2 error occurred after sound started
Example: >
func Callback(id, status)
echomsg "sound " .. a:id .. " finished with " .. a:status
endfunc
call sound_playevent('bell', 'Callback')

< MS-Windows: {callback} doesn't work for this function.

Returns the sound ID, which can be passed to `sound_stop()`.

Returns zero if the sound could not be played.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetSoundName()->sound_playevent()

< {only available when compiled with the |+sound| feature}

*sound_playfile()*
sound_playfile({path} [, {callback}])
Like `sound_playevent()` but play sound file {path}. {path}
must be a full path. On Ubuntu you may find files to play
with this command: >
:!find /usr/share/sounds -type f | grep -v index.theme

< Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetSoundPath()->sound_playfile()

< {only available when compiled with the |+sound| feature}

sound_stop({id}) *sound_stop()*
Stop playing sound {id}. {id} must be previously returned by
`sound_playevent()` or `sound_playfile()`.

On MS-Windows, this does not work for event sound started by

`sound_playevent()`. To stop event sounds, use `sound_clear()`.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

soundid->sound_stop()

< {only available when compiled with the |+sound| feature}

*soundfold()*
soundfold({word})
Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
language in 'spelllang' for the current window that supports
soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
the method can be quite slow.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetWord()->soundfold()
<
*spellbadword()*
spellbadword([{sentence}])
Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.

With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that

is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
result is an empty string.

The return value is a list with two items:

- The badly spelled word or an empty string.
- The type of the spelling error:
"bad" spelling mistake
"rare" rare word
"local" word only valid in another region
"caps" word should start with Capital
Example: >
echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
< ['quik', 'bad'] ~

The spelling information for the current window is used. The

'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
used.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetText()->spellbadword()
<
*spellsuggest()*
spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.

When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only

suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.

{word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.

This allows for joining two words that were split. The
suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
replace a line.

{word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be

returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
although it may appear capitalized.

The spelling information for the current window is used. The

'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
'spellsuggest' are used.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetWord()->spellsuggest()

split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) split()

Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
item.
Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
removing the matched characters. 'ignorecase' is not used
here, add \c to ignore case. |/\c|
When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
{keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Example: >
:let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
< To split a string in individual characters: >
:for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs' at
the end of the pattern: >
:echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
:let items = split(line, ':', 1)
< The opposite function is |join()|.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetString()->split()

sqrt({expr}) *sqrt()*
Return the non-negative square root of Float {expr} as a
|Float|.
{expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|. When {expr}
is negative the result is NaN (Not a Number).
Examples: >
:echo sqrt(100)
< 10.0 >
:echo sqrt(-4.01)
< nan
"nan" may be different, it depends on system libraries.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

Compute()->sqrt()
<
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}

srand([{expr}]) *srand()*
Initialize seed used by |rand()|:
- If {expr} is not given, seed values are initialized by
reading from /dev/urandom, if possible, or using time(NULL)
a.k.a. epoch time otherwise; this only has second accuracy.
- If {expr} is given it must be a Number. It is used to
initialize the seed values. This is useful for testing or
when a predictable sequence is intended.

Examples: >
:let seed = srand()
:let seed = srand(userinput)
:echo rand(seed)

state([{what}]) *state()*
Return a string which contains characters indicating the
current state. Mostly useful in callbacks that want to do
work that may not always be safe. Roughly this works like:
- callback uses state() to check if work is safe to do.
Yes: then do it right away.
No: add to work queue and add a |SafeState| and/or
|SafeStateAgain| autocommand (|SafeState| triggers at
toplevel, |SafeStateAgain| triggers after handling
messages and callbacks).
- When SafeState or SafeStateAgain is triggered and executes
your autocommand, check with `state()` if the work can be
done now, and if yes remove it from the queue and execute.
Remove the autocommand if the queue is now empty.
Also see |mode()|.

When {what} is given only characters in this string will be

added. E.g, this checks if the screen has scrolled: >
if state('s') == ''
" screen has not scrolled
<
These characters indicate the state, generally indicating that
something is busy:
m halfway a mapping, :normal command, feedkeys() or
stuffed command
o operator pending or waiting for a command argument,
e.g. after |f|
a Insert mode autocomplete active
x executing an autocommand
w blocked on waiting, e.g. ch_evalexpr(), ch_read() and
ch_readraw() when reading json.
S not triggering SafeState or SafeStateAgain
c callback invoked, including timer (repeats for
recursiveness up to "ccc")
s screen has scrolled for messages

str2float({expr}) *str2float()*
Convert String {expr} to a Float. This mostly works the same
as when using a floating point number in an expression, see
|floating-point-format|. But it's a bit more permissive.
E.g., "1e40" is accepted, while in an expression you need to
write "1.0e40". The hexadecimal form "0x123" is also
accepted, but not others, like binary or octal.
Text after the number is silently ignored.
The decimal point is always '.', no matter what the locale is
set to. A comma ends the number: "12,345.67" is converted to
12.0. You can strip out thousands separators with
|substitute()|: >
let f = str2float(substitute(text, ',', '', 'g'))
<
Can also be used as a |method|: >
let f = text->substitute(',', '', 'g')->str2float()
<
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}

str2list({expr} [, {utf8}]) str2list()

Return a list containing the number values which represent
each character in String {expr}. Examples: >
str2list(" ") returns [32]
str2list("ABC") returns [65, 66, 67]
< |list2str()| does the opposite.

When {utf8} is omitted or zero, the current 'encoding' is used.

With {utf8} set to 1, always treat the String as utf-8
characters. With utf-8 composing characters are handled
properly: >
str2list("aÌ") returns [97, 769]

< Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetString()->str2list()

str2nr({expr} [, {base} [, {quoted}]]) str2nr()

Convert string {expr} to a number.
{base} is the conversion base, it can be 2, 8, 10 or 16.
When {quoted} is present and non-zero then embedded single
quotes are ignored, thus "1'000'000" is a million.

When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that

a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
with the default String to Number conversion. Example: >
let nr = str2nr('0123')
<
When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
different base the result will be zero. Similarly, when
{base} is 8 a leading "0" is ignored, and when {base} is 2 a
leading "0b" or "0B" is ignored.
Text after the number is silently ignored.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetText()->str2nr()

strcharpart({src}, {start} [, {len}]) strcharpart()

Like |strpart()| but using character index and length instead
of byte index and length.
When a character index is used where a character does not
exist it is assumed to be one character. For example: >
strcharpart('abc', -1, 2)
< results in 'a'.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetText()->strcharpart(5)

strchars({expr} [, {skipcc}]) strchars()

The result is a Number, which is the number of characters
in String {expr}.
When {skipcc} is omitted or zero, composing characters are
counted separately.
When {skipcc} set to 1, Composing characters are ignored.
Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strwidth()|.

{skipcc} is only available after 7.4.755. For backward

compatibility, you can define a wrapper function: >
if has("patch-7.4.755")
function s:strchars(str, skipcc)
return strchars(a:str, a:skipcc)
endfunction
else
function s:strchars(str, skipcc)
if a:skipcc
return strlen(substitute(a:str, ".", "x", "g"))
else
return strchars(a:str)
endif
endfunction
endif
<
Can also be used as a |method|: >
GetText()->strchars()

strdisplaywidth({expr} [, {col}]) strdisplaywidth()

The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
String {expr} occupies on the screen when it starts at {col}
(first column is zero). When {col} is omitted zero is used.
Otherwise it is the screen column where to start. This
matters for Tab characters.
The option settings of the current window are used. This
matters for anything that's displayed differently, such as
'tabstop' and 'display'.
When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
Also see |strlen()|, |strwidth()| and |strchars()|.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetText()->strdisplaywidth()

strftime({format} [, {time}]) strftime()

The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
{format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
See also |localtime()|, |getftime()| and |strptime()|.
The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
Examples: >
:echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
:echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
:echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
:echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
:echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
Show mod time of file.c.
< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
:if exists("*strftime")

< Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetFormat()->strftime()

strgetchar({str}, {index}) strgetchar()

Get character {index} from {str}. This uses a character
index, not a byte index. Composing characters are considered
separate characters here.
Also see |strcharpart()| and |strchars()|.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetText()->strgetchar(5)

stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) stridx()

The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
{haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
This can be used to find a second match: >
:let colon1 = stridx(line, ":")
:let colon2 = stridx(line, ":", colon1 + 1)
< The search is done case-sensitive.
For pattern searches use |match()|.
-1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
See also |strridx()|.
Examples: >
:echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
:echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
:echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
< *strstr()* *strchr()*
stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
with a single character it works similar to strchr().

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetHaystack()->stridx(needle)
<
*string()*
string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
Float, String, Blob or a composition of them, then the result
can be parsed back with |eval()|.
{expr} type result ~
String 'string' (single quotes are doubled)
Number 123
Float 123.123456 or 1.123456e8
Funcref function('name')
Blob 0z00112233.44556677.8899
List [item, item]
Dictionary {key: value, key: value}

When a List or Dictionary has a recursive reference it is

replaced by "[...]" or "{...}". Using eval() on the result
will then fail.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

mylist->string()

< Also see |strtrans()|.

*strlen()*
strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
{expr} in bytes.
If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
For other types an error is given.
If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters use
|strchars()|.
Also see |len()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strwidth()|.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetString()->strlen()

strpart({src}, {start} [, {len}]) strpart()

The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
To count characters instead of bytes use |strcharpart()|.

When bytes are selected which do not exist, this doesn't

result in an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
end of the {src}. >
strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"

< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For

example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
<
Can also be used as a |method|: >
GetText()->strpart(5)

strptime({format}, {timestring}) strptime()

The result is a Number, which is a unix timestamp representing
the date and time in {timestring}, which is expected to match
the format specified in {format}.

The accepted {format} depends on your system, thus this is not

portable! See the manual page of the C function strptime()
for the format. Especially avoid "%c". The value of $TZ also
matters.

If the {timestring} cannot be parsed with {format} zero is

returned. If you do not know the format of {timestring} you
can try different {format} values until you get a non-zero
result.

Not available on all systems. To check use: >

:if exists("*strptime")

strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) strridx()

The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
{haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
match: >
:let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
:let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
< The search is done case-sensitive.
For pattern searches use |match()|.
-1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
:echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
< *strrchr()*
When used with a single character it works similar to the C
function strrchr().

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetHaystack()->strridx(needle)

strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
echo strtrans(@a)
< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
starting a new line.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetString()->strtrans()
strwidth({expr}) *strwidth()*
The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
String {expr} occupies. A Tab character is counted as one
cell, alternatively use |strdisplaywidth()|.
When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strchars()|.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetString()->strwidth()

submatch({nr} [, {list}]) submatch() E935

Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command or
substitute() function.
Returns the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr}
is 0 the whole matched text is returned.
Note that a NL in the string can stand for a line break of a
multi-line match or a NUL character in the text.
Also see |sub-replace-expression|.

If {list} is present and non-zero then submatch() returns

When substitute() is used recursively only the submatches in

the current (deepest) call can be obtained.

Examples: >
:s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
:echo substitute(text, '\d\+', '\=submatch(0) + 1', '')
< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
A line break is included as a newline character.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetNr()->submatch()

substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) substitute()

The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}.
When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".

This works like the ":substitute" command (without any flags).

But the matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic'
option is set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts
portable). 'ignorecase' is still relevant, use |/\c| or |/\C|
if you want to ignore or match case and ignore 'ignorecase'.
'smartcase' is not used. See |string-match| for how {pat} is
used.

A "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.

Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
|sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
"\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
unmodified.

Example: >
:let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
:echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
< results in "TESTING".

When {sub} starts with "\=", the remainder is interpreted as

an expression. See |sub-replace-expression|. Example: >
:echo substitute(s, '%$\x\x$',
\ '\=nr2char("0x" . submatch(1))', 'g')

< When {sub} is a Funcref that function is called, with one

optional argument. Example: >
:echo substitute(s, '%$\x\x$', SubNr, 'g')
< The optional argument is a list which contains the whole
matched string and up to nine submatches, like what
|submatch()| returns. Example: >
:echo substitute(s, '%$\x\x$', {m -> '0x' . m[1]}, 'g')

< Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetString()->substitute(pat, sub, flags)

swapinfo({fname}) *swapinfo()*
The result is a dictionary, which holds information about the
swapfile {fname}. The available fields are:
version Vim version
user user name
host host name
fname original file name
pid PID of the Vim process that created the swap
file
mtime last modification time in seconds
inode Optional: INODE number of the file
dirty 1 if file was modified, 0 if not
Note that "user" and "host" are truncated to at most 39 bytes.
In case of failure an "error" item is added with the reason:
Cannot open file: file not found or in accessible
Cannot read file: cannot read first block
Not a swap file: does not contain correct block ID
Magic number mismatch: Info in first block is invalid

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetFilename()->swapinfo()

swapname({expr}) *swapname()*
The result is the swap file path of the buffer {expr}.
For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
If buffer {expr} is the current buffer, the result is equal to
|:swapname| (unless no swap file).
If buffer {expr} has no swap file, returns an empty string.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetBufname()->swapname()

synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) synID()

The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
{lnum} and {col} in the current window.
The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
|synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.

{col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first

line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
Note that when the position is after the last character,
that's where the cursor can be in Insert mode, synID() returns
zero.

When {trans} is |TRUE|, transparent items are reduced to the

item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
the effective color. When {trans} is |FALSE|, the transparent
item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
obtained by going through the file in forward direction.

Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
:echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
<

synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) synIDattr()

The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
about a syntax item.
{mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
used (GUI, cterm or term).
Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
{what} result
"name" the name of the syntax item
"fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
the color, cterm: color number as a string,
term: empty string)
"bg" background color (as with "fg")
"font" font name (only available in the GUI)
|highlight-font|
"sp" special color (as with "fg") |highlight-guisp|
"fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
"bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
"sp#" like "fg#" for "sp"
"bold" "1" if bold
"italic" "1" if italic
"reverse" "1" if reverse
"inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
"standout" "1" if standout
"underline" "1" if underlined
"undercurl" "1" if undercurled
"strike" "1" if strikethrough

Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the

cursor): >
:echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
<
Can also be used as a |method|: >
:echo synID(line("."), col("."), 1)->synIDtrans()->synIDattr("fg")
synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
{synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
highlight the character. Highlight links given with
":highlight link" are followed.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

:echo synID(line("."), col("."), 1)->synIDtrans()->synIDattr("fg")

synconcealed({lnum}, {col}) synconcealed()

The result is a List with currently three items:
1. The first item in the list is 0 if the character at the
position {lnum} and {col} is not part of a concealable
region, 1 if it is.
2. The second item in the list is a string. If the first item
is 1, the second item contains the text which will be
displayed in place of the concealed text, depending on the
current setting of 'conceallevel' and 'listchars'.
3. The third and final item in the list is a number
representing the specific syntax region matched in the
line. When the character is not concealed the value is
zero. This allows detection of the beginning of a new
concealable region if there are two consecutive regions
with the same replacement character. For an example, if
the text is "123456" and both "23" and "45" are concealed
and replaced by the character "X", then:
call returns ~
synconcealed(lnum, 1) [0, '', 0]
synconcealed(lnum, 2) [1, 'X', 1]
synconcealed(lnum, 3) [1, 'X', 1]
synconcealed(lnum, 4) [1, 'X', 2]
synconcealed(lnum, 5) [1, 'X', 2]
synconcealed(lnum, 6) [0, '', 0]

synstack({lnum}, {col}) synstack()

Return a |List|, which is the stack of syntax items at the
position {lnum} and {col} in the current window. Each item in
the List is an ID like what |synID()| returns.
The first item in the List is the outer region, following are
items contained in that one. The last one is what |synID()|
returns, unless not the whole item is highlighted or it is a
transparent item.
This function is useful for debugging a syntax file.
Example that shows the syntax stack under the cursor: >
for id in synstack(line("."), col("."))
echo synIDattr(id, "name")
endfor
< When the position specified with {lnum} and {col} is invalid
nothing is returned. The position just after the last
character in a line and the first column in an empty line are
valid positions.

system({expr} [, {input}]) system() E677

Get the output of the shell command {expr} as a string. See
|systemlist()| to get the output as a List.
When {input} is given and is a string this string is written
to a file and passed as stdin to the command. The string is
written as-is, you need to take care of using the correct line
separators yourself.
If {input} is given and is a |List| it is written to the file
in a way |writefile()| does with {binary} set to "b" (i.e.
with a newline between each list item with newlines inside
list items converted to NULs).
When {input} is given and is a number that is a valid id for
an existing buffer then the content of the buffer is written
to the file line by line, each line terminated by a NL and
NULs characters where the text has a NL.

Pipes are not used, the 'shelltemp' option is not used.

When prepended by |:silent| the terminal will not be set to

cooked mode. This is meant to be used for commands that do
not need the user to type. It avoids stray characters showing
up on the screen which require |CTRL-L| to remove. >
:silent let f = system('ls *.vim')
<
Note: Use |shellescape()| or |::S| with |expand()| or
|fnamemodify()| to escape special characters in a command
argument. Newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail.
The characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also
cause trouble.
This is not to be used for interactive commands.

The result is a String. Example: >

:let files = system("ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h')))
:let files = system('ls ' . expand('%:h:S'))

< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output

is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
<CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
To avoid the string being truncated at a NUL, all NUL
characters are replaced with SOH (0x01).

The command executed is constructed using several options:

'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
For Unix, braces are put around {expr} to allow for
concatenated commands.

The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a

CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).

The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.

This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.

Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
when using a security agent application.
Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
Use |:checktime| to force a check.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

:echo GetCmd()->system()
systemlist({expr} [, {input}]) *systemlist()*
Same as |system()|, but returns a |List| with lines (parts of
output separated by NL) with NULs transformed into NLs. Output
is the same as |readfile()| will output with {binary} argument
set to "b", except that there is no extra empty item when the
result ends in a NL.
Note that on MS-Windows you may get trailing CR characters.

To see the difference between "echo hello" and "echo -n hello"

use |system()| and |split()|: >
echo system('echo hello')->split('\n', 1)
<
Returns an empty string on error.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

:echo GetCmd()->systemlist()

tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
{arg} specifies the number of the tab page to be used. When
omitted the current tab page is used.
When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
let buflist = []
for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
call extend(buflist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
endfor
< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetTabpage()->tabpagebuflist()

tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
page is returned (the tab page count).
The number can be used with the |:tab| command.

tabpagewinnr({tabarg} [, {arg}]) tabpagewinnr()

Like |winnr()| but for tab page {tabarg}.
{tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
{arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
- When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
- When "$" the number of windows is returned.
- When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
Useful examples: >
tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetTabpage()->tabpagewinnr()
<
*tagfiles()*
tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.

taglist({expr} [, {filename}]) taglist()

Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.

If {filename} is passed it is used to prioritize the results

in the same way that |:tselect| does. See |tag-priority|.
{filename} should be the full path of the file.

Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following

entries:
name Name of the tag.
filename Name of the file where the tag is
defined. It is either relative to the
current directory or a full path.
cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
the file.
kind Type of the tag. The value for this
entry depends on the language specific
kind values. Only available when
using a tags file generated by
Exuberant ctags or hdrtag.
static A file specific tag. Refer to
|static-tag| for more information.
More entries may be present, depending on the content of the
tags file: access, implementation, inherits and signature.
Refer to the ctags documentation for information about these
fields. For C code the fields "struct", "class" and "enum"
may appear, they give the name of the entity the tag is
contained in.

The ex-command "cmd" can be either an ex search pattern, a

line number or a line number followed by a byte number.

If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.

To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
used in {expr}. This also make the function work faster.
Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information about the tag
search regular expression pattern.

Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is

located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetTagpattern()->taglist()

tan({expr}) *tan()*
Return the tangent of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|
in the range [-inf, inf].
{expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Examples: >
:echo tan(10)
< 0.648361 >
:echo tan(-4.01)
< -1.181502

Can also be used as a |method|: >

Compute()->tan()
<
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}

tanh({expr}) *tanh()*
Return the hyperbolic tangent of {expr} as a |Float| in the
range [-1, 1].
{expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Examples: >
:echo tanh(0.5)
< 0.462117 >
:echo tanh(-1)
< -0.761594

Can also be used as a |method|: >

Compute()->tanh()
<
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}

tempname() tempname() temp-file-name

The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
:let tmpfile = tempname()
:exe "redir > " . tmpfile
< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory |tempfile|.
For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.

term_ functions are documented here: |terminal-function-details|

test_ functions are documented here: |test-functions-details|

*timer_info()*
timer_info([{id}])
Return a list with information about timers.
When {id} is given only information about this timer is
returned. When timer {id} does not exist an empty list is
returned.
When {id} is omitted information about all timers is returned.

For each timer the information is stored in a Dictionary with

these items:
"id" the timer ID
"time" time the timer was started with
"remaining" time until the timer fires
"repeat" number of times the timer will still fire;
-1 means forever
"callback" the callback
"paused" 1 if the timer is paused, 0 otherwise

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetTimer()->timer_info()

< {only available when compiled with the |+timers| feature}

timer_pause({timer}, {paused}) timer_pause()

Pause or unpause a timer. A paused timer does not invoke its
callback when its time expires. Unpausing a timer may cause
the callback to be invoked almost immediately if enough time
has passed.

Pausing a timer is useful to avoid the callback to be called

for a short time.

If {paused} evaluates to a non-zero Number or a non-empty

String, then the timer is paused, otherwise it is unpaused.
See |non-zero-arg|.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetTimer()->timer_pause(1)

< {only available when compiled with the |+timers| feature}

timer_start() timer timers

timer_start({time}, {callback} [, {options}])
Create a timer and return the timer ID.

{time} is the waiting time in milliseconds. This is the

minimum time before invoking the callback. When the system is
busy or Vim is not waiting for input the time will be longer.

{callback} is the function to call. It can be the name of a

function or a |Funcref|. It is called with one argument, which
is the timer ID. The callback is only invoked when Vim is
waiting for input.

{options} is a dictionary. Supported entries:

"repeat" Number of times to repeat calling the
callback. -1 means forever. When not present
the callback will be called once.
If the timer causes an error three times in a
row the repeat is cancelled. This avoids that
Vim becomes unusable because of all the error
messages.

Example: >
func MyHandler(timer)
echo 'Handler called'
endfunc
let timer = timer_start(500, 'MyHandler',
\ {'repeat': 3})
< This will invoke MyHandler() three times at 500 msec
intervals.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetMsec()->timer_start(callback)

< Not available in the |sandbox|.

{only available when compiled with the |+timers| feature}
timer_stop({timer}) *timer_stop()*
Stop a timer. The timer callback will no longer be invoked.
{timer} is an ID returned by timer_start(), thus it must be a
Number. If {timer} does not exist there is no error.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetTimer()->timer_stop()

< {only available when compiled with the |+timers| feature}

timer_stopall() *timer_stopall()*
Stop all timers. The timer callbacks will no longer be
invoked. Useful if a timer is misbehaving. If there are no
timers there is no error.

{only available when compiled with the |+timers| feature}

tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
the string).

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetText()->tolower()

toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
the string).

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetText()->toupper()

tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) tr()

The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
{fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.

Examples: >
echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
< returns "Hello THere" >
echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
< returns "{blob}"

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetText()->tr(from, to)

trim({text} [, {mask} [, {dir}]]) trim()

Return {text} as a String where any character in {mask} is
removed from the beginning and/or end of {text}.

If {mask} is not given, {mask} is all characters up to 0x20,

which includes Tab, space, NL and CR, plus the non-breaking
space character 0xa0.

The optional {dir} argument specifies where to remove the

characters:
0 remove from the beginning and end of {text}
1 remove only at the beginning of {text}
2 remove only at the end of {text}
When omitted both ends are trimmed.

This function deals with multibyte characters properly.

Examples: >
echo trim(" some text ")
< returns "some text" >
echo trim(" \r\t\t\r RESERVE \t\n\x0B\xA0") . "_TAIL"
< returns "RESERVE_TAIL" >
echo trim("rm<Xrm<>X>rrm", "rm<>")
< returns "Xrm<>X" (characters in the middle are not removed) >
echo trim(" vim ", " ", 2)
< returns " vim"

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetText()->trim()

trunc({expr}) *trunc()*
Return the largest integral value with magnitude less than or
equal to {expr} as a |Float| (truncate towards zero).
{expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Examples: >
echo trunc(1.456)
< 1.0 >
echo trunc(-5.456)
< -5.0 >
echo trunc(4.0)
< 4.0

Can also be used as a |method|: >

Compute()->trunc()
<
{only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}

*type()*
type({expr}) The result is a Number representing the type of {expr}.
Instead of using the number directly, it is better to use the
v:t_ variable that has the value:
Number: 0 |v:t_number|
String: 1 |v:t_string|
Funcref: 2 |v:t_func|
List: 3 |v:t_list|
Dictionary: 4 |v:t_dict|
Float: 5 |v:t_float|
Boolean: 6 |v:t_bool| (v:false and v:true)
None: 7 |v:t_none| (v:null and v:none)
Job: 8 |v:t_job|
Channel: 9 |v:t_channel|
Blob: 10 |v:t_blob|
For backward compatibility, this method can be used: >
:if type(myvar) == type(0)
:if type(myvar) == type("")
:if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
:if type(myvar) == type([])
:if type(myvar) == type({})
:if type(myvar) == type(0.0)
:if type(myvar) == type(v:false)
:if type(myvar) == type(v:none)
< To check if the v:t_ variables exist use this: >
:if exists('v:t_number')

< Can also be used as a |method|: >

mylist->type()

undofile({name}) *undofile()*
Return the name of the undo file that would be used for a file
with name {name} when writing. This uses the 'undodir'
option, finding directories that exist. It does not check if
the undo file exists.
{name} is always expanded to the full path, since that is what
is used internally.
If {name} is empty undofile() returns an empty string, since a
buffer without a file name will not write an undo file.
Useful in combination with |:wundo| and |:rundo|.
When compiled without the |+persistent_undo| option this always
returns an empty string.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetFilename()->undofile()

undotree() *undotree()*
Return the current state of the undo tree in a dictionary with
the following items:
"seq_last" The highest undo sequence number used.
"seq_cur" The sequence number of the current position in
the undo tree. This differs from "seq_last"
when some changes were undone.
"time_cur" Time last used for |:earlier| and related
commands. Use |strftime()| to convert to
something readable.
"save_last" Number of the last file write. Zero when no
write yet.
"save_cur" Number of the current position in the undo
tree.
"synced" Non-zero when the last undo block was synced.
This happens when waiting from input from the
user. See |undo-blocks|.
"entries" A list of dictionaries with information about
undo blocks.

The first item in the "entries" list is the oldest undo item.
Each List item is a Dictionary with these items:
"seq" Undo sequence number. Same as what appears in
|:undolist|.
"time" Timestamp when the change happened. Use
|strftime()| to convert to something readable.
"newhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
that was added. This marks the last change
and where further changes will be added.
"curhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
that was undone. This marks the current
position in the undo tree, the block that will
be used by a redo command. When nothing was
undone after the last change this item will
not appear anywhere.
"save" Only appears on the last block before a file
write. The number is the write count. The
first write has number 1, the last one the
"save_last" mentioned above.
"alt" Alternate entry. This is again a List of undo
blocks. Each item may again have an "alt"
item.

uniq({list} [, {func} [, {dict}]]) uniq() E882

Remove second and succeeding copies of repeated adjacent
{list} items in-place. Returns {list}. If you want a list
to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
:let newlist = uniq(copy(mylist))
< The default compare function uses the string representation of
each item. For the use of {func} and {dict} see |sort()|.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

mylist->uniq()

values({dict}) *values()*
Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
in arbitrary order. Also see |items()| and |keys()|.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

mydict->values()

virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
set to 8, it returns 8. |conceal| is ignored.
For the byte position use |col()|.
For the use of {expr} see |col()|.
When 'virtualedit' is used {expr} can be [lnum, col, off], where
"off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
character. When "off" is omitted zero is used.
When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
The accepted positions are:
. the cursor position
$ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
number of displayed characters 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.
Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
Examples: >
virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
A more advanced example that echoes the maximum length of
all lines: >
echo max(map(range(1, line('$')), "virtcol([v:val, '$'])"))

< Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetPos()->virtcol()

visualmode([{expr}]) *visualmode()*
The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
used in the current buffer. Initially it returns an empty
string, but once Visual mode has been used, it returns "v",
"V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a single CTRL-V character) for
character-wise, line-wise, or block-wise Visual mode
respectively.
Example: >
:exe "normal " . visualmode()
< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
Visual mode that was used.
If Visual mode is active, use |mode()| to get the Visual mode
(e.g., in a |:vmap|).
If {expr} is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
a non-empty String, then the Visual mode will be cleared and
the old value is returned. See |non-zero-arg|.

For example to make <c-j> work like <down> in wildmode, use: >
:cnoremap <expr> <C-j> wildmenumode() ? "\<Down>\<Tab>" : "\<c-j>"
<
(Note, this needs the 'wildcharm' option set appropriately).

win_execute({id}, {command} [, {silent}]) win_execute()

Like `execute()` but in the context of window {id}.
The window will temporarily be made the current window,
without triggering autocommands. When executing {command}
autocommands will be triggered, this may have unexpected side
effects. Use |:noautocmd| if needed.
Example: >
call win_execute(winid, 'set syntax=python')
< Doing the same with `setwinvar()` would not trigger
autocommands and not actually show syntax highlighting.
*E994*
Not all commands are allowed in popup windows.
When window {id} does not exist then no error is given.

Can also be used as a |method|, the base is passed as the

second argument: >
GetCommand()->win_execute(winid)

win_findbuf({bufnr}) *win_findbuf()*
Returns a list with |window-ID|s for windows that contain
buffer {bufnr}. When there is none the list is empty.
Can also be used as a |method|: >
GetBufnr()->win_findbuf()

win_getid([{win} [, {tab}]]) win_getid()

Get the |window-ID| for the specified window.
When {win} is missing use the current window.
With {win} this is the window number. The top window has
number 1.
Without {tab} use the current tab, otherwise the tab with
number {tab}. The first tab has number one.
Return zero if the window cannot be found.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetWinnr()->win_getid()

win_gettype([{nr}]) *win_gettype()*
Return the type of the window:
"popup" popup window |popup|
"command" command-line window |cmdwin|
(empty) normal window
"unknown" window {nr} not found

When {nr} is omitted return the type of the current window.

When {nr} is given return the type of this window by number or
|window-ID|.

Also see the 'buftype' option. When running a terminal in a

popup window then 'buftype' is "terminal" and win_gettype()
returns "popup".

win_gotoid({expr}) *win_gotoid()*
Go to window with ID {expr}. This may also change the current
tabpage.
Return 1 if successful, 0 if the window cannot be found.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetWinid()->win_gotoid()

win_id2tabwin({expr}) *win_id2tabwin()*
Return a list with the tab number and window number of window
with ID {expr}: [tabnr, winnr].
Return [0, 0] if the window cannot be found.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetWinid()->win_id2tabwin()

win_id2win({expr}) *win_id2win()*
Return the window number of window with ID {expr}.
Return 0 if the window cannot be found in the current tabpage.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetWinid()->win_id2win()

win_screenpos({nr}) *win_screenpos()*
Return the screen position of window {nr} as a list with two
numbers: [row, col]. The first window always has position
[1, 1], unless there is a tabline, then it is [2, 1].
{nr} can be the window number or the |window-ID|.
Return [0, 0] if the window cannot be found in the current
tabpage.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetWinid()->win_screenpos()
<
win_splitmove({nr}, {target} [, {options}]) *win_splitmove()*
Move the window {nr} to a new split of the window {target}.
This is similar to moving to {target}, creating a new window
using |:split| but having the same contents as window {nr}, and
then closing {nr}.

Both {nr} and {target} can be window numbers or |window-ID|s.

Both must be in the current tab page.

Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.

{options} is a Dictionary with the following optional entries:

"vertical" When TRUE, the split is created vertically,
like with |:vsplit|.
"rightbelow" When TRUE, the split is made below or to the
right (if vertical). When FALSE, it is done
above or to the left (if vertical). When not
present, the values of 'splitbelow' and
'splitright' are used.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetWinid()->win_splitmove(target)
<

*winbufnr()*
winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
associated with window {nr}. {nr} can be the window number or
the |window-ID|.
When {nr} is zero, the number of the buffer in the current
window is returned.
When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
Example: >
:echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
<
Can also be used as a |method|: >
FindWindow()->winbufnr()->bufname()
<
*wincol()*
wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.

*windowsversion()*
windowsversion()
The result is a String. For MS-Windows it indicates the OS
version. E.g, Windows 10 is "10.0", Windows 8 is "6.2",
Windows XP is "5.1". For non-MS-Windows systems the result is
an empty string.

winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
{nr} can be the window number or the |window-ID|.
When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
This excludes any window toolbar line.
Examples: >
:echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."

< Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetWinid()->winheight()
<
winlayout([{tabnr}]) *winlayout()*
The result is a nested List containing the layout of windows
in a tabpage.

Without {tabnr} use the current tabpage, otherwise the tabpage

with number {tabnr}. If the tabpage {tabnr} is not found,
returns an empty list.

For a leaf window, it returns:

['leaf', {winid}]
For horizontally split windows, which form a column, it
returns:
['col', [{nested list of windows}]]
For vertically split windows, which form a row, it returns:
['row', [{nested list of windows}]]

Example: >
" Only one window in the tab page
:echo winlayout()
['leaf', 1000]
" Two horizontally split windows
:echo winlayout()
['col', [['leaf', 1000], ['leaf', 1001]]]
" The second tab page, with three horizontally split
" windows, with two vertically split windows in the
" middle window
:echo winlayout(2)
['col', [['leaf', 1002], ['row', [['leaf', 1003],
['leaf', 1001]]], ['leaf', 1000]]]
<
Can also be used as a |method|: >
GetTabnr()->winlayout()
<
*winline()*
winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
the window. The first line is one.
If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
first, this may cause a scroll.

*winnr()*
winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
window. The top window has number 1.
Returns zero for a popup window.

The optional argument {arg} supports the following values:

$ the number of the last window (the window
count).
# the number of the last accessed window (where
|CTRL-W_p| goes to). If there is no previous
window or it is in another tab page 0 is
returned.
{N}j the number of the Nth window below the
current window (where |CTRL-W_j| goes to).
{N}k the number of the Nth window above the current
window (where |CTRL-W_k| goes to).
{N}h the number of the Nth window left of the
current window (where |CTRL-W_h| goes to).
{N}l the number of the Nth window right of the
current window (where |CTRL-W_l| goes to).
The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
|:wincmd|.
Also see |tabpagewinnr()| and |win_getid()|.
Examples: >
let window_count = winnr('$')
let prev_window = winnr('#')
let wnum = winnr('3k')

< Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetWinval()->winnr()
<
*winrestcmd()*
winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
unchanged.
Example: >
:let cmd = winrestcmd()
:call MessWithWindowSizes()
:exe cmd
<
*winrestview()*
winrestview({dict})
Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
the view of the current window.
Note: The {dict} does not have to contain all values, that are
returned by |winsaveview()|. If values are missing, those
settings won't be restored. So you can use: >
:call winrestview({'curswant': 4})
<
This will only set the curswant value (the column the cursor
wants to move on vertical movements) of the cursor to column 5
(yes, that is 5), while all other settings will remain the
same. This is useful, if you set the cursor position manually.

If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.

If the window size changed the result won't be the same.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetView()->winrestview()
<
*winsaveview()*
winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
restore the view.
This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
not opened when moving around. This may have side effects.
The return value includes:
lnum cursor line number
col cursor column (Note: the first column
zero, as opposed to what getpos()
returns)
coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
curswant column for vertical movement
topline first line in the window
topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
leftcol first column displayed
skipcol columns skipped
Note that no option values are saved.

winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
{nr} can be the window number or the |window-ID|.
When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
Examples: >
:echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
:if winwidth(0) <= 50
: 50 wincmd |
:endif
< For getting the terminal or screen size, see the 'columns'
option.

Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetWinid()->winwidth()

wordcount() *wordcount()*
The result is a dictionary of byte/chars/word statistics for
the current buffer. This is the same info as provided by
|g_CTRL-G|
The return value includes:
bytes Number of bytes in the buffer
chars Number of chars in the buffer
words Number of words in the buffer
cursor_bytes Number of bytes before cursor position
(not in Visual mode)
cursor_chars Number of chars before cursor position
(not in Visual mode)
cursor_words Number of words before cursor position
(not in Visual mode)
visual_bytes Number of bytes visually selected
(only in Visual mode)
visual_chars Number of chars visually selected
(only in Visual mode)
visual_words Number of words visually selected
(only in Visual mode)

*writefile()*
writefile({object}, {fname} [, {flags}])
When {object} is a |List| write it to file {fname}. Each list
item is separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String
or Number.
When {flags} contains "b" then binary mode is used: There will
not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.

When {object} is a |Blob| write the bytes to file {fname}

unmodified.

When {flags} contains "a" then append mode is used, lines are
appended to the file: >
:call writefile(["foo"], "event.log", "a")
:call writefile(["bar"], "event.log", "a")
<
When {flags} contains "s" then fsync() is called after writing
the file. This flushes the file to disk, if possible. This
takes more time but avoids losing the file if the system
crashes.
When {flags} does not contain "S" or "s" then fsync() is
called if the 'fsync' option is set.
When {flags} contains "S" then fsync() is not called, even
when 'fsync' is set.

All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.

Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
to writefile().
An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
error message if the file can't be created or when writing
fails.
Also see |readfile()|.
To copy a file byte for byte: >
:let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
:call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")

< Can also be used as a |method|: >

GetText()->writefile("thefile")

xor({expr}, {expr}) xor()

Bitwise XOR on the two arguments. The arguments are converted
to a number. A List, Dict or Float argument causes an error.
Example: >
:let bits = xor(bits, 0x80)
<
Can also be used as a |method|: >
:let bits = bits->xor(0x80)
<

*feature-list*
There are three types of features:
1. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
:if has("cindent")
2. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
Example: >
:if has("gui_running")
< *has-patch*
3. Beyond a certain version or at a certain version and including a specific
patch. The "patch-7.4.248" feature means that the Vim version is 7.5 or
later, or it is version 7.4 and patch 248 was included. Example: >
:if has("patch-7.4.248")
< Note that it's possible for patch 248 to be omitted even though 249 is
included. Only happens when cherry-picking patches.
Note that this form only works for patch 7.4.237 and later, before that
you need to check for the patch and the v:version. Example (checking
version 6.2.148 or later): >
:if v:version > 602 || (v:version == 602 && has("patch148"))

Hint: To find out if Vim supports backslashes in a file name (MS-Windows),

use: `if exists('+shellslash')`

acl Compiled with |ACL| support.

all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
amiga Amiga version of Vim.
arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. (always true)
autochdir Compiled with support for 'autochdir'
autoservername Automatically enable |clientserver|
balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
beos BeOS version of Vim.
browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
work.
browsefilter Compiled with support for |browsefilter|.
bsd Compiled on an OS in the BSD family (excluding macOS).
builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
channel Compiled with support for |channel| and |job|
cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
clipboard_working Compiled with 'clipboard' support and it can be used.
cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
conpty Platform where |ConPTY| can be used.
cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
cursorbind Compiled with |'cursorbind'| (always true)
debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
directx Compiled with support for DirectX and 'renderoptions'.
dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
true, of course!
ex_extra |+ex_extra| (always true)
extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
|'hlsearch'|
farsi Support for Farsi was removed |farsi|.
file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
read/write/filter commands
find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
|+find_in_path|.
float Compiled with support for |Float|.
fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga and MS-Windows
this is not present).
folding Compiled with |folding| support.
footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
gui_gnome Compiled with Gnome support (gui_gtk is also defined).
gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
gui_gtk3 Compiled with GTK+ 3 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
gui_haiku Compiled with Haiku GUI.
gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
haiku Haiku version of Vim.
hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
hpux HP-UX version of Vim.
iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
Insert mode. (always true)
job Compiled with support for |channel| and |job|
ipv6 Compiled with support for IPv6 networking in |channel|.
jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
lambda Compiled with |lambda| support.
langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat', 'showbreak' and
'breakindent' support.
linux Linux version of Vim.
lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
and the argument list |arglist|.
localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
lua Compiled with Lua interface |Lua|.
mac Any Macintosh version of Vim cf. osx
macunix Synonym for osxdarwin
menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
(always true)
mouse Compiled with support mouse.
mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
mouse_gpm_enabled GPM mouse is working
mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
mouse_sysmouse Compiled with support for sysmouse (*BSD console mouse)
mouse_sgr Compiled with support for sgr mouse.
mouse_urxvt Compiled with support for urxvt mouse.
mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
multi_byte Compiled with support for 'encoding' (always true)
multi_byte_encoding 'encoding' is set to a multi-byte encoding.
multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and connected.
netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
num64 Compiled with 64-bit |Number| support.
ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
osx Compiled for macOS cf. mac
osxdarwin Compiled for macOS, with |mac-darwin-feature|
packages Compiled with |packages| support.
path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
perl Compiled with Perl interface.
persistent_undo Compiled with support for persistent undo history.
postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
python Python 2.x interface available. |has-python|
python_compiled Compiled with Python 2.x interface. |has-python|
python_dynamic Python 2.x interface is dynamically loaded. |has-python|
python3 Python 3.x interface available. |has-python|
python3_compiled Compiled with Python 3.x interface. |has-python|
python3_dynamic Python 3.x interface is dynamically loaded. |has-python|
pythonx Python 2.x and/or 3.x interface available. |python_x|
qnx QNX version of Vim.
quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
reltime Compiled with |reltime()| support.
rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support. (always true)
showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
sound Compiled with sound support, e.g. `sound_playevent()`
spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
startuptime Compiled with |--startuptime| support.
statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
sun SunOS version of Vim.
sun_workshop Support for Sun |workshop| has been removed.
syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
current buffer.
system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
|tag-binary-search|.
tag_old_static Support for old static tags was removed, see
|tag-old-static|.
tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
termguicolors Compiled with true color in terminal support.
terminal Compiled with |terminal| support.
terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
textprop Compiled with support for |text-properties|.
tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
or terminfo file.
timers Compiled with |timer_start()| support.
title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
ttyin input is a terminal (tty)
ttyout output is a terminal (tty)
unix Unix version of Vim. *+unix*
unnamedplus Compiled with support for "unnamedplus" in 'clipboard'
user_commands User-defined commands. (always true)
vartabs Compiled with variable tabstop support |'vartabstop'|.
vcon Win32: Virtual console support is working, can use
'termguicolors'. Also see |+vtp|.
vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
(always true)
vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place. |startup|
*vim_starting*
viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
vimscript-1 Compiled Vim script version 1 support
vimscript-2 Compiled Vim script version 2 support
vimscript-3 Compiled Vim script version 3 support
virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option. (always true)
visual Compiled with Visual mode. (always true)
visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands. (always
true) |blockwise-operators|.
vms VMS version of Vim.
vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands. (always true)
vtp Compiled for vcon support |+vtp| (check vcon to find
out if it works in the current console).
wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
win16 old version for MS-Windows 3.1 (always false)
win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95 and later, 32 or
64 bits)
win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME (always false)
winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
(always true)
writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
xpm Compiled with pixmap support.
xpm_w32 Compiled with pixmap support for Win32. (Only for
backward compatibility. Use "xpm" instead.)
xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
xterm screen.
x11 Compiled with X11 support.

*string-match*
Matching a pattern in a String
A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
with ".". Example: >
:let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
:echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
aa
xx
:echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
a
x

Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
"\n".

==============================================================================
5. Defining functions *user-functions*

New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.

This section is about the legacy functions. For the Vim9 functions, which
execute much faster, support type checking and more, see |vim9.txt|.

The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".

It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.

*local-function*
A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
function from a mapping defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
There are only script-local functions, no buffer-local or window-local
functions.

:fu :function E128 E129 E123

:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.

:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.

{name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
|Funcref|: >
:function dict.init

:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.

Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
:function /File$
<
*:function-verbose*
When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
last defined. Example: >

:verbose function SetFileTypeSH

function SetFileTypeSH(name)
Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
<
See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.

E124 E125 E853 E884

:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict] [closure]
Define a new function by the name {name}. The body of
the function follows in the next lines, until the
matching |:endfunction|.

The name must be made of alphanumeric characters and

'_', and must start with a capital or "s:" (see
above). Note that using "b:" or "g:" is not allowed.
(since patch 7.4.260 E884 is given if the function
name has a colon in the name, e.g. for "foo:bar()".
Before that patch no error was given).

{name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a

|Funcref|: >
:function dict.init(arg)
< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
"init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
is required to overwrite an existing function. The
result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
deleted if there are no more references to it.
*E127* *E122*
When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
not used an error message is given. There is one
exception: When sourcing a script again, a function
that was previously defined in that script will be
silently replaced.
When [!] is used, an existing function is silently
replaced. Unless it is currently being executed, that
is an error.
NOTE: Use ! wisely. If used without care it can cause
an existing function to be replaced unexpectedly,
which is hard to debug.
NOTE: In Vim9 script script-local functions cannot be
deleted or redefined.

For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.

:func-range a:firstline a:lastline

When the [range] argument is added, the function is
expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
of each line. See |function-range-example|.
The cursor is still moved to the first line of the
range, as is the case with all Ex commands.
*:func-abort*
When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
abort as soon as an error is detected.
*:func-dict*
When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
local variable "self" will then be set to the
dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
*:func-closure* *E932*
When the [closure] argument is added, the function
can access variables and arguments from the outer
scope. This is usually called a closure. In this
example Bar() uses "x" from the scope of Foo(). It
remains referenced even after Foo() returns: >
:function! Foo()
: let x = 0
: function! Bar() closure
: let x += 1
: return x
: endfunction
: return funcref('Bar')
:endfunction

:let F = Foo()
:echo F()
< 1 >
:echo F()
< 2 >
:echo F()
< 3

*function-search-undo*
The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
will not be changed by the function. This also
implies that the effect of |:nohlsearch| is undone
when the function returns.

:endf :endfunction E126 E193 W22

:endf[unction] [argument]
The end of a function definition. Best is to put it
on a line by its own, without [argument].

[argument] can be:

| command command to execute next
\n command command to execute next
" comment always ignored
anything else ignored, warning given when
'verbose' is non-zero
The support for a following command was added in Vim
8.0.0654, before that any argument was silently
ignored.

To be able to define a function inside an `:execute`

command, use line breaks instead of |:bar|: >
:exe "func Foo()\necho 'foo'\nendfunc"
<
*:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131* *E933*
:delf[unction][!] {name}
Delete function {name}.
{name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
|Funcref|: >
:delfunc dict.init
< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
function is deleted if there are no more references to
it.
With the ! there is no error if the function does not
exist.
*:retu* *:return* *E133*
:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
the number 0 is returned.
Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".

If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the

matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
are executed first. This process applies to all
nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
returns at the outermost ":endtry".

*function-argument* *a:var*
An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
*a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740* *...*
Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
*E742*
The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
However, if a composite type is used, such as |List| or |Dictionary| , you can
change their contents. Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the
function add an item to it. If you want to make sure the function cannot
change a |List| or |Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.

It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must

still supply the () then.

It is allowed to define another function inside a function body.

*optional-function-argument*
You can provide default values for positional named arguments. This makes
them optional for function calls. When a positional argument is not
specified at a call, the default expression is used to initialize it.
This only works for functions declared with `:function` or `:def`, not for
lambda expressions |expr-lambda|.

Example: >
function Something(key, value = 10)
echo a:key .. ": " .. a:value
endfunction
call Something('empty') "empty: 10"
call Something('key', 20) "key: 20"

The argument default expressions are evaluated at the time of the function
call, not definition. Thus it is possible to use an expression which is
invalid the moment the function is defined. The expressions are also only
evaluated when arguments are not specified during a call.

You can pass |v:none| to use the default expression. Note that this means you
cannot pass v:none as an ordinary value when an argument has a default
expression.

Example: >
function Something(a = 10, b = 20, c = 30)
endfunction
call Something(1, v:none, 3) " b = 20
<
*E989*
Optional arguments with default expressions must occur after any mandatory
arguments. You can use "..." after all optional named arguments.

It is possible for later argument defaults to refer to prior arguments,

but not the other way around. They must be prefixed with "a:", as with all
arguments.

Example that works: >

:function Okay(mandatory, optional = a:mandatory)
:endfunction
Example that does NOT work: >
:function NoGood(first = a:second, second = 10)
:endfunction
<
When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be at
least equal to the number of mandatory named arguments. When using "...", the
number of arguments may be larger than the total of mandatory and optional
arguments.

*local-variables*
Inside a function local variables can be used. These will disappear when the
function returns. Global variables need to be accessed with "g:".

Example: >
:function Table(title, ...)
: echohl Title
: echo a:title
: echohl None
: echo a:0 . " items:"
: for s in a:000
: echon ' ' . s
: endfor
:endfunction

This function can then be called with: >

call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
call Table("Empty Table")

To return more than one value, return a |List|: >

:function Compute(n1, n2)
: if a:n2 == 0
: return ["fail", 0]
: endif
: return ["ok", a:n1 / a:n2]
:endfunction
This function can then be called with: >
:let [success, div] = Compute(102, 6)
:if success == "ok"
: echo div
:endif
<
*:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
are as specified with `:function`. Up to 20 arguments can be
used. The returned value is discarded.
Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
function.
When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
this works:
*function-range-example* >
:function Mynumber(arg)
: echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
:endfunction
:1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
<
The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
can be used to do something different at the start or end of
the range.

Example of a function that handles the range itself: >

:function Cont() range

: execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
:endfunction
:4,8call Cont()
<
This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
of all the lines in the range, except the first one.

When the function returns a composite value it can be further

dereferenced, but the range will not be used then. Example: >
:4,8call GetDict().method()
< Here GetDict() gets the range but method() does not.

*E132*
The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
option.

It is also possible to use `:eval`. It does not support a range, but does
allow for method chaining, e.g.: >
eval GetList()->Filter()->append('$')

A function can also be called as part of evaluating an expression or when it

is used as a method: >
let x = GetList()
let y = GetList()->Filter()
AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
*autoload-functions*
When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.

Using an autocommand ~

This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.

The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with `:finish`.
That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
again, setting a variable to skip the `:finish` command.

Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
function(s) to be defined. Example: >

:au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim

The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.

Using an autoload script ~

*autoload* *E746*
This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.

Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using

exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
like this: >

:call filename#funcname()

When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
then define the function like this: >

function filename#funcname()
echo "Done!"
endfunction

The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
called.

It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like

a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >

:call foo#bar#func()

Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.

This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >

:let l = foo#bar#lvar
However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
for an unknown variable.

When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >

:let foo#bar#toggle = 1
:call foo#bar#func()

Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
And you will get an error message every time.

Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
other and vice versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.

Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.

==============================================================================
6. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*

In most places where you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name"
variable. This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions
wrapped in braces {} like this: >
my_{adjective}_variable

When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".

One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option

value. For example, the statement >
echo my_{&background}_message

would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending

on the current value of 'background'.

You can use multiple brace pairs: >

echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
..or even nest them: >
echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".

However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
:let foo='a + b'
:echo c{foo}d
.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.

*curly-braces-function-names*
You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
Example: >
:let func_end='whizz'
:call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)

This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".

This does NOT work: >

:let i = 3
:let @{i} = '' " error
:echo @{i} " error

==============================================================================
7. Commands *expression-commands*

:let {var-name} = {expr1} :let E18

Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
is created.

:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} E689

Set a list item to the result of the expression
{expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
the index can be repeated.
This cannot be used to add an item to a |List|.
This cannot be used to set a byte in a String. You
can do that like this: >
:let var = var[0:2] . 'X' . var[4:]
< When {var-name} is a |Blob| then {idx} can be the
length of the blob, in which case one byte is
appended.

*E711* *E719*
:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
correct number of items.
{idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
{idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
When the selected range of items is partly past the
end of the list, items will be added.

:let+= :let-= :letstar=

*:let/=* *:let%=* *:let.=* *:let..=* *E734* *E985*
:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
:let {var} *= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} * {expr1}".
:let {var} /= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} / {expr1}".
:let {var} %= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} % {expr1}".
:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
:let {var} ..= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} .. {expr1}".
These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
`.=` is not supported with Vim script version 2 and
later, see |vimscript-version|.

:let ${env-name} = {expr1} :let-environment :let-$

Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
On some systems making an environment variable empty
causes it to be deleted. Many systems do not make a
difference between an environment variable that is not
set and an environment variable that is empty.

:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}

Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
works like "=".

:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} :let-register :let-@

Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
{reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
must be the name of a writable register (see
|registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
register, "@/" for the search pattern.
If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
characterwise.
This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
:let @/ = ""
< This is different from searching for an empty string,
that would match everywhere.

:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}

Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.

:let &{option-name} = {expr1} :let-option :let-&

Set option {option-name} to the result of the
expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
always converted to the type of the option.
For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
value and the global value are changed.
Example: >
:let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
< This also works for terminal codes in the form t_xx.
But only for alphanumerical names. Example: >
:let &t_k1 = "\<Esc>[234;"
< When the code does not exist yet it will be created as
a terminal key code, there is no error.

:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}

For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.

:let &{option-name} += {expr1}

:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
{expr1}.

:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}

:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Like above, but only set the local value of an option
(if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Like above, but only set the global value of an option
(if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.

:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} :let-unpack E687 E688

{expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
{name2}, etc.
The number of names must match the number of items in
the |List|.
Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
command as mentioned above.
Example: >
:let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
{name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
:let x = [0, 1]
:let i = 0
:let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
:echo x
< The result is [0, 2].

:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}

:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
|List| item.

:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1} E452

Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
items than there are names. A list of the remaining
items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Example: >
:let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
<
:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
|List| item.

*:let=<<* *:let-heredoc*
*E990* *E991* *E172* *E221*
:let {var-name} =<< [trim] {endmarker}
text...
text...
{endmarker}
Set internal variable {var-name} to a List containing
the lines of text bounded by the string {endmarker}.
{endmarker} must not contain white space.
{endmarker} cannot start with a lower case character.
The last line should end only with the {endmarker}
string without any other character. Watch out for
white space after {endmarker}!

Without "trim" any white space characters in the lines

of text are preserved. If "trim" is specified before
{endmarker}, then indentation is stripped so you can
do: >
let text =<< trim END
if ok
echo 'done'
endif
END
< Results in: ["if ok", " echo 'done'", "endif"]
The marker must line up with "let" and the indentation
of the first line is removed from all the text lines.
Specifically: all the leading indentation exactly
matching the leading indentation of the first
non-empty text line is stripped from the input lines.
All leading indentation exactly matching the leading
indentation before `let` is stripped from the line
containing {endmarker}. Note that the difference
between space and tab matters here.

If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it is created.

Cannot be followed by another command, but can be
followed by a comment.

To avoid line continuation to be applied, consider

adding 'C' to 'cpoptions': >
set cpo+=C
let var =<< END
\ leading backslash
END
set cpo-=C
<
Examples: >
let var1 =<< END
Sample text 1
Sample text 2
Sample text 3
END

let data =<< trim DATA

1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
DATA
<
*E121*
:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
variable names may be given. Special names recognized
here: *E738*
g: global variables
b: local buffer variables
w: local window variables
t: local tab page variables
s: script-local variables
l: local function variables
v: Vim variables.

:let List the values of all variables. The type of the

variable is indicated before the value:
<nothing> String
# Number
* Funcref

:unl[et][!] {name} ... :unlet :unl E108 E795

Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
names can be given, they are all removed. The name
may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
variables.
One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
:unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
:unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
:unlet dict['two']
:unlet dict.two
< This is especially useful to clean up used global
variables and script-local variables (these are not
deleted when the script ends). Function-local
variables are automatically deleted when the function
ends.

:unl[et] ${env-name} ... :unlet-environment :unlet-$

Remove environment variable {env-name}.
Can mix {name} and ${env-name} in one :unlet command.
No error message is given for a non-existing
variable, also without !.
If the system does not support deleting an environment
variable, it is made empty.

*:cons* *:const*
:cons[t] {var-name} = {expr1}
:cons[t] [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1}
:cons[t] [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
:cons[t] {var-name} =<< [trim] {marker}
text...
text...
{marker}
Similar to |:let|, but additionally lock the variable
after setting the value. This is the same as locking
the variable with |:lockvar| just after |:let|, thus: >
:const x = 1
< is equivalent to: >
:let x = 1
:lockvar 1 x
< This is useful if you want to make sure the variable
is not modified.
*E995*
|:const| does not allow to for changing a variable: >
:let x = 1
:const x = 2 " Error!
< *E996*
Note that environment variables, option values and
register values cannot be used here, since they cannot
be locked.

:cons[t]
:cons[t] {var-name}
If no argument is given or only {var-name} is given,
the behavior is the same as |:let|.

:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... :lockvar :lockv

Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
A locked variable can be deleted: >
:lockvar v
:let v = 'asdf' " fails!
:unlet v
< *E741* *E940*
If you try to change a locked variable you get an
error message: "E741: Value is locked: {name}".
If you try to lock or unlock a built-in variable you
get an error message: "E940: Cannot lock or unlock
variable {name}".

[depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or

|Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
cannot add or remove items, but can
still change their values.
2 Also lock the values, cannot change
the items. If an item is a |List| or
|Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
items, but can still change the
values.
3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
|Dictionary| in the |List| /
|Dictionary|, one level deeper.
The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
*E743*
For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
loops.

Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|

and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
locked when used through the other variable.
Example: >
:let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
:let cl = l
:lockvar l
:let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
See |deepcopy()|.

:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... :unlockvar :unlo

Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
opposite of |:lockvar|.

:if {expr1} :if :end :endif :en E171 E579 E580

:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.

From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in

between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
backward compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
part was not executed either.

You can use this to remain compatible with older

versions: >
:if version >= 500
: version-5-specific-commands
:endif
< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
"endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
avoid problems: >
:if version >= 600
: execute "silent 1,$delete"
:endif
<
NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
properly in between ":if" and ":endif".

:else :el E581 E583

:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
or ":endif" if they previously were not being
executed.

:elseif :elsei E582 E584

:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
is no extra ":endif".

:wh[ile] {expr1} :while :endwhile :wh :endw

*E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
When an error is detected from a command inside the
loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Example: >
:let lnum = 1
:while lnum <= line("$")
:call FixLine(lnum)
:let lnum = lnum + 1
:endwhile
<
NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.

:for {var} in {object} :for E690 E732

:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
each item in {object}. {object} can be a |List| or
a |Blob|. Variable {var} is set to the value of each
item. When an error is detected for a command inside
the loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Changing {object} inside the loop affects what items
are used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
:for item in copy(mylist)
<
When {object} is a |List| and not making a copy, Vim
stores a reference to the next item in the |List|
before executing the commands with the current item.
Thus the current item can be removed without effect.
Removing any later item means it will not be found.
Thus the following example works (an inefficient way
to make a |List| empty): >
for item in mylist
call remove(mylist, 0)
endfor
< Note that reordering the |List| (e.g., with sort() or
reverse()) may have unexpected effects.

When {object} is a |Blob|, Vim always makes a copy to

iterate over. Unlike with |List|, modifying the
|Blob| does not affect the iteration.

:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}

:endfo[r]
Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
{var2}, etc. Example: >
:for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
:echo getline(lnum)[col]
:endfor
<
*:continue* *:con* *E586*
:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
to the start of the loop.
If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
|:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.

:break :brea E587

:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
":endfor".
If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
|:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.

:try :try :endt :endtry E600 E601 E602

:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
or autocommand invocations.

When an error or interrupt is detected and there is

a |:finally| command following, execution continues
after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
(dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
processing is terminated. Whether a function
definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.
Example: >
try | call Unknown() | finally | echomsg "cleanup" | endtry
echomsg "not reached"
<
Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
processing is not terminated.

The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt

exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
other errors are converted to a value of the form
"Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
error exception is not caught, always beginning with
the error number.
Examples: >
try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
<
*:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next |:catch|,
|:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
|:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
commands are skipped.
When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
Examples: >
:catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
:catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
:catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
:catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
:catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123:/ " catch error E123
:catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
:catch /.*/ " catch everything
:catch " same as /.*/
<
Another character can be used instead of / around the
{pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
{pattern}.
Information about the exception is available in
|v:exception|. Also see |throw-variables|.
NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
an error message because it may vary in different
locales.

:fina :finally E606 E607

:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
are executed whenever the part between the matching
|:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
|:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
*:th* *:throw* *E608*
:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
(which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
If the exception is not caught, the command processing
is terminated.
Example: >
:try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
< Note that "catch" may need to be on a separate line
for when an error causes the parsing to skip the whole
line and not see the "|" that separates the commands.

*:ec* *:echo*
:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
first {expr1} starts on a new line.
Also see |:comment|.
Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
cursor to the first column.
Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
Cannot be followed by a comment.
Example: >
:echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
< *:echo-redraw*
A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
And since Vim mostly postpones redrawing until it's
finished with a sequence of commands this happens
quite often. To avoid that a command from before the
":echo" causes a redraw afterwards (redraws are often
postponed until you type something), force a redraw
with the |:redraw| command. Example: >
:new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
<
*:echon*
:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
|:comment|.
Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
Cannot be followed by a comment.
Example: >
:echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
<
Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
command: >
:!echo % --> filename
< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
:!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
:echo % --> nothing
< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
:echo "%" --> %
< This just echoes the '%' character. >
:echo expand("%") --> filename
< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.

*:echoh* *:echohl*
:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
|:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
:echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.

*:echom* *:echomsg*
:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
message in the |message-history|.
Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
|:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
displayed, not interpreted.
The parsing works slightly different from |:echo|,
more like |:execute|. All the expressions are first
evaluated and concatenated before echoing anything.
If expressions does not evaluate to a Number or
String, string() is used to turn it into a string.
Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
Example: >
:echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
< See |:echo-redraw| to avoid the message disappearing
when the screen is redrawn.
*:echoe* *:echoerr*
:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
message in the |message-history|. When used in a
script or function the line number will be added.
Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
|:echomsg| command. When used inside a try conditional,
the message is raised as an error exception instead
(see |try-echoerr|).
Example: >
:echoerr "This script just failed!"
< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
And to get a beep: >
:exe "normal \<Esc>"
<
*:eval*
:eval {expr} Evaluate {expr} and discard the result. Example: >
:eval Getlist()->Filter()->append('$')

< The expression is supposed to have a side effect,

since the resulting value is not used. In the example
the `append()` call appends the List with text to the
buffer. This is similar to `:call` but works with any
expression.

The command can be shortened to `:ev` or `:eva`, but

these are hard to recognize and therefore not to be
used.

The command cannot be followed by "|" and another

command, since "|" is seen as part of the expression.

*:exe* *:execute*
:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
of {expr1} as an Ex command.
Multiple arguments are concatenated, with a space in
between. To avoid the extra space use the "."
operator to concatenate strings into one argument.
{expr1} is used as the processed command, command line
editing keys are not recognized.
Cannot be followed by a comment.
Examples: >
:execute "buffer" nextbuf
:execute "normal" count . "w"
<
":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
:execute '!ls' | echo "theend"

< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type

control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
command: >
:execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.

Be careful to correctly escape special characters in

file names. The |fnameescape()| function can be used
for Vim commands, |shellescape()| for |:!| commands.
Examples: >
:execute "e " . fnameescape(filename)
:execute "!ls " . shellescape(filename, 1)
<
Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
starting or ending "if", "while" and "for" does not
always work, because when commands are skipped the
":execute" is not evaluated and Vim loses track of
where blocks start and end. Also "break" and
"continue" should not be inside ":execute".
This example does not work, because the ":execute" is
not evaluated and Vim does not see the "while", and
gives an error for finding an ":endwhile": >
:if 0
: execute 'while i > 5'
: echo "test"
: endwhile
:endif
<
It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
completely in the executed string: >
:execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
<

*:exe-comment*
":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
comment. Example: >
:echo "foo" | "this is a comment
==============================================================================
8. Exception handling *exception-handling*

The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
explains how it can be used in a Vim script.

Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see

TRY CONDITIONALS try-conditionals

Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >

:try
: ...
: ... TRY BLOCK
: ...
:catch /{pattern}/
: ...
: ... CATCH CLAUSE
: ...
:catch /{pattern}/
: ...
: ... CATCH CLAUSE
: ...
:finally
: ...
: ... FINALLY CLAUSE
: ...
:endtry

The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
continues in the following line as usual.
When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
see |try-nesting|.
When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.

The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for

a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
from the finally clause.
When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
this pending exception or command is discarded.

For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.

NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS try-nesting

Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try

conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
the inner try conditional.

When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
as usual.

For examples see |throw-catch|.

EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*

Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
(see |debug-scripts|).

THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS throw-catch

You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
:throw 4711
:throw "string"
< *throw-expression*
You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
first, and the result is thrown: >
:throw 4705 + strlen("string")
:throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)

An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"

command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
Example: >

:function! Foo(arg)
: try
: throw a:arg
: catch /foo/
: endtry
: return 1
:endfunction
:
:function! Bar()
: echo "in Bar"
: return 4710
:endfunction
:
:throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()

This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
executed. >
:throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.

Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be

abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
Example: >

:if Foo("arrgh")
: echo "then"
:else
: echo "else"
:endif
Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.

*catch-order*
Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
Example: >

:function! Foo(value)
: try
: throw a:value
: catch /^\d\+$/
: echo "Number thrown"
: catch /.*/
: echo "String thrown"
: endtry
:endfunction
:
:call Foo(0x1267)
:call Foo('string')

The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >

: catch /.*/
: echo "String thrown"
: catch /^\d\+$/
: echo "Number thrown"

The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
never taken.

*throw-variables*
If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
in the variable |v:exception|: >

: catch /^\d\+$/
: echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception

You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
Example: >

:function! Caught()
: if v:exception != ""
: echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
: else
: echo 'Nothing caught'
: endif
:endfunction
:
:function! Foo()
: try
: try
: try
: throw 4711
: finally
: call Caught()
: endtry
: catch /.*/
: call Caught()
: throw "oops"
: endtry
: catch /.*/
: call Caught()
: finally
: call Caught()
: endtry
:endfunction
:
:call Foo()

This displays >

Nothing caught
Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
Nothing caught

A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line

number in the script or function where it has been used: >

:function! LineNumber()
: return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D$\d\+$.*', '\1', "")
:endfunction
:command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
<
*try-nested*
An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
a surrounding try conditional: >

:try
: try
: throw "foo"
: catch /foobar/
: echo "foobar"
: finally
: echo "inner finally"
: endtry
:catch /foo/
: echo "foo"
:endtry

The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".

*throw-from-catch*
You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
catch clause: >

:function! Foo()
: throw "foo"
:endfunction
:
:function! Bar()
: try
: call Foo()
: catch /foo/
: echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
: throw "bar"
: endtry
:endfunction
:
:try
: call Bar()
:catch /.*/
: echo "Caught" v:exception
:endtry

This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".

*rethrow*
There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
"v:exception" instead: >

:function! Bar()
: try
: call Foo()
: catch /.*/
: echo "Rethrow" v:exception
: throw v:exception
: endtry
:endfunction
< *try-echoerr*
Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >

:try
: try
: asdf
: catch /.*/
: echoerr v:exception
: endtry
:catch /.*/
: echo v:exception
:endtry

This code displays

Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~

CLEANUP CODE try-finally

Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
clause has been executed.)
Example: >

:try
: let s:saved_ts = &ts
: set ts=17
:
: " Do the hard work here.
:
:finally
: let &ts = s:saved_ts
: unlet s:saved_ts
:endtry

This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script

changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
that function or script part.

*break-finally*
Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
Example: >

:let first = 1
:while 1
: try
: if first
: echo "first"
: let first = 0
: continue
: else
: throw "second"
: endif
: catch /.*/
: echo v:exception
: break
: finally
: echo "cleanup"
: endtry
: echo "still in while"
:endwhile
:echo "end"

This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >

:function! Foo()
: try
: return 4711
: finally
: echo "cleanup\n"
: endtry
: echo "Foo still active"
:endfunction
:
:echo Foo() "returned by Foo"

This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
return value.)

*except-from-finally*
Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
working correctly: >

:try
: try
: echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
: while 1
: endwhile
: finally
: unlet novar
: endtry
:catch /novar/
:endtry
:echo "Script still running"
:sleep 1

If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.

CATCHING ERRORS catch-errors

If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
the error exception is.
Error exceptions have the following format: >

Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
or >
Vim:{errmsg}

{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
a space.

Examples:

The command >

:unlet novar
normally produces the error message >
E108: No such variable: "novar"
which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"

The command >

:dwim
normally produces the error message >
E492: Not an editor command: dwim
which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim

You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >

:catch /^Vim(unlet):/
or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
:catch /^Vim:E492:/

Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >

:function nofunc
and >
:delfunction nofunc
both produce the error message >
E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
or >
Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
:catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/

Some commands like >

:let x = novar
produce multiple error messages, here: >
E121: Undefined variable: novar
E15: Invalid expression: novar
Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
:catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/

You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
:catch /\<nofunc\>/

You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
:catch /^Vim($write\|read$):E\d\+:/

You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >

:catch /^Vim$(\a\+)$\=:E\d\+:/
<
*catch-text*
NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
:catch /No such variable/
only works in the English locale, but not when the user has selected
a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
cite the message text in a comment: >
:catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable

IGNORING ERRORS ignore-errors

You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
:try
: write
:catch
:endtry

But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >

:au BufWritePre * unlet novar

There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
then hide the error from the user.
It is much better to use >

:try
: write
:catch /^Vim(write):/
:endtry

which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
intentionally.

For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
command: >
:silent! nunmap k
This works also when a try conditional is active.

CATCHING INTERRUPTS catch-interrupt

When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to

the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
script is not terminated, then.
Example: >

:function! TASK1()
: sleep 10
:endfunction

:function! TASK2()
: sleep 20
:endfunction

:while 1
: let command = input("Type a command: ")
: try
: if command == ""
: continue
: elseif command == "END"
: break
: elseif command == "TASK1"
: call TASK1()
: elseif command == "TASK2"
: call TASK2()
: else
: echo "\nIllegal command:" command
: continue
: endif
: catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
: echo "\nCommand interrupted"
: " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
: endtry
:endwhile

You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.

CATCHING ALL catch-all

The commands >

:catch /.*/
:catch //
:catch

catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions

explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
a script in order to catch unexpected things.
Example: >

:try
:
: " do the hard work here
:
:catch /MyException/
:
: " handle known problem
:
:catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
: echo "Script interrupted"
:catch /.*/
: echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
: echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
:endtry
:" end of script

Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
by pressing CTRL-C: >

:while 1
: try
: sleep 1
: catch
: endtry
:endwhile
EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*

Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >

:autocmd User x try

:autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
:autocmd User x catch
:autocmd User x echo v:exception
:autocmd User x endtry
:autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
:autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
:
:try
: doautocmd User x
:catch
: echo v:exception
:endtry

This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".

*except-autocmd-Pre*
For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
Example: >

:autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"

:autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
:
:try
: write
:catch
: echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
:endtry

Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
script displays: >

Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"

<
*except-autocmd-Post*
For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
Example: >

:autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"

:
:try
: write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
:catch
: echo v:exception
:endtry

This just displays: >

Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)

If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
Example: >

:autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly

:autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
:
:try
: write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
:catch
: doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
:endtry
<
You can also use ":silent!": >

:let x = "ok"
:let v:errmsg = ""
:autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
:autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
:autocmd BufWritePost * endif
:try
: silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
:catch
:endtry
:echo x

This displays "after fail".

If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >

:autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("

:autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
:
:try
: write
:catch
: echo v:exception
:endtry
<
*except-autocmd-Cmd*
For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
of the command.
Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
some way. >

:if !exists("cnt")
: let cnt = 0
:
: autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
: autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
: autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
: autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
: autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
: autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
: autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
: autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
: autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
: autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
: autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
:endif
:
:try
: write
:catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
: if &modified
: echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
: else
: echo "Error after writing"
: endif
:catch /^Vim(write):/
: echo "Error on writing"
:endtry

When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
first >
File successfully written!
then >
Error on writing (file contents not changed)
then >
Error after writing
etc.

*except-autocmd-ill*
You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
The following code is ill-formed: >

:autocmd BufWritePre * try

:
:autocmd BufWritePost * catch
:autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
:autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
:
:write

EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS except-hier-param

Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to

pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
similar things in Vim.
In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
for an error when writing "myfile".
With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
Example: >

:function! CheckRange(a, func)

: if a:a < 0
: throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
: endif
:endfunction
:
:function! Add(a, b)
: call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
: call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
: let c = a:a + a:b
: if c < 0
: throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
: endif
: return c
:endfunction
:
:function! Div(a, b)
: call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
: call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
: if (a:b == 0)
: throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
: endif
: return a:a / a:b
:endfunction
:
:function! Write(file)
: try
: execute "write" fnameescape(a:file)
: catch /^Vim(write):/
: throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
: endtry
:endfunction
:
:try
:
: " something with arithmetics and I/O
:
:catch /ÊXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
: let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*($\a\+$).*', '\1', "")
: echo "Range error in" function
:
:catch /ÊXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
: echo "Math error"
:
:catch /ÊXCEPT:IO/
: let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*($.\+$,\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
: let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*$.\+$).*', '\1', "")
: if file !~ '^/'
: let file = dir . "/" . file
: endif
: echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
:
:catch /ÊXCEPT/
: echo "Unspecified error"
:
:endtry

The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.

PECULIARITIES
*except-compat*
The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
and/or a catch clause.

In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).

This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
by specifying a finally clause.)

When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation

behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.

However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
scripts.

*except-syntax-err*
Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
clauses, however, is executed.
Example: >

:try
: try
: throw 4711
: catch /\(/
: echo "in catch with syntax error"
: catch
: echo "inner catch-all"
: finally
: echo "inner finally"
: endtry
:catch
: echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
: finally
: echo "outer finally"
:endtry

This displays: >

inner finally
outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
outer finally
The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.

*except-single-line*
The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
Example: >
:try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
displayed.

*except-several-errors*
When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
Example: >
echo novar
causes >
E121: Undefined variable: novar
E15: Invalid expression: novar
The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
< *except-syntax-error*
But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
Example: >
unlet novar #
causes >
E108: No such variable: "novar"
E488: Trailing characters
The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
not intended by the user. Example: >
try
try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
catch /.*/
echo "outer catch:" v:exception
endtry
This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.

==============================================================================
9. Examples *eval-examples*

Printing in Binary ~
>
:" The function Nr2Bin() returns the binary string representation of a number.
:func Nr2Bin(nr)
: let n = a:nr
: let r = ""
: while n
: let r = '01'[n % 2] . r
: let n = n / 2
: endwhile
: return r
:endfunc

:" The function String2Bin() converts each character in a string to a

:" binary string, separated with dashes.
:func String2Bin(str)
: let out = ''
: for ix in range(strlen(a:str))
: let out = out . '-' . Nr2Bin(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
: endfor
: return out[1:]
:endfunc

Example of its use: >

:echo Nr2Bin(32)
result: "100000" >
:echo String2Bin("32")
result: "110011-110010"

Sorting lines ~

This example sorts lines with a specific compare function. >

:func SortBuffer()
: let lines = getline(1, '$')
: call sort(lines, function("Strcmp"))
: call setline(1, lines)
:endfunction

As a one-liner: >
:call setline(1, sort(getline(1, '$'), function("Strcmp")))

scanf() replacement ~
*sscanf*
There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
:" Set up the match bit
:let mx='$\f\+$,\s*$\d\+$,\s*$\d\+$'
:"get the part matching the whole expression
:let l = matchstr(line, mx)
:"get each item out of the match
:let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
:let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
:let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')

The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)

getting the scriptnames in a Dictionary ~

*scriptnames-dictionary*
The |:scriptnames| command can be used to get a list of all script files that
have been sourced. There is no equivalent function or variable for this
(because it's rarely needed). In case you need to manipulate the list this
code can be used: >
" Get the output of ":scriptnames" in the scriptnames_output variable.
let scriptnames_output = ''
redir => scriptnames_output
silent scriptnames
redir END

" Split the output into lines and parse each line. Add an entry to the
" "scripts" dictionary.
let scripts = {}
for line in split(scriptnames_output, "\n")
" Only do non-blank lines.
if line =~ '\S'
" Get the first number in the line.
let nr = matchstr(line, '\d\+')
" Get the file name, remove the script number " 123: ".
let name = substitute(line, '.\+:\s*', '', '')
" Add an item to the Dictionary
let scripts[nr] = name
endif
endfor
unlet scriptnames_output

==============================================================================
10. Vim script versions *vimscript-version* *vimscript-versions*
*scriptversion*
Over time many features have been added to Vim script. This includes Ex
commands, functions, variable types, etc. Each individual feature can be
checked with the |has()| and |exists()| functions.

Sometimes old syntax of functionality gets in the way of making Vim better.
When support is taken away this will break older Vim scripts. To make this
explicit the |:scriptversion| command can be used. When a Vim script is not
compatible with older versions of Vim this will give an explicit error,
instead of failing in mysterious ways.

*scriptversion-1* >
:scriptversion 1
< This is the original Vim script, same as not using a |:scriptversion|
command. Can be used to go back to old syntax for a range of lines.
Test for support with: >
has('vimscript-1')

< scriptversion-2 >

:scriptversion 2
< String concatenation with "." is not supported, use ".." instead.
This avoids the ambiguity using "." for Dict member access and
floating point numbers. Now ".5" means the number 0.5.

*scriptversion-3* >
:scriptversion 3
< All |vim-variable|s must be prefixed by "v:". E.g. "version" doesn't
work as |v:version| anymore, it can be used as a normal variable.
Same for some obvious names as "count" and others.
Test for support with: >
has('vimscript-3')
<
*scriptversion-4* >
:scriptversion 4
< Numbers with a leading zero are not recognized as octal. With the
previous version you get: >
echo 017 " displays 15
echo 018 " displays 18
< with script version 4: >
echo 017 " displays 17
echo 018 " displays 18
< Also, it is possible to use single quotes inside numbers to make them
easier to read: >
echo 1'000'000
< The quotes must be surrounded by digits.

Test for support with: >

has('vimscript-4')

==============================================================================
11. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*

When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
recognized.

Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is

missing: >

:if 1
: echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
:else
: echo "You will _never_ see this message"
:endif

To execute a command only when the |+eval| feature is disabled can be done in
two ways. The simplest is to exit the script (or Vim) prematurely: >
if 1
echo "commands executed with +eval"
finish
endif
args " command executed without +eval

If you do not want to abort loading the script you can use a trick, as this
example shows: >

silent! while 0
set history=111
silent! endwhile

When the |+eval| feature is available the command is skipped because of the
"while 0". Without the |+eval| feature the "while 0" is an error, which is
silently ignored, and the command is executed.
==============================================================================
12. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*

The 'foldexpr', 'formatexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and

'foldtext' options may be evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are
protected from these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some
safety for when these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when
the command from a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.

These items are not allowed in the sandbox:

- changing the buffer text
- defining or changing mapping, autocommands, user commands
- setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
- setting certain v: variables (see |v:var|) *E794*
- executing a shell command
- reading or writing a file
- jumping to another buffer or editing a file
- executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.

*:san* *:sandbox*
:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
'foldexpr'.

*sandbox-option*
A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
location. Insecure in this context are:
- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directory
- while executing in the sandbox
- value coming from a modeline
- executing a function that was defined in the sandbox

Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.

==============================================================================
13. Textlock *textlock*

In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.

This is not allowed when the textlock is active:

- changing the buffer text
- jumping to another buffer or window
- editing another file
- closing a window or quitting Vim
- etc.

vim:tw=78:ts=8:noet:ft=help:norl:

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Eval

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Eval

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*eval.txt* For Vim version 8.2.

Last change: 2020 May 25

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|.

Testing support is documented in |testing.txt|.

1.1 Variable types ~

Float A floating point number. |floating-point-format| *Float*

List An ordered sequence of items, see |List| for details.

Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a

Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.

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*

Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of

To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >

To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different

*TRUE* *FALSE* *Boolean*

Note that in the command: >

*E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731* *E908* *E910* *E913*

*E805* *E806* *E808*

*E891* *E892* *E893* *E894* *E907* *E911* *E914*

1.2 Function references ~

A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a

A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >

let Cb = function('Callback', ['foo'], myDict)

This will invoke the function as if using: >

let myDict.myFunction = MyFunction

let otherDict.myFunction = myDict.myFunction

let myDict.myFunction = function(MyFunction, myDict)

Here "self" will be "myDict", because it was bound explicitly.

An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a

An extra comma after the last item is ignored.

When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >

Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >

To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a

To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in

This works like: >

Changing the order of items in a list: >

This works like: >

It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >

A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a

An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.

Dictionary to List conversion ~

To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >

Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.

Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >

This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the

It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a

It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.

Functions for Dictionaries ~

A Blob can be created with a |blob-literal|: >

A blob can be read from a channel with the |ch_readblob()| function.

Two blobs can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >

To change a blob in-place see |blob-modification| below.

To change a sequence of bytes the [:] notation can be used: >

Blobs can be compared for equality: >

1.6 More about variables ~

When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that

variable name can be stored where ~

It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see

Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:

expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case

expr5 is expr5 same |List|, |Dictionary| or |Blob| instance

|expr9| number number constant

"..." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.

expr1 *expr1* *E109*

expr2 ? expr1 : expr1

The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to

To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >

expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*

expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR *expr-barbar*

The operators can be concatenated, for example: >

&nu || &list && &shell == "csh"

&nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")

echo exists("b") && b == "yes"

eval.txt For Vim version 8.2.

Expression evaluation expression expr E15 eval

Float A floating point number. |floating-point-format| Float

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

TRUE FALSE Boolean

E745 E728 E703 E729 E730 E731 E908 E910 E913

E805 E806 E808

E891 E892 E893 E894 E907 E911 E914

expr1 expr1 E109

expr2 and expr3 expr2 expr3

expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR expr-barbar

expr-== expr-!= expr-> expr->=

expr5 and expr6 expr5 expr6

expr7 * expr7 Number multiplication expr-star

. and % do not work for Float. E804

expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| expr-[] E111

expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist expr-[:]

expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| expr-entry

expr8->name([args]) method call method ->

string string String expr-string E114

blob-literal blob-literal E973

literal-string literal-string E115

option expr-option E112 E113

register expr-register @r

environment variable expr-env

internal variable expr-variable

function call expr-function E116 E118 E119 E120

lambda expression expr-lambda lambda

window-variable w:var w:

tabpage-variable t:var t:

global-variable g:var g:

local-variable l:var l:

PREDEFINED VIM VARIABLES vim-variable v:var v:

v:errors errors-variable assert-return

v:none none-variable None

v:searchforward v:searchforward searchforward-variable

v:t_TYPE v:t_bool t_bool-variable

add({object}, {expr}) add()