*eval.txt*      For Vim version 6.0ab.  Last change: 2001 Apr 13


		  VIM REFERENCE MANUAL    by Bram Moolenaar


Expression evaluation					*expression* *expr*

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 the
last chapter below.

1. Variables		|variables|
2. Expression syntax	|expression-syntax|
3. Internal variable	|internal-variables|
4. Builtin Functions	|functions|
5. Defining functions	|user-functions|
6. Curly braces names	|curly-braces-names|
7. Commands		|expression-commands|
8. Examples		|eval-examples|
9. No +eval feature	|no-eval-feature|
10. The sandbox		|eval-sandbox|

{Vi does not have any of these commands}

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

There are two types of variables:

Number		a 32 bit signed number.
String		a NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters.

These 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"

Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
to a number.  Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are 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

To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
:echo "0100" + 0

For boolean operators Numbers are used.  Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.

Note that in the command >
:if "foo"
"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE.  To test for a non-empty string,
use strlen(): >
:if strlen("foo")

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 ? expr1 : expr1	if-then-else

|expr2|	expr3 || expr3 ..	logical OR

|expr3|	expr4 && expr4 ..	logical AND

|expr4|	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|	expr6 +	 expr6 ..	number addition
expr6 -	 expr6 ..	number subtraction
expr6 .	 expr6 ..	string concatenation

|expr6|	expr7 *	 expr7 ..	number multiplication
expr7 /	 expr7 ..	number division
expr7 %	 expr7 ..	number modulo

|expr7|	! expr7			logical NOT
- expr7			unary minus
+ expr7			unary plus
expr8

|expr8|	expr9[expr1]		index in String

|expr9|	number			number constant
"string"		string constant
'string'		literal string constant
&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


".." 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*
-----

expr2 ? expr1 : expr1

The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number.  If it evaluates to
non-zero, 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


expr2 and expr3						*expr2* *expr3*
---------------

					*expr-barbar* *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    ~
zero	zero		zero		zero
zero	non-zero	non-zero	zero
non-zero	zero		non-zero	zero
non-zero	non-zero	non-zero	non-zero

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 non-zero,
so the result must be non-zero.  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-!~?*
		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	!~		!~#		!~?

Examples:
"abc" ==# "Abc"	  evaluates to 0
"abc" ==? "Abc"	  evaluates to 1
"abc" == "Abc"	  evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise

When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
and the comparison is done on Numbers.

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().

When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().

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		*expr-+*
expr6 -	 expr6 ..	number subtraction	*expr--*
expr6 .	 expr6 ..	string concatenation	*expr-.*

expr7 *	 expr7 ..	number multiplication	*expr-star*
expr7 /	 expr7 ..	number division		*expr-/*
expr7 %	 expr7 ..	number modulo		*expr-%*

For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.

Note the difference between "+" and ".":
"123" + "456" = 579
"123" . "456" = "123456"

When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0xfffffff.
When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.


expr7							*expr7*
-----
! expr7			logical NOT		*expr-!*
- expr7			unary minus		*expr-unary--*
+ expr7			unary plus		*expr-unary-+*

For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes 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*
-----
expr9[expr1]		index in String		*expr-[]*

This results in a String that contains the expr1'th single character from
expr9.  expr9 is used as a String, expr1 as a Number.

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

If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
String.

						*expr9*
number
------
number			number constant		*expr-number*

Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).


string							*expr-string*
------
"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..	two-character hex number (e.g., "\x1f")
\x.	one-character hex number (must be followed by non-hex)
\X..	same as \x..
\X.	same as \x.
\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.

Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.


literal-string						*literal-string*
---------------
'string'		literal string constant		*expr-'*

Note that single quotes are used.

This string is taken literally.  No backslashes are removed or have a special
meaning.  A literal-string cannot contain a single quote.  Use a normal string
for that.


option							*expr-option*
------
&option			option value

Any option name can be used here.  See |options|.  This sets the buffer-local
or window-local value if there is one.


register						*expr-register*
--------
@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 @@.  The '=' register can not be used here.  See |registers| for
an explanation of the available registers.


nesting							*expr-nesting*
-------
(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.
						*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 $version
:echo expand("$version")
The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
variable (if you shell supports it).


internal variable					*expr-variable*
-----------------
variable		internal variable
See below |internal-variables|.


function call						*expr-function*
-------------
function(expr1, ...)	function call
See below |functions|.


==============================================================================
3. Internal variable					*internal-variables*

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 destroyed with the ":unlet" command |:unlet|.
Using a name that isn't an internal variable, or an internal 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
|buffer-variable|    b:	  Local to the current buffer.
|window-variable|    w:	  Local to the current window.
|global-variable|    g:	  Global.
|local-variable|     l:	  Local to a function.
|script-variable|    s:	  Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
|function-argument|  a:	  Function argument (only inside a function).
|vim-variable|       v:	  Global, predefined by Vim.

						*buffer-variable* *b:var*
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 unloaded.  If you want to
keep it, avoid that the buffer is unloaded by setting the 'hidden' option.

One local buffer variable is predefined:
					*b:changedtick-variable* *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.  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
<
						*window-variable* *w:var*
A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window.  It
is deleted when the window is closed.

						*global-variable* *g:var*
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*
Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.

						*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
- etc.

script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
An example that works: >

	let s:counter = 0
	function MyCounter()
	  let s:counter = s:counter + 1
	  echo s:counter
	endfunction
	command Tick call MyCounter()

And an example that does NOT work: >

	let s:counter = 0
	command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter

When the ":Tick" command is executed outside the script, the s:counter
variable will not be available.  In the previous example, calling the
MyCounter() function sets the context for script variables to where the
function was defined, then s:counter can be used.
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: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:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
v:fname_in	The name of the input file.  Only valid while evaluating:
			option		used for ~
			'charconvert'	file to be converted
			'diffexpr'	original file
			'patchexpr'	original file

					*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:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
v:cmdarg	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.

					*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.
		"count" also works, for backwards compatibility.

					*v:count1* *count1-variable*
v:count1	Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
		used.

					*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 mode and then use the count. >
			:vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
<		Read-only.

					*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.

					*v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
v:folddashes	Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of closed
		fold.
		Read-only. |fold-foldtext|

					*v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
v:foldend	Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
		Read-only. |fold-foldtext|

					*v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
v:foldstart	Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
		Read-only. |fold-foldtext|

						*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.
		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: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.
		This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
		command.
		Normally it's equal to 'encoding', but not always...
		See |multi-lang|.

						*v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
v:lnum		Line number for the 'foldexpr' and 'indentexpr' expressions.
		Only valid while onf of these expressions is being evaluated.
		Read-only. |fold-expr| 'indentexpr'

					*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.

					*v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
v:statusmsg	Last given status message.  It's allowed to set this 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 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: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.

					*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 (5.01)
		is 501.  Read-only.  "version" also works, for backwards
		compatibility.

					*v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
v:warningmsg	Last given warning message.  It's allowed to set this variable.

==============================================================================
4. Builtin Functions					*functions*

(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation)

USAGE				RESULT	DESCRIPTION	~

append( {lnum}, {string})	Number  append {string} below line {lnum}
argc()				Number	number of files in the argument list
argv( {nr})			String	{nr} entry of the argument list
browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
				String	put up a file requester
bufexists( {expr})		Number	TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
buflisted( {expr})		Number  TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
bufloaded( {expr})		Number  TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
bufname( {expr})		String	Name of the buffer {expr}
bufnr( {expr})			Number	Number of the buffer {expr}
bufwinnr( {expr})		Number	window number of buffer {expr}
byte2line( {byte})		Number	line number at byte count {byte}
char2nr( {expr})		Number	ASCII value of first char in {expr}
col( {expr})			Number	column nr of cursor or mark
confirm( {msg}, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]])
				Number	number of choice picked by user
cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
				Number	checks existence of cscope connection
delete( {fname})		Number	delete file {fname}
did_filetype()			Number	TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
escape( {string}, {chars})	String	escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
eventhandler( )			Number  TRUE if inside an event handler
executable( {expr})		Number	1 if executable {expr} exists
exists( {var})			Number	TRUE if {var} exists
expand( {expr})			String	expand special keywords in {expr}
filereadable( {file})		Number	TRUE if {file} is a readable file
fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods})	String	modify file name
foldclosed( {lnum})		Number  >0 if fold at {lnum} is closed
foldlevel( {lnum})		Number	fold level at {lnum}
foldtext( )			String  line displayed for closed fold
getchar( [expr])		Number  get one character from the user
getcharmod( )			Number  modifiers for the last typed character
getbufvar( {expr}, {varname})		variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
getcwd()			String	the current working directory
getftime( {fname})		Number	last modification time of file
getfsize( {fname})		Number	size in bytes of file
getline( {lnum})		String	line {lnum} from current buffer
getwinposx()			Number	X coord in pixels of GUI vim window
getwinposy()			Number	Y coord in pixels of GUI vim window
getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}		variable {varname} in window {nr}
glob( {expr}])			String	expand file wildcards in {expr}
globpath( {path}, {expr})	String	do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
has( {feature})			Number	TRUE if feature {feature} supported
hasmapto( {what} [, {mode}])	Number	TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
histadd( {history},{item})	String	add an item to a history
histdel( {history} [, {item}])	String	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
indent( {lnum})			Number  indent of line {lnum}
input( {prompt} [, {text}])	String	get input from the user
inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String  like input() but hiding the text
isdirectory( {directory})	Number	TRUE if {directory} is a directory
libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg})	String  call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg})  Number  idem, but return a Number
line( {expr})			Number	line nr of cursor, last line or mark
line2byte( {lnum})		Number	byte count of line {lnum}
localtime()			Number	current time
maparg( {name}[, {mode}])	String	rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
mapcheck( {name}[, {mode}])	String	check for mappings matching {name}
match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}])
				Number	position where {pat} matches in {expr}
matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start})
				Number	position where {pat} ends in {expr}
matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}])
				String	match of {pat} in {expr}
mode()				String  current editing mode
nextnonblank( {lnum})		Number	line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
nr2char( {expr})		String	single char with ASCII value {expr}
prevnonblank( {lnum})		Number	line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
rename({from}, {to})		Number  rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
search( {pattern} [, {flags}])	Number  search for {pattern}
searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
				Number  search for other end of start/end pair
setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val})	set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
setline( {lnum}, {line})	Number	set line {lnum} to {line}
setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val})	set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
strftime( {format}[, {time}])	String	time in specified format
stridx( {haystack}, {needle})	Number	first index of {needle} in {haystack}
strlen( {expr})			Number	length of the String {expr}
strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
				String	{len} characters of {src} at {start}
strridx( {haystack}, {needle})	Number	last index of {needle} in {haystack}
strtrans( {expr})		String	translate string to make it printable
substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
				String	all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
synID( {line}, {col}, {trans})	Number	syntax ID at {line} and {col}
synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
				String	attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
synIDtrans( {synID})		Number	translated syntax ID of {synID}
system( {expr})			String	output of shell command {expr}
tempname()			String	name for a temporary file
tolower( {expr})		String	the String {expr} switched to lower case
toupper( {expr})		String	the String {expr} switched to upper case
type( {name})			Number	type of variable {name}
virtcol( {expr})		Number	screen column of cursor or mark
visualmode()			String	last visual mode used
winbufnr( {nr})			Number	buffer number of window {nr}
winheight( {nr})		Number	height of window {nr}
winnr()				Number	number of current window
winwidth( {nr})			Number	width of window {nr}

append({lnum}, {string}					*append()*
		Append the text {string} after 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 0 for
		success.

							*argc()*
argc()		The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
		current window.  See |arglist|.

							*argv()*
argv({nr})	The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
		current window.  See |arglist|.  "argv(0)" is the first one.
		Example: >
	:let i = 0
	:while i < argc()
	:  let f = substitute(argv(i), '\([. ]\)', '\\&', 'g')
	:  exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
	:  let i = i + 1
	:endwhile
<
							*browse()*
browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
		Put up a file requester.  This only works when "has("browse")"
		returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
		The input fields are:
		    {save}	when non-zero, select file to write
		    {title}	title for the requester
		    {initdir}	directory to start browsing in
		    {default}	default file name
		When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
		browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.

bufexists({expr})					*bufexists()*
		The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
		{expr} exists.
		If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
		exactly.
		If the {expr} argument is a number buffer numbers are used.
		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.
		Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
		file name.
							*buffer_exists()*
		Obsolete name: buffer_exists().

buflisted({expr})					*buflisted()*
		The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
		{expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
		The {expr} argument is used like with bufexists().

bufloaded({expr})					*bufloaded()*
		The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
		{expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
		The {expr} argument is used like with bufexists().

bufname({expr})						*bufname()*
		The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
		":ls" command.
		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 regexp 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.
		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)
<		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})	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.
		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.
							*buffer_number()*
		Obsolete name: buffer_number().
							*last_buffer_nr()*
		Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().

bufwinnr({expr})					*bufwinnr()*
		The result is a Number, which is the number 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 " . (bufwinnr(1))
<
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|.
		{not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
		feature}

char2nr({expr})						*char2nr()*
		Return ASCII value of the first char in {expr}.  Examples: >
			char2nr(" ")		returns 32
			char2nr("ABC")		returns 65
<
							*col()*
col({expr})	The result is a Number, which is the column of the file
		position given with {expr}.  The accepted positions are:
		    .	    the cursor position
		    $	    the end of the cursor line (the result is the
			    number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
		    'x	    position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
			    returned)
		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.

							*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.
		{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 shorcut 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, 0 is used.
		The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog.  This
		is only used for the icon of the 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.

							*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
<
		Invokation					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
<
							*delete()*
delete({fname})	Deletes the file by the name {fname}.  The result is a Number,
		which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
		when the deletion failed.

							*did_filetype()*
did_filetype()	Returns non-zero 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|
		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 sytnax
		file.

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
<
eventhandler()						*eventhandler()*
		Returns 1 when inside an event handler.  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 normal $PATH.
		The result is a Number:
			1	exists
			0	does not exist
			-1	not implemented on this system

							*exists()*
exists({expr})	The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {var} is defined,
		zero otherwise.  The {expr} argument is a string, which
		contains one of these:
			&option-name	Vim option
			$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|).
			varname		internal variable (see
					|internal-variables|).
			:cmdname	Ex command, both built-in and user
					commands |:command|
					returns:
					1  for match with start of a command
					2  full match with a command
					3  matches several user commands
			#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)

		Examples: >
			exists("&shortname")
			exists("$HOSTNAME")
			exists("*strftime")
			exists("bufcount")
			exists(":Make")
			exists("#CursorHold");
			exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
<		There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
		name.
		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 contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
		exists.

expand({expr} [, {flag}])				*expand()*
		Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
		The result is a String.

		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.

		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
			<amatch>	autocmd matched name
			<sfile>		sourced script file name
			<cword>		word under the cursor
			<cWORD>		WORD under the cursor
		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
		{flag} argument is given and it is non-zero.

		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 must be started.  See |expr-env-expand|.

		See |glob()| for finding existing files.  See |system()| for
		getting the raw output of an external command.

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.
							*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.

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 and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
		|expand()| first then.

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.

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.

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.

							*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 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.
		{not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}

getchar([expr])						*getchar()*
		Get a single character from the user.
		If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
		If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
		If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
				not consumed.  If a normal character is
				available, it is returned, otherwise a
				non-zero value is returned.
		If a character available, it is returned as a Number.  Use
		nr2char() to convert it to a String.
		The returned value is negative for special keys.
		The returned value is zero if no character is available.
		There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
		user that a character has to be typed.
		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

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	mouse double click
			32	mouse triple click
			64	mouse quadruple click
			128	Macintosh only: command

getbufvar({expr}, {varname})				*getbufvar()*
		The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
		{varname} in buffer {expr}.
		This also works for a global or local window option, but it
		doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
		For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
		Note that the name without "b:" must be used.
		Examples: >
			:let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
			:echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
<
							*getcwd()*
getcwd()	The result is a String, which is the name of the current
		working directory.

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.

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.

							*getline()*
getline({lnum}) 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.

							*getwinposx()*
getwinposx()	The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
		the left hand side of the GUI vim window.  The result will be
		-1 if the information is not available.

							*getwinposy()*
getwinposy()	The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
		the top of the GUI vim window.  The result will be -1 if the
		information is not available.

getwinvar({nr}, {varname})				*getwinvar()*
		The result is the value of option or local window variable
		{varname} in window {nr}.
		This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
		doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
		Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
		Examples: >
			:let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
			:echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
<
							*glob()*
glob({expr})	Expand the file wildcards in {expr}.  The result is a String.
		When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
		characters.
		If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
		A name for a non-existing file is not 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.

globpath({path}, {expr})				*globpath()*
		Perform glob() 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.
		If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
		error message.

							*has()*
has({feature})	The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
		supported, zero otherwise.  The {feature} argument is a
		string.  See |feature-list| below.

hasmapto({what} [, {mode}])				*hasmapto()*
		The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
		contains {what} in the rhs (what it is mapped to) and this
		mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by {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 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".

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
		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: ")
<
histdel({history} [, {item}])				*histdel()*
		Clear {history}, ie. delete all its entries.  See |hist-names|
		for the possible values of {history}.

		If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
		as regular expression.  All entries matching that expression
		will be removed from the history (if there are any).
		Upper/lower case must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|"
		If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as 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)

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>)
<
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")
<
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().

							*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().

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 fails an empty string is returned.
		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.
		{only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}

							*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.

input({prompt} [, {text}])				*input()*
		The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
		the command-line.  The parameter 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().
		If the optional {text} is present, this is used for the
		default reply, as if the user typed this.
		NOTE: This must not be used in a startup file, for the
		versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).

		Example: >
			:if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
			:  echo "Cheers!"
			:endif
<		Example with default text: >
			:let color = input("Color? ", "white")

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.

isdirectory({directory})				*isdirectory()*
		The result is a Number, which is non-zero 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.

							*libcall()*
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 {param} is a string, it is passed as a null-terminated
		string.

		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-independant ('PIC').
		{only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
		feature is present}
		Examples: >
			:echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
			:echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
<
							*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}
		Example (not very useful...): >
			:call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
			:call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
<
							*line()*
line({expr})	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)
		Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
		Examples: >
			line(".")		line number of the cursor
			line("'t")		line number of mark t
			line("'" . marker)	line number of mark marker
<							*last-position-jump*
		This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
		just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
	:au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") | exe "normal '\"" | endif
<
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.
		This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
		below the last line: >
			line2byte(line("$") + 1)
<		This 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|.

localtime()						*localtime()*
		Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
		1970.  See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.

maparg({name}[, {mode}])				*maparg()*
		Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}.  When there
		is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
		These characters can be used for {mode}:
			"n"	Normal
			"v"	Visual
			"o"	Operator-pending
			"i"	Insert
			"c"	Cmd-line
			""	Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
		When {mode} is omitted, the modes from "" are used.
		The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
		command.  The returned String has special characters
		translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
		The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
		then the global mappings.

mapcheck({name}[, {mode}])				*mapcheck()*
		Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
		{mode}.  See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
		{name}.
		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.
		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".

match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}])				*match()*
		The result is a Number, which gives the index in {expr} where
		{pat} matches.  A match at the first character returns zero.
		If there is no match -1 is returned.  Example: >
			:echo match("testing", "ing")
<		results in "4".
		See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
		If {start} is given, the search starts from character {start}.
		The result, however, is still the index counted from the
		first character. 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".
		If {start} < 0, it will be set to 0.
		If {start} > strlen({expr}) -1 is returned.
		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.

matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}])			*matchend()*
		Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
		the match.  Example: >
			:echo matchend("testing", "ing")
<		results in "7".
		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".

matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}])			*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 "".

							*mode()*
mode()		Return a string that indicates the current mode:
			n	Normal
			v	Visual by character
			V	Visual by line
			CTRL-V	Visual blockwise
			s	Select by character
			S	Select by line
			CTRL-S	Select blockwise
			i	Insert
			R	Replace
			c	Command-line
			r	Hit-enter prompt
		This is useful in the 'statusline' option.  In most other
		places it always returns "c".

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()|.

nr2char({expr})						*nr2char()*
		Return a string with a single character, which has the ASCII
		value {expr}.  Examples: >
			nr2char(64)		returns "@"
			nr2char(32)		returns " "
<
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.

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.

search({pattern} [, {flags}])				*search()*
		Search for regexp pattern {pattern}.  The search starts at the
		cursor position.
		{flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
		'b'	search backward instead of forward
		'w'	wrap around the end of the file
		'W'	don't wrap around the end of the file
		If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.

		When a match has been found its line number is returned, and
		the cursor will be positioned at the match.  If there is no
		match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't move.  No error
		message is given.

		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
<
							*searchpair()*
searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
		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.  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} are used like with |search()|.  Additionally:
		'n'	do Not move the cursor
		'r'	repeat until no more matches found; will find the
			outer pair
		'm'	return number of matches instead of line number with
			the match; will only be > 1 when 'r' is used.

		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.

		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".

		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"')


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")
<
setline({lnum}, {line})					*setline()*
		Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {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"))
<		Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.

setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val})			*setwinvar()*
		Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
		{val}.
		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 setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
			:call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
<
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()| and |getftime()|.  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.
<
stridx({haystack}, {needle})				*stridx()*
		The result is a Number, which gives the index in {haystack} of
		the first occurrence of the String {needle} in the String
		{haystack}. The search is done case-sensitive. For advanced
		searches use |match()|.
		If the {needle} does not occur in {haystack} it returns -1.
		See also |strridx()|. Examples: >
		  :echo stridx("An Example", "Example")	     3
		  :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start")    0
		  :echo stridx("Starting point", "start")   -1
<
							*strlen()*
strlen({expr})	The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
		{expr}.

strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}])			*strpart()*
		The result is a String, which is part of {src},
		starting from character {start}, with the length {len}.
		When non-existing characters are included, this doesn't result
		in an error, the characters 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 characters under and after the cursor: >
			strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3)
<
strridx({haystack}, {needle})				*strridx()*
		The result is a Number, which gives the index in {haystack} of
		the last occurrence of the String {needle} in the String
		{haystack}. The search is done case-sensitive. For advanced
		searches use |match()|.
		If the {needle} does not occur in {haystack} it returns -1.
		See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
		  :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an")	     3
<
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.

submatch({nr})						*submatch()*
		Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command.  Returns
		the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text  When {nr} is 0
		the whole matched text is returned.
		Example: >
			:s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
<		This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.

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}.  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).
		See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
		And 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
		a literal "\n", use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
		When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
		unmodified.
		When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
		replaced.  Otherwise {flags} should be "".
		Example: >
			:let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
<		This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
			:echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
<		results in "TESTING".

synID({line}, {col}, {trans})				*synID()*
		The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
		{line} 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, {line} is 1 for the first
		line.
		When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
		item that they reveal.  This is useful when wanting to know
		the effective color.  When {trans} is zero, 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 (echos 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, cterm:
				color number as a string, term: empty string)
		"bg"		background color (like "fg")
		"fg#"		like "fg", but name in "#RRGGBB" form
		"bg#"		like "bg", but name in "#RRGGBB" form
		"bold"		"1" if bold
		"italic"	"1" if italic
		"reverse"	"1" if reverse
		"inverse"	"1" if inverse (= reverse)
		"underline"	"1" if underlined

		When the GUI is not running or the cterm mode is asked for,
		"fg#" is equal to "fg" and "bg#" is equal to "bg".

		Example (echos the color of the syntax item under the cursor): >
	:echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "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.

							*system()*
system({expr})	Get the output of the shell command {expr}.  Note: newlines
		in {expr} may cause the command to fail.  This is not to be
		used for interactive commands.
		The result is a String.  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.
		'shellredir' is used to capture the output of the command.
		Depending on 'shell', you might be able to capture stdout with
		">" and stdout plus stderr with ">&" (csh) or use "2>" to
		capture stderr (sh).
		The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
		This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.

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 (only
		accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
		(e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
		When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.

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

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

type({expr})						*type()*
		The result is a Number:
			0 if {expr} has the type Number
			1 if {expr} has the type String

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;
		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)
		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.

visualmode()						*visualmode()*
		The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
		used.  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.

							*winbufnr()*
winbufnr({nr})	The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
		associated with window {nr}. 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))
<
winheight({nr})						*winheight()*
		The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
		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.
		Examples: >
  :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
<
							*winnr()*
winnr()		The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
		window.  The top window has number 1.

winwidth({nr})						*winwidth()*
		The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
		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
  :  exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
  :endif
<

							*feature-list*
There are two 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")

all_builtin_terms	Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
amiga			Amiga version of Vim.
arp			Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
autocmd			Compiled with autocommands support.
balloon_eval		Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
beos			BeOS version of Vim.
browse			Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
			work.
builtin_terms		Compiled with some builtin terminals.
byte_offset		Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
cindent			Compiled with 'cindent' support.
clipboard		Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
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.
cryptv			Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
cscope			Compiled with |cscope| support.
compatible		Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
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.
dos32			32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
dos16			16 bits DOS version of Vim.
emacs_tags		Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
eval			Compiled with expression evaluation support.  Always
			true, of course!
ex_extra		Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
extra_search		Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
			|'hlsearch'|
farsi			Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
file_in_path		Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
find_in_path		Compiled with support for include file searches
			|+find_in_path|.
fname_case		Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
			Windows this is not present).
folding			Compiled with |folding| support.
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_beos		Compiled with BeOs GUI.
gui_gtk			Compiled with GTK+ GUI.
gui_mac			Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
gui_motif		Compiled with Motif GUI.
gui_photon		Compiled with Photon GUI.
gui_win32		Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
gui_win32s		idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
gui_running		Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
hangul_input		Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
iconv			Can use iconv() for coversion.
insert_expand		Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
			Insert mode.
jumplist		Compiled with |jumplist| support.
keymap			Compiled with 'keymap' support.
langmap			Compiled with 'langmap' support.
libcall			Compiled with |libcall()| support.
linebreak		Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
			support.
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|
mac			Macintosh version of Vim.
menu			Compiled with support for |:menu|.
mksession		Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
modify_fname		Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
mouse			Compiled with support mouse.
mouseshape		Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
mouse_dec		Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
mouse_gpm		Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
mouse_netterm		Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
mouse_pterm		Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
mouse_xterm		Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
multi_byte		Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
multi_byte_ime		Compiled with support for IME input method.
multi_lang		Compiled with support for multiple languages.
ole			Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
os2			OS/2 version of Vim.
osfiletype		Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
path_extra		Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
perl			Compiled with Perl interface.
python			Compiled with Python interface.
qnx			QNX version of vim.
quickfix		Compiled with |quickfix| support.
rightleft		Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
scrollbind		Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
showcmd			Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
smartindent		Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
sniff			Compiled with SniFF interface support.
statusline		Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
			and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
syntax			Compiled with syntax highlighting support.
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		Compiled with support for old static tags
			|tag-old-static|.
tag_any_white		Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
			files |tag-any-white|.
tcl			Compiled with Tcl interface.
terminfo		Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
termresponse		Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
textobjects		Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
tgetent			Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
			or terminfo file.
title			Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
toolbar			Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
unix			Unix version of Vim.
user_commands		User-defined commands.
viminfo			Compiled with viminfo support.
vim_starting		True while initial source'ing takes place.
vertsplit		Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
virtualedit		Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
visual			Compiled with Visual mode.
visualextra		Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
			|blockwise-operators|.
vms			VMS version of Vim.
wildignore		Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
wildmenu		Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
windows			Compiled with support for more than one window.
winaltkeys		Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
win16			Win16 version of Vim (Windows 3.1).
win32			Win32 version of Vim (Windows 95/NT).
writebackup		Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
xim			Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
xfontset		Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
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 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|.

							*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 mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
instead of ":s" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.

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

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

:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort]
			Define a new function by the name {name}.  The name
			must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
			must start with a capital.
						*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).
			Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas.
			Finally, an argument "..." can be specified, which
			means that more arguments may be following.  In the
			function they can be used as "a:1", "a:2", etc.  "a:0"
			is set to the number of extra arguments (which can be
			0).
			When not using "...", the number of arguments in a
			function call must be equal the number of named
			arguments.  When using "...", the number of arguments
			may be larger.
			It is also possible to define a function without any
			arguments.  You must still supply the () then.
			The body of the function follows in the next lines,
			until the matching |:endfunction|.  It is allowed to
			define another function inside a function body.
			When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
			not used an error message is given.  When [!] is used,
			an existing function is silently replaced.
			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|.
			When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
			abort as soon as an error is detected.
			The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
			will not be changed by the function.

							*:endf* *:endfunction*
:endf[unction]		The end of a function definition.

							*:delf* *:delfunction*
:delf[unction] {name}	Delete function {name}.

							*:retu* *:return*
: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".

Inside a function variables can be used.  These are local variables, which
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
  :  let idx = 1
  :  while idx <= a:0
  :    exe "echo a:" . idx
  :    let idx = idx + 1
  :  endwhile
  :  return idx
  :endfunction

This function can then be called with: >
  let lines = Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
  let lines = Table("Empty Table")

To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
  :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
  :  if a:n2 == 0
  :    return "fail"
  :  endif
  :  exe "let g:" . a:divname . " = ". a:n1 / a:n2
  :  return "ok"
  :endfunction

This function can then be called with: >
  :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
  :if success == "ok"
  :  echo div
  :endif

An alternative is to return a command that can be executed.  This also works
with local variables in a calling function.  Example: >
  :function Foo()
  :  execute Bar()
  :  echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
  :endfunction

  :function Bar()
  :  return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
  :endfunction

The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
the caller to set the names.

							*:cal* *:call*
:[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.
		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.


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

							*autoload-functions*
When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
only when they are used.  Example: >

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

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

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

Wherever 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)"

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

:let {var-name} = {expr1}				*:let*
			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 ${env-name} = {expr1}			*:let-environment* *:let-$*
			Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
			the expression {expr1}.  The type is always String.

: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 &{option-name} = {expr1}			*:let-option* *:let-star*
			Set option {option-name} to the result of the
			expression {expr1}.  The 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 is changed.

: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}
			Like above, but only set the global value of an option
			(if there is one).  Works like |:setglobal|.

							*:unlet* *:unl*
:unl[et][!] {var-name} ...
			Remove the internal variable {var-name}.  Several
			variable names can be given, they are all removed.
			With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
			variables.

:if {expr1}						*:if* *:endif* *:en*
: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
			backwards 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
<
							*:else* *:el*
:el[se]			Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
			or ":endif" if they previously were not being
			executed.

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

:wh[ile] {expr1}			*:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
: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".

			NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
			properly inside a ":while" loop.

							*:continue* *:con*
:con[tinue]		When used inside a ":while", jumps back to the
			":while".

							*:break* *:brea*
:brea[k]		When used inside a ":while", skips to the command
			after the matching ":endwhile".

							*:ec* *:echo*
:ec[ho] {expr1} ..	Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between and a
			terminating <EOL>.  Also see |:comment|.
			Use "\n" to start a new line.  Use "\r" to move the
			cursor to the first column.
			Cannot be followed by a comment.
			Example: >
		:echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
<
							*:echon*
:echon {expr1} ..	Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added.  Also see
			|:comment|.
			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[n]" commands.  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.
			Example: >
		:echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
<
							*:echoe* *:echoerr*
:echoe[rr] {expr1} ..	Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
			message in the |message-history|.
			Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
			:echo command.
			Example: >
		:echoerr "This script just failed!"
<
							*: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.
			Cannot be followed by a comment.
			Examples: >
		:execute "buffer " nextbuf
		:execute "normal " count . "w"
<
			Execute can be used to append a next 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|.

			Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
			you cannot start or end a "while" or "if" command.
			Thus this is illegal: >
		:execute 'while i > 5'
		:execute 'echo "test" | break'
<
			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'
<

							*: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. Examples						*eval-examples*

Printing in Hex ~
>
  :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
  :func Nr2Hex(nr)
  :  let n = a:nr
  :  let r = ""
  :  while n
  :    let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
  :    let n = n / 16
  :  endwhile
  :  return r
  :endfunc

  :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
  :" character Hex string.
  :func String2Hex(str)
  :  let out = ''
  :  let ix = 0
  :  while ix < strlen(a:str)
  :    let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
  :    let ix = ix + 1
  :  endwhile
  :  return out
  :endfunc

Example of its use: >
  :echo Nr2Hex(32)
result: "20" >
  :echo String2Hex("32")
result: "3332"


Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~

Here is a vim script to sort lines.  Highlight the lines in vim and type
":Sort".  This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
platform.  The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
function as its argument, like qsort() does in C.  So you could supply it
with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
>
  :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
  :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
  :  if (a:str1 < a:str2)
  :	return -1
  :  elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
  :	return 1
  :  else
  :	return 0
  :  endif
  :endfunction

  :" Sort lines.  SortR() is called recursively.
  :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
  :  if (a:start >= a:end)
  :	return
  :  endif
  :  let partition = a:start - 1
  :  let middle = partition
  :  let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
  :  let i = a:start
  :  while (i <= a:end)
  :	let str = getline(i)
  :	exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
  :	if (result <= 0)
  :	    " Need to put it before the partition.  Swap lines i and partition.
  :	    let partition = partition + 1
  :	    if (result == 0)
  :		let middle = partition
  :	    endif
  :	    if (i != partition)
  :		let str2 = getline(partition)
  :		call setline(i, str2)
  :		call setline(partition, str)
  :	    endif
  :	endif
  :	let i = i + 1
  :  endwhile

  :  " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
  :  " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition.  Make sure it is at
  :  " the end of the partition.
  :  if (middle != partition)
  :	let str = getline(middle)
  :	let str2 = getline(partition)
  :	call setline(middle, str2)
  :	call setline(partition, str)
  :  endif
  :  call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
  :  call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
  :endfunc

  :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
  :" function that will compare two lines.
  :func! Sort(cmp) range
  :  call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
  :endfunc

  :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
  :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
<
							*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)

==============================================================================
9. 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
<
==============================================================================
10. The sandbox					*eval-sandbox* *sandbox*

The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
options are evaluated in a sandbox.  This means that you are protected from
these expression 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.
This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.

These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
	- changing the buffer text
	- defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
	- setting an option with ":set"
	- executing a shell command
	- reading or writing a file
	- jumping to another buffer or editing a file

 vim:tw=78:
