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1 *editing.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2004 Jun 14
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4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
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6
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7 Editing files *edit-files*
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8
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9 1. Introduction |edit-intro|
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10 2. Editing a file |edit-a-file|
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11 3. Dialogs |edit-dialogs|
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12 4. The current directory |current-directory|
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13 5. The argument list |argument-list|
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14 6. Writing |writing|
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15 7. Writing and quitting |write-quit|
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16 8. Editing binary files |edit-binary|
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17 9. Encryption |encryption|
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18 10. Timestamps |timestamps|
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19
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20 ==============================================================================
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21 1. Introduction *edit-intro*
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22
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23 Editing a file with Vim means:
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24
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25 1. reading the file into the internal buffer
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26 2. changing the buffer with editor commands
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27 3. writing the buffer into a file
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28
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29 *current-file*
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30 As long as you don't write the buffer, the original file remains unchanged.
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31 If you start editing a file (read a file into the buffer), the file name is
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32 remembered as the "current file name".
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33
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34 *alternate-file*
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35 If there already was a current file name, then that one becomes the alternate
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36 file name. All file names are remembered in the file list. When you enter a
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37 file name, for editing (e.g., with ":e filename") or writing (e.g., with (:w
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38 file name"), the file name is added to the list. You can use this list to
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39 remember which files you edited and to quickly switch from one file to
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40 another with the CTRL-^ command (e.g., to copy text). First type the number
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41 of the file and then hit CTRL-^. {Vi: only one alternate file name}
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42
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43 CTRL-G or *CTRL-G* *:f* *:fi* *:file*
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44 :f[ile] Prints the current file name (as typed), the
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45 cursor position (unless the 'ruler' option is set),
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46 and the file status (readonly, modified, read errors,
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47 new file)). See the 'shortmess' option about how tho
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48 make this message shorter. {Vi does not include
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49 column number}
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50
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51 {count}CTRL-G Like CTRL-G, but prints the current file name with
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52 full path. If the count is higher than 1 the current
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53 buffer number is also given. {not in Vi}
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54
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55 *g_CTRL-G* *word-count* *byte-count*
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56 g CTRL-G Prints the current position of the cursor in four
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57 ways: Column, Line, Word and Byte. If there are
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58 characters in the line that take more than one
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59 position on the screen (<Tab> or special character),
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60 both the "real" column and the screen column are
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61 shown, separated with a dash. See also 'ruler'
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62 option. {not in Vi}
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63
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64 *v_g_CTRL-G*
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65 {Visual}g CTRL-G Similar to "g CTRL-G", but Word, Line, and Byte counts
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66 for the visually selected region are displayed. In
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67 Blockwise mode, Column count is also shown. (For
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68 {Visual} see |Visual-mode|.)
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69 {not in VI}
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70
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71 *:file_f*
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72 :f[ile] {name} Sets the current file name to {name}.
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73
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74 :buffers
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75 :files
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76 :ls List all the currently known file names. See
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77 'windows.txt' |:files| |:buffers| |:ls|. {not in
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78 Vi}
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79
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80 Vim will remember the full path name of a file name that you enter. In most
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81 cases when the file name is displayed only the name you typed is shown, but
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82 the full path name is being used if you used the ":cd" command |:cd|.
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83
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84 *home-replace*
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85 If the environment variable $HOME is set, and the file name starts with that
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86 string, it is often displayed with HOME replaced with "~". This was done to
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87 keep file names short. When reading or writing files the full name is still
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88 used, the "~" is only used when displaying file names. When replacing the
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89 file name would result in just "~", "~/" is used instead (to avoid confusion
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90 with 'backupext' set to "~").
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91
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92 When writing the buffer, the default is to use the current file name. Thus
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93 when you give the "ZZ" or ":wq" command, the original file will be
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94 overwritten. If you do not want this, the buffer can be written into another
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95 file by giving a file name argument to the ":write" command. For example: >
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96
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97 vim testfile
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98 [change the buffer with editor commands]
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99 :w newfile
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100 :q
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101
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102 This will create a file "newfile", that is a modified copy of "testfile".
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103 The file "testfile" will remain unchanged. Anyway, if the 'backup' option is
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104 set, Vim renames or copies the original file before it will be overwritten.
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105 You can use this file if you discover that you need the original file. See
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106 also the 'patchmode' option. The name of the backup file is normally the same
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107 as the original file with 'backupext' appended. The default "~" is a bit
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108 strange to avoid accidentally overwriting existing files. If you prefer ".bak"
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109 change the 'backupext' option. Extra dots are replaced with '_' on MS-DOS
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110 machines, when Vim has detected that an MS-DOS-like filesystem is being used
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111 (e.g., messydos or crossdos) or when the 'shortname' option is on. The
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112 backup file can be placed in another directory by setting 'backupdir'.
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113
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114 *auto-shortname*
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115 Technical: On the Amiga you can use 30 characters for a file name. But on an
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116 MS-DOS-compatible filesystem only 8 plus 3 characters are
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117 available. Vim tries to detect the type of filesystem when it is
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118 creating the .swp file. If an MS-DOS-like filesystem is suspected,
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119 a flag is set that has the same effect as setting the 'shortname'
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120 option. This flag will be reset as soon as you start editing a
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121 new file. The flag will be used when making the file name for the
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122 ".swp" and ".~" files for the current file. But when you are
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123 editing a file in a normal filesystem and write to an MS-DOS-like
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124 filesystem the flag will not have been set. In that case the
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125 creation of the ".~" file may fail and you will get an error
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126 message. Use the 'shortname' option in this case.
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127
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128 When you started editing without giving a file name, "No File" is displayed in
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129 messages. If the ":write" command is used with a file name argument, the file
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130 name for the current file is set to that file name. This only happens when
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131 the 'F' flag is included in 'cpoptions' (by default it is included). This is
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132 useful when entering text in an empty buffer and then writing it to a file.
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133 If 'cpoptions' contains the 'f' flag (by default it is NOT included) the file
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134 name is set for the ":read file" command. This is useful when starting Vim
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135 without an argument and then doing ":read file" to start editing a file.
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136 *not-edited*
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137 Because the file name was set without really starting to edit that file, you
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138 are protected from overwriting that file. This is done by setting the
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139 "notedited" flag. You can see if this flag is set with the CTRL-G or ":file"
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140 command. It will include "[Not edited]" when the "notedited" flag is set.
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141 When writing the buffer to the current file name (with ":w!"), the "notedited"
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142 flag is reset.
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143
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144 *abandon*
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145 Vim remembers whether you have changed the buffer. You are protected from
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146 losing the changes you made. If you try to quit without writing, or want to
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147 start editing another file, Vim will refuse this. In order to overrule this
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148 protection, add a '!' to the command. The changes will then be lost. For
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149 example: ":q" will not work if the buffer was changed, but ":q!" will. To see
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150 whether the buffer was changed use the "CTRL-G" command. The message includes
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151 the string "[Modified]" if the buffer has been changed.
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152
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153 If you want to automatically save the changes without asking, switch on the
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154 'autowriteall' option. 'autowrite' is the associated Vi-compatible option
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155 that does not work for all commands.
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156
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157 If you want to keep the changed buffer without saving it, switch on the
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158 'hidden' option. See |hidden-buffer|.
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159
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160 ==============================================================================
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161 2. Editing a file *edit-a-file*
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162
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163 *:e* *:edit*
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164 :e[dit] [++opt] [+cmd] Edit the current file. This is useful to re-edit the
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165 current file, when it has been changed outside of Vim.
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166 This fails when changes have been made to the current
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167 buffer and 'autowriteall' isn't set or the file can't
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168 be written.
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169 Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.
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170 {Vi: no ++opt}
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171
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172 *:edit!*
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173 :e[dit]! [++opt] [+cmd]
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174 Edit the current file always. Discard any changes to
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175 the current buffer. This is useful if you want to
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176 start all over again.
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177 Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.
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178 {Vi: no ++opt}
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179
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180 *:edit_f*
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181 :e[dit] [++opt] [+cmd] {file}
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182 Edit {file}.
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183 This fails when changes have been made to the current
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184 buffer, unless 'hidden' is set or 'autowriteall' is
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185 set and the file can be written.
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186 Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.
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187 {Vi: no ++opt}
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188
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189 *:edit!_f*
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190 :e[dit]! [++opt] [+cmd] {file}
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191 Edit {file} always. Discard any changes to the
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192 current buffer.
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193 Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.
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194 {Vi: no ++opt}
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195
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196 :e[dit] [++opt] [+cmd] #[count]
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197 Edit the [count]th alternate file name (as shown by
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198 :files). This command does the same as
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199 [count] CTRL-^. But ":e #" doesn't work if the
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200 alternate buffer doesn't have a file name, while
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201 CTRL-^ still works then.
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202 Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.
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203 {Vi: no ++opt}
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204
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205 *:ene* *:enew*
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206 :ene[w] Edit a new, unnamed buffer. This fails when changes
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207 have been made to the current buffer, unless 'hidden'
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208 is set or 'autowriteall' is set and the file can be
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209 written.
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210 If 'fileformats' is not empty, the first format given
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211 will be used for the new buffer. If 'fileformats' is
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212 empty, the 'fileformat' of the current buffer is used.
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213 {not in Vi}
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214
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215 *:ene!* *:enew!*
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216 :ene[w]! Edit a new, unnamed buffer. Discard any changes to
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217 the current buffer.
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218 Set 'fileformat' like |:enew|.
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219 {not in Vi}
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220
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221 *:fin* *:find*
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222 :fin[d][!] [++opt] [+cmd] {file}
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223 Find {file} in 'path' and then |:edit| it.
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224 {not in Vi} {not available when the |+file_in_path|
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225 feature was disabled at compile time}
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226
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227 :{count}fin[d][!] [++opt] [+cmd] {file}
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228 Just like ":find", but use the {count} match in
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229 'path'. Thus ":2find file" will find the second
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230 "file" found in 'path'. When there are fewer matches
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231 for the file in 'path' than asked for, you get an
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232 error message.
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233
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234 *:ex*
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235 :ex [++opt] [+cmd] [file]
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236 Same as |:edit|.
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237
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238 *:vi* *:visual*
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239 :vi[sual][!] [++opt] [+cmd] [file]
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240 When entered in Ex mode: Leave |Ex-mode|, go back to
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241 Normal mode. Otherwise same as |:edit|.
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242
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243 *:vie* *:view*
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244 :vie[w] [++opt] [+cmd] file
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245 When entered in Ex mode: Leave Ex mode, go back to
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246 Normal mode. Otherwise same as |:edit|, but set
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247 'readonly' option for this buffer. {not in Vi}
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248
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249 *CTRL-^* *CTRL-6*
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250 [count]CTRL-^ Edit [count]th alternate file (equivalent to ":e
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251 #[count]"). Without count this gets you to the
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252 previously edited file. This is a quick way to toggle
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253 between two (or more) files.
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254 If the 'autowrite' or 'autowriteall' option is on and
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255 the buffer was changed, write it.
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256 Mostly the ^ character is positioned on the 6 key,
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257 pressing CTRL and 6 then gets you what we call CTRL-^.
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258 But on some non-US keyboards CTRL-^ is produced in
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259 another way.
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260
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261 [count]]f *]f* *[f*
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262 [count][f Same as "gf". Deprecated.
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263
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264 *gf* *E446* *E447*
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265 [count]gf Edit the file whose name is under or after the cursor.
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266 Mnemonic: "goto file".
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267 Uses the 'isfname' option to find out which characters
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268 are supposed to be in a file name. Trailing
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269 punctuation characters ".,:;!" are ignored.
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270 Uses the 'path' option as a list of directory names
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271 to look for the file. Also looks for the file
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272 relative to the current file.
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273 Uses the 'suffixesadd' option to check for file names
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274 with a suffix added.
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275 If the file can't be found, 'includeexpr' is used to
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276 modify the name and another attempt is done.
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277 If a [count] is given, the count'th file that is found
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278 in the 'path' is edited.
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279 This command fails if Vim refuses to |abandon| the
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280 current file.
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281 If you do want to edit a new file, use: >
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282 :e <cfile>
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283 < To make gf always work like that: >
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284 :map gf :e <cfile><CR>
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285 < If the name is a hypertext link, that looks like
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286 "type://machine/path", you need the |netrw| plugin.
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287 For Unix the '~' character is expanded, like in
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288 "~user/file". Environment variables are expanded too
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289 |expand-env|.
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290 {not in Vi}
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291 {not available when the |+file_in_path| feature was
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292 disabled at compile time}
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293
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294 *v_gf*
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295 {Visual}[count]gf Same as "gf", but the highlighted text is used as the
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296 name of the file to edit. 'isfname' is ignored.
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297 Leading blanks are skipped, otherwise all blanks and
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298 special characters are included in the file name.
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299 (For {Visual} see |Visual-mode|.)
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300 {not in VI}
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301
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302 These commands are used to start editing a single file. This means that the
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303 file is read into the buffer and the current file name is set. The file that
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304 is opened depends on the current directory, see |:cd|.
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305
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306 See |read-messages| for an explanation of the message that is given after the
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307 file has been read.
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308
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309 You can use the ":e!" command if you messed up the buffer and want to start
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310 all over again. The ":e" command is only useful if you have changed the
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311 current file name.
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312
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313 *:filename* *{file}*
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314 Note for systems other than Unix and MS-DOS: When using a command that
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315 accepts a single file name (like ":edit file") spaces in the file name are
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316 allowed, but trailing spaces are ignored. This is useful on systems that
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317 allow file names with embedded spaces (like the Amiga). Example: The command
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318 ":e Long File Name " will edit the file "Long File Name". When using a
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319 command that accepts more than one file name (like ":next file1 file2")
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320 embedded spaces must be escaped with a backslash.
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321
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322 Wildcards in {file} are expanded. Which wildcards are supported depends on
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323 the system. These are the common ones:
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324 * matches anything, including nothing
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325 ? matches one character
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326 [abc] match 'a', 'b' or 'c'
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327 To avoid the special meaning of the wildcards prepend a backslash. However,
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328 on MS-Windows the backslash is a path separator and "path\[abc]" is still seen
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329 as a wildcard when "[" is in the 'isfname' option. A simple way to avoid this
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330 is to use "path\[[]abc]". Then the file "path[abc]" literally.
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331
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332 *backtick-expansion* *`-expansion*
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333 On Unix you can also use backticks in the file name, for example: >
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334 :e `find . -name ver\\*.c -print`
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335 The backslashes before the star are required to prevent "ver*.c" to be
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336 expanded by the shell before executing the find program.
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337 This also works for most other systems, with the restriction that the
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338 backticks must be around the whole item. It is not possible to have text
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339 directly before the first or just after the last backtick.
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340
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341 *`=*
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342 You can have the backticks expanded as a Vim expression, instead of
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343 an external command, by using the syntax `={expr}` e.g. >
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344 :let foo='bar'
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345 :e `=foo . ".c" `
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346 edits "bar.c". Note that the expression cannot contain a backtick.
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347
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348 *++opt* *[++opt]*
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349 The [++opt] argument can be used to force the value of 'fileformat' or
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350 'fileencoding' to a value for one command. The form is: >
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351 ++{optname}={value}
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352
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353 Where {optname} is one of: *++ff* *++enc* *++bin* *++nobin*
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354 ff or fileformat overrides 'fileformat'
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355 enc or encoding overrides 'fileencoding'
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356 bin or binary sets 'binary'
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357 nobin or nobinary resets 'binary'
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358
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359 {value} cannot contain white space. It can be any valid value for these
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360 options. Examples: >
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361 :e ++ff=unix
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362 This edits the same file again with 'fileformat' set to "unix". >
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363
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364 :w ++enc=latin1 newfile
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365 This writes the current buffer to "newfile" in latin1 format.
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366
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367 Note that when reading, the 'fileformat' and 'fileencoding' options will be
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368 set to the used format. When writing this doesn't happen, thus a next write
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369 will use the old value of the option. Same for the 'binary' option.
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370
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371 There may be several ++opt arguments, separated by white space. They must all
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372 appear before any |+cmd| argument.
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373
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374 *+cmd* *[+cmd]*
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375 The [+cmd] argument can be used to position the cursor in the newly opened
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376 file, or execute any other command:
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377 + Start at the last line.
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378 +{num} Start at line {num}.
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379 +/{pat} Start at first line containing {pat}.
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380 +{command} Execute {command} after opening the new file.
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381 {command} is any Ex command.
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382 To include a white space in the {pat} or {command}, precede it with a
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383 backslash. Double the number of backslashes. >
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384 :edit +/The\ book file
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385 :edit +/dir\ dirname\\ file
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386 :edit +set\ dir=c:\\\\temp file
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387 Note that in the last example the number of backslashes is halved twice: Once
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388 for the "+cmd" argument and once for the ":set" command.
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389
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390 *file-formats*
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391 The 'fileformat' option sets the <EOL> style for a file:
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392 'fileformat' characters name ~
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393 "dos" <CR><NL> or <NL> DOS format *DOS-format*
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394 "unix" <NL> Unix format *Unix-format*
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395 "mac" <CR> Mac format *Mac-format*
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396 Previously 'textmode' was used. It is obsolete now.
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397
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398 When reading a file, the mentioned characters are interpreted as the <EOL>.
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399 In DOS format (default for MS-DOS, OS/2 and Win32), <CR><NL> and <NL> are both
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400 interpreted as the <EOL>. Note that when writing the file in DOS format,
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401 <CR> characters will be added for each single <NL>. Also see |file-read|.
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402
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403 When writing a file, the mentioned characters are used for <EOL>. For DOS
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404 format <CR><NL> is used. Also see |DOS-format-write|.
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405
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406 You can read a file in DOS format and write it in Unix format. This will
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407 replace all <CR><NL> pairs by <NL> (assuming 'fileformats' includes "dos"): >
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408 :e file
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409 :set fileformat=unix
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410 :w
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411 If you read a file in Unix format and write with DOS format, all <NL>
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412 characters will be replaced with <CR><NL> (assuming 'fileformats' includes
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413 "unix"): >
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414 :e file
|
|
415 :set fileformat=dos
|
|
416 :w
|
|
417
|
|
418 If you start editing a new file and the 'fileformats' option is not empty
|
|
419 (which is the default), Vim will try to detect whether the lines in the file
|
|
420 are separated by the specified formats. When set to "unix,dos", Vim will
|
|
421 check for lines with a single <NL> (as used on Unix and Amiga) or by a <CR>
|
|
422 <NL> pair (MS-DOS). Only when ALL lines end in <CR><NL>, 'fileformat' is set
|
|
423 to "dos", otherwise it is set to "unix". When 'fileformats' includes "mac",
|
|
424 and no <NL> characters are found in the file, 'fileformat' is set to "mac".
|
|
425
|
|
426 If the 'fileformat' option is set to "dos" on non-MS-DOS systems the message
|
|
427 "[dos format]" is shown to remind you that something unusual is happening. On
|
|
428 MS-DOS systems you get the message "[unix format]" if 'fileformat' is set to
|
|
429 "unix". On all systems but the Macintosh you get the message "[mac format]"
|
|
430 if 'fileformat' is set to "mac".
|
|
431
|
|
432 If the 'fileformats' option is empty and DOS format is used, but while reading
|
|
433 a file some lines did not end in <CR><NL>, "[CR missing]" will be included in
|
|
434 the file message.
|
|
435 If the 'fileformats' option is empty and Mac format is used, but while reading
|
|
436 a file a <NL> was found, "[NL missing]" will be included in the file message.
|
|
437
|
|
438 If the new file does not exist, the 'fileformat' of the current buffer is used
|
|
439 when 'fileformats' is empty. Otherwise the first format from 'fileformats' is
|
|
440 used for the new file.
|
|
441
|
|
442 Before editing binary, executable or Vim script files you should set the
|
|
443 'binary' option. A simple way to do this is by starting Vim with the "-b"
|
|
444 option. This will avoid the use of 'fileformat'. Without this you risk that
|
|
445 single <NL> characters are unexpectedly replaced with <CR><NL>.
|
|
446
|
|
447 You can encrypt files that are written by setting the 'key' option. This
|
|
448 provides some security against others reading your files. |encryption|
|
|
449
|
|
450
|
|
451 File Searching *file-searching*
|
|
452
|
|
453 {not available when compiled without the |+path_extra| feature}
|
|
454
|
|
455 The file searching is currently used for the 'path', 'cdpath' and 'tags'
|
|
456 options. There are three different types of searching:
|
|
457
|
|
458 1) Downward search:
|
|
459 Downward search uses the wildcards '*', '**' and possibly others
|
|
460 supported by your operating system. '*' and '**' are handled inside Vim, so
|
|
461 they work on all operating systems.
|
|
462
|
|
463 The usage of '*' is quite simple: It matches 0 or more characters.
|
|
464
|
|
465 '**' is more sophisticated:
|
|
466 - It ONLY matches directories.
|
|
467 - It matches up to 30 directories deep, so you can use it to search an
|
|
468 entire directory tree
|
|
469 - The maximum number of levels matched can be given by appending a number
|
|
470 to '**'.
|
|
471 Thus '/usr/**2' can match: >
|
|
472 /usr
|
|
473 /usr/include
|
|
474 /usr/include/sys
|
|
475 /usr/include/g++
|
|
476 /usr/lib
|
|
477 /usr/lib/X11
|
|
478 ....
|
|
479 < It does NOT match '/usr/include/g++/std' as this would be three
|
|
480 levels.
|
|
481 The allowed number range is 0 ('**0' is removed) to 255.
|
|
482 If the given number is smaller than 0 it defaults to 30, if it's
|
|
483 bigger than 255 it defaults to 255.
|
|
484 - '**' can only be at the end of the path or be followed by a path
|
|
485 separator or by a number and a path separator.
|
|
486
|
|
487 You can combine '*' and '**' in any order: >
|
|
488 /usr/**/sys/*
|
|
489 /usr/*/sys/**
|
|
490 /usr/**2/sys/*
|
|
491
|
|
492 2) Upward search:
|
|
493 Here you can give a directory and then search the directory tree upward for
|
|
494 a file. You could give stop-directories to limit the upward search. The
|
|
495 stop-directories are appended to the path (for the 'path' option) or to
|
|
496 the filename (for the 'tags' option) with a ';'. If you want several
|
|
497 stop-directories separate them with ';'. If you want no stop-directory
|
|
498 ("search upward till the root directory) just use ';'. >
|
|
499 /usr/include/sys;/usr
|
|
500 < will search in: >
|
|
501 /usr/include/sys
|
|
502 /usr/include
|
|
503 /usr
|
|
504 <
|
|
505 If you use a relative path the upward search is started in Vim's current
|
|
506 directory or in the directory of the current file (if the relative path
|
|
507 starts with './' and 'd' is not included in 'cpoptions').
|
|
508
|
|
509 If Vim's current path is /u/user_x/work/release and you do >
|
|
510 :set path=include;/u/user_x
|
|
511 < and then search for a file with |gf| the file is searched in: >
|
|
512 /u/user_x/work/release/include
|
|
513 /u/user_x/work/include
|
|
514 /u/user_x/include
|
|
515
|
|
516 3) Combined up/downward search
|
|
517 If Vim's current path is /u/user_x/work/release and you do >
|
|
518 set path=**;/u/user_x
|
|
519 < and then search for a file with |gf| the file is searched in: >
|
|
520 /u/user_x/work/release/**
|
|
521 /u/user_x/work/**
|
|
522 /u/user_x/**
|
|
523 <
|
|
524 BE CAREFUL! This might consume a lot of time, as the search of
|
|
525 '/u/user_x/**' includes '/u/user_x/work/**' and
|
|
526 '/u/user_x/work/release/**'. So '/u/user_x/work/release/**' is searched
|
|
527 three and '/u/user_x/work/**' is searched two times.
|
|
528
|
|
529 In the above example you might want to set path to: >
|
|
530 :set path=**,/u/user_x/**
|
|
531 < This searches: >
|
|
532 /u/user_x/work/release/**
|
|
533 /u/user_x/**
|
|
534 < This searches the same directories, but in a different order.
|
|
535
|
|
536 ==============================================================================
|
|
537 3. Dialogs *edit-dialogs*
|
|
538
|
|
539 *:confirm* *:conf*
|
|
540 :conf[irm] {command} Execute {command}, and use a dialog when an
|
|
541 operation has to be confirmed. Can be used on the
|
|
542 ":q", ":qa" and ":w" commands (the latter to over-ride
|
|
543 a read-only setting).
|
|
544
|
|
545 Examples: >
|
|
546 :confirm w foo
|
|
547 < Will ask for confirmation when "foo" already exists. >
|
|
548 :confirm q
|
|
549 < Will ask for confirmation when there are changes. >
|
|
550 :confirm qa
|
|
551 < If any modified, unsaved buffers exist, you will be prompted to save
|
|
552 or abandon each one. There are also choices to "save all" or "abandon
|
|
553 all".
|
|
554
|
|
555 If you want to always use ":confirm", set the 'confirm' option.
|
|
556
|
|
557 *:browse* *:bro* *E338* *E614* *E615* *E616* *E578*
|
|
558 :bro[wse] {command} Open a file selection dialog for an argument to
|
|
559 {command}. At present this works for |:e|, |:w|,
|
|
560 |:r|, |:saveas|, |:sp|, |:mkexrc|, |:mkvimrc| and
|
|
561 |:mksession|.
|
|
562 {only in Win32, Athena, Motif, GTK and Mac GUI}
|
|
563 When ":browse" is not possible you get an error
|
|
564 message. If the |+browse| feature is missing or the
|
|
565 {command} doesn't support browsing, the {command} is
|
|
566 executed without a dialog.
|
|
567 ":browse set" works like |:options|.
|
|
568
|
|
569 The syntax is best shown via some examples: >
|
|
570 :browse e $vim/foo
|
|
571 < Open the browser in the $vim/foo directory, and edit the
|
|
572 file chosen. >
|
|
573 :browse e
|
|
574 < Open the browser in the directory specified with 'browsedir',
|
|
575 and edit the file chosen. >
|
|
576 :browse w
|
|
577 < Open the browser in the directory of the current buffer,
|
|
578 with the current buffer filename as default, and save the
|
|
579 buffer under the filename chosen. >
|
|
580 :browse w C:/bar
|
|
581 < Open the browser in the C:/bar directory, with the current
|
|
582 buffer filename as default, and save the buffer under the
|
|
583 filename chosen.
|
|
584 Also see the |'browsedir'| option.
|
|
585 For versions of Vim where browsing is not supported, the command is executed
|
|
586 unmodified.
|
|
587
|
|
588 *browsefilter*
|
|
589 For MS Windows, you can modify the filters that are used in the browse dialog.
|
|
590 By setting the g:browsefilter or b:browsefilter variables, you can change the
|
|
591 filters globally or locally to the buffer. The variable is set to a string in
|
|
592 the format "{filter label}\t{pattern};{pattern}\n" where {filter label} is the
|
|
593 text that appears in the "Files of Type" comboBox, and {pattern} is the
|
|
594 pattern which filters the filenames. Several patterns can be given, separated
|
|
595 by ';'.
|
|
596
|
|
597 For Motif the same format is used, but only the very first pattern is actually
|
|
598 used (Motif only offers one pattern, but you can edit it).
|
|
599
|
|
600 For example, to have only Vim files in the dialog, you could use the following
|
|
601 command: >
|
|
602
|
|
603 let g:browsefilter="Vim Scripts\t*.vim\nVim Startup Files\t*vimrc\n"
|
|
604
|
|
605 You can override the filter setting on a per-buffer basis by setting the
|
|
606 b:browsefilter variable. You would most likely set b:browsefilter in a
|
|
607 filetype plugin, so that the browse dialog would contain entries related to
|
|
608 the type of file you are currently editing. Disadvantage: This makes it
|
|
609 difficult to start editing a file of a different type. To overcome this, you
|
|
610 may want to add "All Files\t*.*\n" as the final filter, so that the user can
|
|
611 still access any desired file.
|
|
612
|
|
613 ==============================================================================
|
|
614 4. The current directory *current-directory*
|
|
615
|
|
616 You may use the |:cd| and |:lcd| commands to change to another directory, so
|
|
617 you will not have to type that directory name in front of the file names. It
|
|
618 also makes a difference for executing external commands, e.g. ":!ls".
|
|
619
|
|
620 *:cd* *E472*
|
|
621 :cd On non-Unix systems: Print the current directory
|
|
622 name. On Unix systems: Change the current directory
|
|
623 to the home directory. Use |:pwd| to print the
|
|
624 current directory on all systems.
|
|
625
|
|
626 :cd {path} Change the current directory to {path}.
|
|
627 If {path} is relative, it is searched for in the
|
|
628 directories listed in |'cdpath'|.
|
|
629 Does not change the meaning of an already opened file,
|
|
630 because its full path name is remembered. Files from
|
|
631 the |arglist| may change though!
|
|
632 On MS-DOS this also changes the active drive.
|
|
633 To change to the directory of the current file: >
|
|
634 :cd %:h
|
|
635 <
|
|
636 *:cd-* *E186*
|
|
637 :cd - Change to the previous current directory (before the
|
|
638 previous ":cd {path}" command). {not in Vi}
|
|
639
|
|
640 *:chd* *:chdir*
|
|
641 :chd[ir] [path] Same as |:cd|.
|
|
642
|
|
643 *:lc* *:lcd*
|
|
644 :lc[d] {path} Like |:cd|, but only set the current directory for the
|
|
645 current window. The current directory for other
|
|
646 windows is not changed. {not in Vi}
|
|
647
|
|
648 *:lch* *:lchdir*
|
|
649 :lch[dir] Same as |:lcd|. {not in Vi}
|
|
650
|
|
651 *:pw* *:pwd* *E187*
|
|
652 :pw[d] Print the current directory name. {Vi: no pwd}
|
|
653 Also see |getcwd()|.
|
|
654
|
|
655 So long as no |:lcd| command has been used, all windows share the same current
|
|
656 directory. Using a command to jump to another window doesn't change anything
|
|
657 for the current directory.
|
|
658 When a |:lcd| command has been used for a window, the specified directory
|
|
659 becomes the current directory for that window. Windows where the |:lcd|
|
|
660 command has not been used stick to the global current directory. When jumping
|
|
661 to another window the current directory will become the last specified local
|
|
662 current directory. If none was specified, the global current directory is
|
|
663 used.
|
|
664 When a |:cd| command is used, the current window will lose his local current
|
|
665 directory and will use the global current directory from now on.
|
|
666
|
|
667 After using |:cd| the full path name will be used for reading and writing
|
|
668 files. On some networked file systems this may cause problems. The result of
|
|
669 using the full path name is that the file names currently in use will remain
|
|
670 referring to the same file. Example: If you have a file a:test and a
|
|
671 directory a:vim the commands ":e test" ":cd vim" ":w" will overwrite the file
|
|
672 a:test and not write a:vim/test. But if you do ":w test" the file a:vim/test
|
|
673 will be written, because you gave a new file name and did not refer to a
|
|
674 filename before the ":cd".
|
|
675
|
|
676 ==============================================================================
|
|
677 5. The argument list *argument-list* *arglist*
|
|
678
|
|
679 If you give more than one file name when starting Vim, this list is remembered
|
|
680 as the argument list. You can jump to each file in this list.
|
|
681
|
|
682 Do not confuse this with the buffer list, which you can see with the
|
|
683 |:buffers| command. The argument list was already present in Vi, the buffer
|
|
684 list is new in Vim. A file name in the argument list will also be present in
|
|
685 the buffer list (unless it was deleted with ":bdel").
|
|
686
|
|
687 This subject is introduced in section |07.2| of the user manual.
|
|
688
|
|
689 There is one global argument list, which is used for all windows by default.
|
|
690 It is possible to create a new argument list local to a window, see
|
|
691 |:arglocal|.
|
|
692
|
|
693 You can use the argument list with the following commands, and with the
|
|
694 expression functions |argc()| and |argv()|. These all work on the argument
|
|
695 list of the current window.
|
|
696
|
|
697 *:ar* *:args*
|
|
698 :ar[gs] Print the argument list, with the current file in
|
|
699 square brackets.
|
|
700
|
|
701 :ar[gs] [++opt] [+cmd] {arglist} *:args_f*
|
|
702 Define {arglist} as the new argument list and edit
|
|
703 the first one. This fails when changes have been made
|
|
704 and Vim does not want to |abandon| the current buffer.
|
|
705 Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.
|
|
706 {Vi: no ++opt}
|
|
707
|
|
708 :ar[gs]! [++opt] [+cmd] {arglist} *:args_f!*
|
|
709 Define {arglist} as the new argument list and edit
|
|
710 the first one. Discard any changes to the current
|
|
711 buffer.
|
|
712 Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.
|
|
713 {Vi: no ++opt}
|
|
714
|
|
715 :[count]arge[dit][!] [++opt] [+cmd] {name} *:arge* *:argedit*
|
|
716 Add {name} to the argument list and edit it.
|
|
717 When {name} already exists in the argument list, this
|
|
718 entry is edited.
|
|
719 This is like using |:argadd| and then |:edit|.
|
|
720 Note that only one file name is allowed, and spaces
|
|
721 inside the file name are allowed, like with |:edit|.
|
|
722 [count] is used like with |:argadd|.
|
|
723 [!] is required if the current file cannot be
|
|
724 |abandon|ed.
|
|
725 Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.
|
|
726 {not in Vi}
|
|
727
|
|
728 :[count]arga[dd] {name} .. *:arga* *:argadd* *E479*
|
|
729 Add the {name}s to the argument list.
|
|
730 If [count] is omitted, the {name}s are added just
|
|
731 after the current entry in the argument list.
|
|
732 Otherwise they are added after the [count]'th file.
|
|
733 If the argument list is "a b c", and "b" is the
|
|
734 current argument, then these commands result in:
|
|
735 command new argument list ~
|
|
736 :argadd x a b x c
|
|
737 :0argadd x x a b c
|
|
738 :1argadd x a x b c
|
|
739 :99argadd x a b c x
|
|
740 There is no check for duplicates, it is possible to
|
|
741 add a file to the argument list twice.
|
|
742 The currently edited file is not changed.
|
|
743 {not in Vi} {not available when compiled without the
|
|
744 |+listcmds| feature}
|
|
745 Note: you can also use this method: >
|
|
746 :args ## x
|
|
747 < This will add the "x" item and sort the new list.
|
|
748
|
|
749 :argd[elete] {pattern} .. *:argd* *:argdelete* *E480*
|
|
750 Delete files from the argument list that match the
|
|
751 {pattern}s. {pattern} is used like a file pattern,
|
|
752 see |file-pattern|. "%" can be used to delete the
|
|
753 current entry.
|
|
754 This command keeps the currently edited file, also
|
|
755 when it's deleted from the argument list.
|
|
756 {not in Vi} {not available when compiled without the
|
|
757 |+listcmds| feature}
|
|
758
|
|
759 :{range}argd[elete] Delete the {range} files from the argument list.
|
|
760 When the last number in the range is too high, up to
|
|
761 the last argument is deleted. Example: >
|
|
762 :10,1000argdel
|
|
763 < Deletes arguments 10 and further, keeping 1-9.
|
|
764 {not in Vi} {not available when compiled without the
|
|
765 |+listcmds| feature}
|
|
766
|
|
767 *:argu* *:argument*
|
|
768 :[count]argu[ment] [count] [++opt] [+cmd]
|
|
769 Edit file [count] in the argument list. When [count]
|
|
770 is omitted the current entry is used. This fails
|
|
771 when changes have been made and Vim does not want to
|
|
772 |abandon| the current buffer.
|
|
773 Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.
|
|
774 {not in Vi} {not available when compiled without the
|
|
775 |+listcmds| feature}
|
|
776
|
|
777 :[count]argu[ment]! [count] [++opt] [+cmd]
|
|
778 Edit file [count] in the argument list, discard any
|
|
779 changes to the current buffer. When [count] is
|
|
780 omitted the current entry is used.
|
|
781 Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.
|
|
782 {not in Vi} {not available when compiled without the
|
|
783 |+listcmds| feature}
|
|
784
|
|
785 :[count]n[ext] [++opt] [+cmd] *:n* *:ne* *:next* *E165* *E163*
|
|
786 Edit [count] next file. This fails when changes have
|
|
787 been made and Vim does not want to |abandon| the
|
|
788 current buffer. Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|. {Vi: no
|
|
789 count or ++opt}.
|
|
790
|
|
791 :[count]n[ext]! [++opt] [+cmd]
|
|
792 Edit [count] next file, discard any changes to the
|
|
793 buffer. Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|. {Vi: no count
|
|
794 or ++opt}.
|
|
795
|
|
796 :n[ext] [++opt] [+cmd] {arglist} *:next_f*
|
|
797 Same as |:args_f|.
|
|
798
|
|
799 :n[ext]! [++opt] [+cmd] {arglist}
|
|
800 Same as |:args_f!|.
|
|
801
|
|
802 :[count]N[ext] [count] [++opt] [+cmd] *:Next* *:N* *E164*
|
|
803 Edit [count] previous file in argument list. This
|
|
804 fails when changes have been made and Vim does not
|
|
805 want to |abandon| the current buffer.
|
|
806 Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|. {Vi: no count or ++opt}.
|
|
807
|
|
808 :[count]N[ext]! [count] [++opt] [+cmd]
|
|
809 Edit [count] previous file in argument list. Discard
|
|
810 any changes to the buffer. Also see |++opt| and
|
|
811 |+cmd|. {Vi: no count or ++opt}.
|
|
812
|
|
813 :[count]prev[ious] [count] [++opt] [+cmd] *:prev* *:previous*
|
|
814 Same as :Next. Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|. {Vi:
|
|
815 only in some versions}
|
|
816
|
|
817 *:rew* *:rewind*
|
|
818 :rew[ind] [++opt] [+cmd]
|
|
819 Start editing the first file in the argument list.
|
|
820 This fails when changes have been made and Vim does
|
|
821 not want to |abandon| the current buffer.
|
|
822 Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|. {Vi: no ++opt}
|
|
823
|
|
824 :rew[ind]! [++opt] [+cmd]
|
|
825 Start editing the first file in the argument list.
|
|
826 Discard any changes to the buffer. Also see |++opt|
|
|
827 and |+cmd|. {Vi: no ++opt}
|
|
828
|
|
829 *:fir* *:first*
|
|
830 :fir[st][!] [++opt] [+cmd]
|
|
831 Other name for ":rewind". {not in Vi}
|
|
832
|
|
833 *:la* *:last*
|
|
834 :la[st] [++opt] [+cmd]
|
|
835 Start editing the last file in the argument list.
|
|
836 This fails when changes have been made and Vim does
|
|
837 not want to |abandon| the current buffer.
|
|
838 Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|. {not in Vi}
|
|
839
|
|
840 :la[st]! [++opt] [+cmd]
|
|
841 Start editing the last file in the argument list.
|
|
842 Discard any changes to the buffer. Also see |++opt|
|
|
843 and |+cmd|. {not in Vi}
|
|
844
|
|
845 *:wn* *:wnext*
|
|
846 :[count]wn[ext] [++opt] [+cmd]
|
|
847 Write current file and start editing the [count]
|
|
848 next file. Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|. {not in Vi}
|
|
849
|
|
850 :[count]wn[ext] [++opt] [+cmd] {file}
|
|
851 Write current file to {file} and start editing the
|
|
852 [count] next file, unless {file} already exists and
|
|
853 the 'writeany' option is off. Also see |++opt| and
|
|
854 |+cmd|. {not in Vi}
|
|
855
|
|
856 :[count]wn[ext]! [++opt] [+cmd] {file}
|
|
857 Write current file to {file} and start editing the
|
|
858 [count] next file. Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|. {not
|
|
859 in Vi}
|
|
860
|
|
861 :[count]wN[ext][!] [++opt] [+cmd] [file] *:wN* *:wNext*
|
|
862 :[count]wp[revous][!] [++opt] [+cmd] [file] *:wp* *:wprevious*
|
|
863 Same as :wnext, but go to previous file instead of
|
|
864 next. {not in Vi}
|
|
865
|
|
866 The [count] in the commands above defaults to one. For some commands it is
|
|
867 possible to use two counts. The last one (rightmost one) is used.
|
|
868
|
|
869 If no [+cmd] argument is present, the cursor is positioned at the last known
|
|
870 cursor position for the file. If 'startofline' is set, the cursor will be
|
|
871 positioned at the first non-blank in the line, otherwise the last know column
|
|
872 is used. If there is no last known cursor position the cursor will be in the
|
|
873 first line (the last line in Ex mode).
|
|
874
|
|
875 The wildcards in the argument list are expanded and the file names are sorted.
|
|
876 Thus you can use the command "vim *.c" to edit all the C files. From within
|
|
877 Vim the command ":n *.c" does the same. On Unix you can also use backticks,
|
|
878 for example: >
|
|
879 :n `find . -name \\*.c -print`
|
|
880 The backslashes before the star are required to prevent "*.c" to be expanded
|
|
881 by the shell before executing the find program.
|
|
882
|
|
883 *arglist-position*
|
|
884 When there is an argument list you can see which file you are editing in the
|
|
885 title of the window (if there is one and 'title' is on) and with the file
|
|
886 message you get with the "CTRL-G" command. You will see something like
|
|
887 (file 4 of 11)
|
|
888 If 'shortmess' contains 'f' it will be
|
|
889 (4 of 11)
|
|
890 If you are not really editing the file at the current position in the argument
|
|
891 list it will be
|
|
892 (file (4) of 11)
|
|
893 This means that you are position 4 in the argument list, but not editing the
|
|
894 fourth file in the argument list. This happens when you do ":e file".
|
|
895
|
|
896
|
|
897 LOCAL ARGUMENT LIST
|
|
898
|
|
899 {not in Vi}
|
|
900 {not available when compiled without the |+windows| or |+listcmds| feature}
|
|
901
|
|
902 *:arglocal*
|
|
903 :argl[ocal] Make a local copy of the global argument list.
|
|
904 Doesn't start editing another file.
|
|
905
|
|
906 :argl[ocal][!] [++opt] [+cmd] {arglist}
|
|
907 Define a new argument list, which is local to the
|
|
908 current window. Works like |:args_f| otherwise.
|
|
909
|
|
910 *:argglobal*
|
|
911 :argg[lobal] Use the global argument list for the current window.
|
|
912 Doesn't start editing another file.
|
|
913
|
|
914 :argg[lobal][!] [++opt] [+cmd] {arglist}
|
|
915 Use the global argument list for the current window.
|
|
916 Define a new global argument list like |:args_f|.
|
|
917 All windows using the global argument list will see
|
|
918 this new list.
|
|
919
|
|
920 There can be several argument lists. They can be shared between windows.
|
|
921 When they are shared, changing the argument list in one window will also
|
|
922 change it in the other window.
|
|
923
|
|
924 When a window is split the new window inherits the argument list from the
|
|
925 current window. The two windows then share this list, until one of them uses
|
|
926 |:arglocal| or |:argglobal| to use another argument list.
|
|
927
|
|
928
|
|
929 USING THE ARGUMENT LIST
|
|
930
|
|
931 *:argdo*
|
|
932 :argdo[!] {cmd} Execute {cmd} for each file in the argument list.
|
|
933 It works like doing this: >
|
|
934 :rewind
|
|
935 :{cmd}
|
|
936 :next
|
|
937 :{cmd}
|
|
938 etc.
|
|
939 < When the current file can't be |abandon|ed and the [!]
|
|
940 is not present, the command fails.
|
|
941 When an error is detected on one file, further files
|
|
942 in the argument list will not be visited.
|
|
943 The last file in the argument list (or where an error
|
|
944 occurred) becomes the current file.
|
|
945 {cmd} can contain '|' to concatenate several commands.
|
|
946 {cmd} must not change the argument list.
|
|
947 Note: While this command is executing, the Syntax
|
|
948 autocommand event is disabled by adding it to
|
|
949 'eventignore'. This considerably speeds up editing
|
|
950 each file.
|
|
951 {not in Vi} {not available when compiled without the
|
|
952 |+listcmds| feature}
|
|
953 Also see |:windo| and |:bufdo|.
|
|
954
|
|
955 Example: >
|
|
956 :args *.c
|
|
957 :argdo set ff=unix | update
|
|
958 This sets the 'fileformat' option to "unix" and writes the file if is now
|
|
959 changed. This is done for all *.c files.
|
|
960
|
|
961 Example: >
|
|
962 :args *.[ch]
|
|
963 :argdo %s/\<my_foo\>/My_Foo/ge | update
|
|
964 This changes the word "my_foo" to "My_Foo" in all *.c and *.h files. The "e"
|
|
965 flag is used for the ":substitute" command to avoid an error for files where
|
|
966 "my_foo" isn't used. ":update" writes the file only if changes were made.
|
|
967
|
|
968 ==============================================================================
|
|
969 6. Writing *writing* *save-file*
|
|
970
|
|
971 Note: When the 'write' option is off, you are not able to write any file.
|
|
972
|
|
973 *:w* *:write*
|
|
974 *E502* *E503* *E504* *E505*
|
|
975 *E512* *E514* *E667*
|
|
976 :w[rite] Write the whole buffer to the current file. This is
|
|
977 the normal way to save changes to a file. It fails
|
|
978 when the 'readonly' option is set or when there is
|
|
979 another reason why the file can't be written.
|
|
980
|
|
981 :w[rite]! Like ":write", but forcefully write when 'readonly' is
|
|
982 set or there is another reason why writing was
|
|
983 refused.
|
|
984 Note: This may change the permission and ownership of
|
|
985 the file and break (symbolic) links. Add the 'W' flag
|
|
986 to 'cpoptions' to avoid this.
|
|
987
|
|
988 :[range]w[rite][!] Write the specified lines to the current file. This
|
|
989 is unusual, because the file will not contain all
|
|
990 lines in the buffer.
|
|
991
|
|
992 *:w_f* *:write_f*
|
|
993 :[range]w[rite] {file} Write the specified lines to {file}, unless it
|
|
994 already exists and the 'writeany' option is off.
|
|
995
|
|
996 *:w!*
|
|
997 :[range]w[rite]! {file} Write the specified lines to {file}. Overwrite an
|
|
998 existing file.
|
|
999
|
|
1000 *:w_a* *:write_a* *E494*
|
|
1001 :[range]w[rite][!] >> Append the specified lines to the current file.
|
|
1002
|
|
1003 :[range]w[rite][!] >> {file}
|
|
1004 Append the specified lines to {file}. '!' forces the
|
|
1005 write even if file does not exist.
|
|
1006
|
|
1007 *:w_c* *:write_c*
|
|
1008 :[range]w[rite] !{cmd} Execute {cmd} with [range] lines as standard input
|
|
1009 (note the space in front of the '!'). {cmd} is
|
|
1010 executed like with ":!{cmd}", any '!' is replaced with
|
|
1011 the previous command |:!|.
|
|
1012
|
|
1013 The default [range] for the ":w" command is the whole buffer (1,$).
|
|
1014 If a file name is given with ":w" it becomes the alternate file. This can be
|
|
1015 used, for example, when the write fails and you want to try again later with
|
|
1016 ":w #". This can be switched off by removing the 'A' flag from the
|
|
1017 'cpoptions' option.
|
|
1018
|
|
1019 *:sav* *:saveas*
|
|
1020 :sav[eas][!] {file} Save the current buffer under the name {file} and set
|
|
1021 the filename of the current buffer to {file}. The
|
|
1022 previous name is used for the alternate file name.
|
|
1023 The [!] is needed to overwrite an existing file.
|
|
1024 {not in Vi}
|
|
1025
|
|
1026 *:up* *:update*
|
|
1027 :[range]up[date][!] [>>] [file]
|
|
1028 Like ":write", but only write when the buffer has been
|
|
1029 modified. {not in Vi}
|
|
1030
|
|
1031
|
|
1032 WRITING WITH MULTIPLE BUFFERS *buffer-write*
|
|
1033
|
|
1034 *:wa* *:wall*
|
|
1035 :wa[ll] Write all changed buffers. Buffers without a file
|
|
1036 name or which are readonly are not written. {not in
|
|
1037 Vi}
|
|
1038
|
|
1039 :wa[ll]! Write all changed buffers, even the ones that are
|
|
1040 readonly. Buffers without a file name are not
|
|
1041 written. {not in Vi}
|
|
1042
|
|
1043
|
|
1044 Vim will warn you if you try to overwrite a file that has been changed
|
|
1045 elsewhere. See |timestamp|.
|
|
1046
|
|
1047 *backup* *E207* *E506* *E507* *E508* *E509* *E510*
|
|
1048 If you write to an existing file (but do not append) while the 'backup',
|
|
1049 'writebackup' or 'patchmode' option is on, a backup of the original file is
|
|
1050 made. The file is either copied or renamed (see 'backupcopy'). After the
|
|
1051 file has been successfully written and when the 'writebackup' option is on and
|
|
1052 the 'backup' option is off, the backup file is deleted. When the 'patchmode'
|
|
1053 option is on the backup file may be renamed.
|
|
1054
|
|
1055 *backup-table*
|
|
1056 'backup' 'writebackup' action ~
|
|
1057 off off no backup made
|
|
1058 off on backup current file, deleted afterwards (default)
|
|
1059 on off delete old backup, backup current file
|
|
1060 on on delete old backup, backup current file
|
|
1061
|
|
1062 When the 'backupskip' pattern matches with the name of the file which is
|
|
1063 written, no backup file is made. The values of 'backup' and 'writebackup' are
|
|
1064 ignored then.
|
|
1065
|
|
1066 When the 'backup' option is on, an old backup file (with the same name as the
|
|
1067 new backup file) will be deleted. If 'backup' is not set, but 'writebackup'
|
|
1068 is set, an existing backup file will not be deleted. The backup file that is
|
|
1069 made while the file is being written will have a different name.
|
|
1070
|
|
1071 On some filesystems it's possible that in a crash you lose both the backup and
|
|
1072 the newly written file (it might be there but contain bogus data). In that
|
|
1073 case try recovery, because the swap file is synced to disk and might still be
|
|
1074 there. |:recover|
|
|
1075
|
|
1076 The directories given with the 'backupdir' option is used to put the backup
|
|
1077 file in. (default: same directory as the written file).
|
|
1078
|
|
1079 Whether the backup is a new file, which is a copy of the original file, or the
|
|
1080 original file renamed depends on the 'backupcopy' option. See there for an
|
|
1081 explanation of when the copy is made and when the file is renamed.
|
|
1082
|
|
1083 If the creation of a backup file fails, the write is not done. If you want
|
|
1084 to write anyway add a '!' to the command.
|
|
1085
|
|
1086 *write-readonly*
|
|
1087 When the 'cpoptions' option contains 'W', Vim will refuse to overwrite a
|
|
1088 readonly file. When 'W' is not present, ":w!" will overwrite a readonly file,
|
|
1089 if the system allows it (the directory must be writable).
|
|
1090
|
|
1091 *write-fail*
|
|
1092 If the writing of the new file fails, you have to be careful not to lose
|
|
1093 your changes AND the original file. If there is no backup file and writing
|
|
1094 the new file failed, you have already lost the original file! DON'T EXIT VIM
|
|
1095 UNTIL YOU WRITE OUT THE FILE! If a backup was made, it is put back in place
|
|
1096 of the original file (if possible). If you exit Vim, and lose the changes
|
|
1097 you made, the original file will mostly still be there. If putting back the
|
|
1098 original file fails, there will be an error message telling you that you
|
|
1099 lost the original file.
|
|
1100
|
|
1101 *DOS-format-write*
|
|
1102 If the 'fileformat' is "dos", <CR> <NL> is used for <EOL>. This is default
|
|
1103 for MS-DOS, Win32 and OS/2. On other systems the message "[dos format]" is
|
|
1104 shown to remind you that an unusual <EOL> was used.
|
|
1105 *Unix-format-write*
|
|
1106 If the 'fileformat' is "unix", <NL> is used for <EOL>. On MS-DOS, Win32 and
|
|
1107 OS/2 the message "[unix format]" is shown.
|
|
1108 *Mac-format-write*
|
|
1109 If the 'fileformat' is "mac", <CR> is used for <EOL>. On non-Mac systems the
|
|
1110 message "[mac format]" is shown.
|
|
1111
|
|
1112 See also |file-formats| and the 'fileformat' and 'fileformats' options.
|
|
1113
|
|
1114 *ACL*
|
|
1115 ACL stands for Access Control List. It is an advanced way to control access
|
|
1116 rights for a file. It is used on new MS-Windows and Unix systems, but only
|
|
1117 when the filesystem supports it.
|
|
1118 Vim attempts to preserve the ACL info when writing a file. The backup file
|
|
1119 will get the ACL info of the original file.
|
|
1120 The ACL info is also used to check if a file is read-only (when opening the
|
|
1121 file).
|
|
1122
|
|
1123 *read-only-share*
|
|
1124 When MS-Windows shares a drive on the network it can be marked as read-only.
|
|
1125 This means that even if the file read-only attribute is absent, and the ACL
|
|
1126 settings on NT network shared drives allow writing to the file, you can still
|
|
1127 not write to the file. Vim on Win32 platforms will detect read-only network
|
|
1128 drives and will mark the file as read-only. You will not be able to override
|
|
1129 it with |:write|.
|
|
1130
|
|
1131 *write-device*
|
|
1132 When the file name is actually a device name, Vim will not make a backup (that
|
|
1133 would be impossible). You need to use "!", since the device already exists.
|
|
1134 Example for Unix: >
|
|
1135 :w! /dev/lpt0
|
|
1136 and for MS-DOS or MS-Windows: >
|
|
1137 :w! lpt0
|
|
1138 For Unix a device is detected when the name doesn't refer to a normal file or
|
|
1139 a directory. A fifo or named pipe also looks like a device to Vim.
|
|
1140 For MS-DOS and MS-Windows the device is detected by its name:
|
|
1141 AUX
|
|
1142 CON
|
|
1143 CLOCK$
|
|
1144 NUL
|
|
1145 PRN
|
|
1146 COMn n=1,2,3... etc
|
|
1147 LPTn n=1,2,3... etc
|
|
1148 The names can be in upper- or lowercase.
|
|
1149
|
|
1150 ==============================================================================
|
|
1151 7. Writing and quitting *write-quit*
|
|
1152
|
|
1153 *:q* *:quit*
|
|
1154 :q[uit] Quit the current window. Quit Vim if this is the last
|
|
1155 window. This fails when changes have been made and
|
|
1156 Vim refuses to |abandon| the current buffer, and when
|
|
1157 the last file in the argument list has not been
|
|
1158 edited.
|
|
1159
|
|
1160 :conf[irm] q[uit] Quit, but give prompt when changes have been made, or
|
|
1161 the last file in the argument list has not been
|
|
1162 edited. See |:confirm| and 'confirm'. {not in Vi}
|
|
1163
|
|
1164 :q[uit]! Quit without writing, also when visible buffers have
|
|
1165 changes. Does not exit when there are changed hidden
|
|
1166 buffers. Use ":qall!" to exit always.
|
|
1167
|
|
1168 :cq[uit] Quit always, without writing, and return an error
|
|
1169 code. See |:cq|. Used for Manx's QuickFix mode (see
|
|
1170 |quickfix|). {not in Vi}
|
|
1171
|
|
1172 *:wq*
|
|
1173 :wq Write the current file and quit. Writing fails when
|
|
1174 the file is read-only or the buffer does not have a
|
|
1175 name. Quitting fails when the last file in the
|
|
1176 argument list has not been edited.
|
|
1177
|
|
1178 :wq! Write the current file and quit. Writing fails when
|
|
1179 the current buffer does not have a name.
|
|
1180
|
|
1181 :wq {file} Write to {file} and quit. Quitting fails when the
|
|
1182 last file in the argument list has not been edited.
|
|
1183
|
|
1184 :wq! {file} Write to {file} and quit.
|
|
1185
|
|
1186 :[range]wq[!] [file] Same as above, but only write the lines in [range].
|
|
1187
|
|
1188 *:x* *:xit*
|
|
1189 :[range]x[it][!] [file]
|
|
1190 Like ":wq", but write only when changes have been
|
|
1191 made.
|
|
1192 When 'hidden' is set and there are more windows, the
|
|
1193 current buffer becomes hidden, after writing the file.
|
|
1194
|
|
1195 *:exi* *:exit*
|
|
1196 :[range]exi[t][!] [file]
|
|
1197 Same as :xit.
|
|
1198
|
|
1199 *ZZ*
|
|
1200 ZZ Write current file, if modified, and quit (same as
|
|
1201 ":x"). (Note: If there are several windows for the
|
|
1202 current file, the file is written if it was modified
|
|
1203 and the window is closed).
|
|
1204
|
|
1205 *ZQ*
|
|
1206 ZQ Quit without checking for changes (same as ":q!").
|
|
1207 {not in Vi}
|
|
1208
|
|
1209 MULTIPLE WINDOWS AND BUFFERS *window-exit*
|
|
1210
|
|
1211 *:qa* *:qall*
|
|
1212 :qa[ll] Exit Vim, unless there are some buffers which have been
|
|
1213 changed. (Use ":bmod" to go to the next modified buffer).
|
|
1214 When 'autowriteall' is set all changed buffers will be
|
|
1215 written, like |:wqall|. {not in Vi}
|
|
1216
|
|
1217 :conf[irm] qa[ll]
|
|
1218 Exit Vim. Bring up a prompt when some buffers have been
|
|
1219 changed. See |:confirm|. {not in Vi}
|
|
1220
|
|
1221 :qa[ll]! Exit Vim. Any changes to buffers are lost. {not in Vi}
|
|
1222
|
|
1223 *:quita* *:quitall*
|
|
1224 :quita[ll][!] Same as ":qall". {not in Vi}
|
|
1225
|
|
1226 :wqa[ll] *:wqa* *:wqall* *:xa* *:xall*
|
|
1227 :xa[ll] Write all changed buffers and exit Vim. If there are buffers
|
|
1228 without a file name, which are readonly or which cannot be
|
|
1229 written for another reason, Vim will not quit. {not in Vi}
|
|
1230
|
|
1231 :conf[irm] wqa[ll]
|
|
1232 :conf[irm] xa[ll]
|
|
1233 Write all changed buffers and exit Vim. Bring up a prompt
|
|
1234 when some buffers are readonly or cannot be written for
|
|
1235 another reason. See |:confirm|. {not in Vi}
|
|
1236
|
|
1237 :wqa[ll]!
|
|
1238 :xa[ll]! Write all changed buffers, even the ones that are readonly,
|
|
1239 and exit Vim. If there are buffers without a file name or
|
|
1240 which cannot be written for another reason, Vim will not quit.
|
|
1241 {not in Vi}
|
|
1242
|
|
1243 ==============================================================================
|
|
1244 8. Editing binary files *edit-binary*
|
|
1245
|
|
1246 Although Vim was made to edit text files, it is possible to edit binary
|
|
1247 files. The |-b| Vim argument (b for binary) makes Vim do file I/O in binary
|
|
1248 mode, and sets some options for editing binary files ('binary' on, 'textwidth'
|
|
1249 to 0, 'modeline' off, 'expandtab' off). Setting the 'binary' option has the
|
|
1250 same effect. Don't forget to do this before reading the file.
|
|
1251
|
|
1252 There are a few things to remember when editing binary files:
|
|
1253 - When editing executable files the number of characters must not change.
|
|
1254 Use only the "R" or "r" command to change text. Do not delete characters
|
|
1255 with "x" or by backspacing.
|
|
1256 - Set the 'textwidth' option to 0. Otherwise lines will unexpectedly be
|
|
1257 split in two.
|
|
1258 - When there are not many <EOL>s, the lines will become very long. If you
|
|
1259 want to edit a line that does not fit on the screen reset the 'wrap' option.
|
|
1260 Horizontal scrolling is used then. If a line becomes too long (more than
|
|
1261 about 32767 characters on the Amiga, much more on 32-bit systems, see
|
|
1262 |limits|) you cannot edit that line. The line will be split when reading
|
|
1263 the file. It is also possible that you get an "out of memory" error when
|
|
1264 reading the file.
|
|
1265 - Make sure the 'binary' option is set BEFORE loading the
|
|
1266 file. Otherwise both <CR> <NL> and <NL> are considered to end a line
|
|
1267 and when the file is written the <NL> will be replaced with <CR> <NL>.
|
|
1268 - <Nul> characters are shown on the screen as ^@. You can enter them with
|
|
1269 "CTRL-V CTRL-@" or "CTRL-V 000" {Vi cannot handle <Nul> characters in the
|
|
1270 file}
|
|
1271 - To insert a <NL> character in the file split up a line. When writing the
|
|
1272 buffer to a file a <NL> will be written for the <EOL>.
|
|
1273 - Vim normally appends an <EOL> at the end of the file if there is none.
|
|
1274 Setting the 'binary' option prevents this. If you want to add the final
|
|
1275 <EOL>, set the 'endofline' option. You can also read the value of this
|
|
1276 option to see if there was an <EOL> for the last line (you cannot see this
|
|
1277 in the text).
|
|
1278
|
|
1279 ==============================================================================
|
|
1280 9. Encryption *encryption*
|
|
1281
|
|
1282 Vim is able to write files encrypted, and read them back. The encrypted text
|
|
1283 cannot be read without the right key.
|
|
1284
|
|
1285 Note: The swapfile and text in memory is not encrypted. A system
|
|
1286 administrator will be able to see your text while you are editing it.
|
|
1287 When filtering text with ":!filter" or using ":w !command" the text is not
|
|
1288 encrypted, this may reveal it to others.
|
|
1289
|
|
1290 WARNING: If you make a typo when entering the key and then write the file and
|
|
1291 exit, the text will be lost!
|
|
1292
|
|
1293 The normal way to work with encryption, is to use the ":X" command, which will
|
|
1294 ask you to enter a key. A following write command will use that key to
|
|
1295 encrypt the file. If you later edit the same file, Vim will ask you to enter
|
|
1296 a key. If you type the same key as that was used for writing, the text will
|
|
1297 be readable again. If you use a wrong key, it will be a mess.
|
|
1298
|
|
1299 *:X*
|
|
1300 :X Prompt for an encryption key. The typing is done without showing the
|
|
1301 actual text, so that someone looking at the display won't see it.
|
|
1302 The typed key is stored in the 'key' option, which is used to encrypt
|
|
1303 the file when it is written. The file will remain unchanged until you
|
|
1304 write it. See also |-x|.
|
|
1305
|
|
1306 The value of the 'key' options is used when text is written. When the option
|
|
1307 is not empty, the written file will be encrypted, using the value as the
|
|
1308 encryption key. A magic number is prepended, so that Vim can recognize that
|
|
1309 the file is encrypted.
|
|
1310
|
|
1311 To disable the encryption, reset the 'key' option to an empty value: >
|
|
1312 :set key=
|
|
1313
|
|
1314 When reading a file that has been encrypted and this option is not empty, it
|
|
1315 will be used for decryption. If the value is empty, you will be prompted to
|
|
1316 enter the key. If you don't enter a key, the file is edited without being
|
|
1317 decrypted.
|
|
1318
|
|
1319 If want to start reading a file that uses a different key, set the 'key'
|
|
1320 option to an empty string, so that Vim will prompt for a new one. Don't use
|
|
1321 the ":set" command to enter the value, other people can read the command over
|
|
1322 your shoulder.
|
|
1323
|
|
1324 Since the value of the 'key' option is supposed to be a secret, its value can
|
|
1325 never be viewed. You should not set this option in a vimrc file.
|
|
1326
|
|
1327 An encrypted file can be recognized by the "file" command, if you add this
|
|
1328 line to "/etc/magic", "/usr/share/misc/magic" or wherever your system has the
|
|
1329 "magic" file: >
|
|
1330 0 string VimCrypt~ Vim encrypted file
|
|
1331
|
|
1332 Notes:
|
|
1333 - Encryption is not possible when doing conversion with 'charconvert'.
|
|
1334 - Text you copy or delete goes to the numbered registers. The registers can
|
|
1335 be saved in the .viminfo file, where they could be read. Change your
|
|
1336 'viminfo' option to be safe.
|
|
1337 - Someone can type commands in Vim when you walk away for a moment, he should
|
|
1338 not be able to get the key.
|
|
1339 - If you make a typing mistake when entering the key, you might not be able to
|
|
1340 get your text back!
|
|
1341 - If you type the key with a ":set key=value" command, it can be kept in the
|
|
1342 history, showing the 'key' value in a viminfo file.
|
|
1343 - There is never 100% safety. The encryption in Vim has not been tested for
|
|
1344 robustness.
|
|
1345 - The algorithm used is breakable. A 4 character key in about one hour, a 6
|
|
1346 character key in one day (on a Pentium 133 PC). This requires that you know
|
|
1347 some text that must appear in the file. An expert can break it for any key.
|
|
1348 When the text has been decrypted, this also means that the key can be
|
|
1349 revealed, and other files encrypted with the same key can be decrypted.
|
|
1350 - Pkzip uses the same encryption, and US Govt has no objection to its export.
|
|
1351 Pkzip's public file APPNOTE.TXT describes this algorithm in detail.
|
|
1352 - Vim originates from the Netherlands. That is where the sources come from.
|
|
1353 Thus the encryption code is not exported from the USA.
|
|
1354
|
|
1355 ==============================================================================
|
|
1356 10. Timestamps *timestamp* *timestamps*
|
|
1357
|
|
1358 Vim remembers the modification timestamp of a file when you begin editing it.
|
|
1359 This is used to avoid that you have two different versions of the same file
|
|
1360 (without you knowing this).
|
|
1361
|
|
1362 After a shell command is run (|:!cmd| |suspend| |:read!| |K|) timestamps are
|
|
1363 compared for all buffers in a window. Vim will run any associated
|
|
1364 |FileChangedShell| autocommands or display a warning for any files that have
|
|
1365 changed. In the GUI this happens when Vim regains input focus.
|
|
1366
|
|
1367 *E321* *E462*
|
|
1368 If you want to automatically reload a file when it has been changed outside of
|
|
1369 Vim, set the 'autoread' option. This doesn't work at the moment you write the
|
|
1370 file though, only when the file wasn't changed inside of Vim.
|
|
1371
|
|
1372 Note that if a FileChangedShell autocommand is defined you will not get a
|
|
1373 warning message or prompt. The autocommand is expected to handle this.
|
|
1374
|
|
1375 There is no warning for a directory (e.g., in the |file-explorer|). But you
|
|
1376 do get warned if you started editing a new file and it was created as a
|
|
1377 directory later.
|
|
1378
|
|
1379 When Vim notices the timestamp of a file has changed, and the file is being
|
|
1380 edited in a buffer but has not changed, Vim checks if the contents of the file
|
|
1381 is equal. This is done by reading the file again (into a hidden buffer, which
|
|
1382 is immediately deleted again) and comparing the text. If the text is equal,
|
|
1383 you will get no warning.
|
|
1384
|
|
1385 If you don't get warned often enough you can use the following command.
|
|
1386
|
|
1387 *:checkt* *:checktime*
|
|
1388 :checkt[ime] Check if any buffers were changed outside of Vim.
|
|
1389 This checks and warns you if you would end up with two
|
|
1390 versions of a file.
|
|
1391 If this is called from an autocommand, a ":global"
|
|
1392 command or is not typed the actual check is postponed
|
|
1393 until a moment the side effects (reloading the file)
|
|
1394 would be harmless.
|
|
1395 Each loaded buffer is checked for its associated file
|
|
1396 being changed. If the file was changed Vim will take
|
|
1397 action. If there are no changes in the buffer and
|
|
1398 'autoread' is set, the buffer is reloaded. Otherwise,
|
|
1399 you are offered the choice of reloading the file. If
|
|
1400 the file was deleted you get an error message.
|
|
1401 If the file previously didn't exist you get a warning
|
|
1402 if it exists now.
|
|
1403 Once a file has been checked the timestamp is reset,
|
|
1404 you will not be warned again.
|
|
1405
|
|
1406 :[N]checkt[ime] {filename}
|
|
1407 :[N]checkt[ime] [N]
|
|
1408 Check the timestamp of a specific buffer. The buffer
|
|
1409 may be specified by name, number or with a pattern.
|
|
1410
|
|
1411
|
|
1412 Before writing a file the timestamp is checked. If it has changed, Vim will
|
|
1413 ask if you really want to overwrite the file:
|
|
1414
|
|
1415 WARNING: The file has been changed since reading it!!!
|
|
1416 Do you really want to write to it (y/n)?
|
|
1417
|
|
1418 If you hit 'y' Vim will continue writing the file. If you hit 'n' the write is
|
|
1419 aborted. If you used ":wq" or "ZZ" Vim will not exit, you will get another
|
|
1420 chance to write the file.
|
|
1421
|
|
1422 The message would normally mean that somebody has written to the file after
|
|
1423 the edit session started. This could be another person, in which case you
|
|
1424 probably want to check if your changes to the file and the changes from the
|
|
1425 other person should be merged. Write the file under another name and check for
|
|
1426 differences (the "diff" program can be used for this).
|
|
1427
|
|
1428 It is also possible that you modified the file yourself, from another edit
|
|
1429 session or with another command (e.g., a filter command). Then you will know
|
|
1430 which version of the file you want to keep.
|
|
1431
|
|
1432
|
|
1433 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl:
|