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diff --git a/runtime/doc/quickfix.txt b/runtime/doc/quickfix.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b8ad858 --- /dev/null +++ b/runtime/doc/quickfix.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1996 @@ +*quickfix.txt* For Vim version 8.2. Last change: 2020 May 31 + + + VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar + + +This subject is introduced in section |30.1| of the user manual. + +1. Using QuickFix commands |quickfix| +2. The error window |quickfix-window| +3. Using more than one list of errors |quickfix-error-lists| +4. Using :make |:make_makeprg| +5. Using :grep |grep| +6. Selecting a compiler |compiler-select| +7. The error format |error-file-format| +8. The directory stack |quickfix-directory-stack| +9. Specific error file formats |errorformats| +10. Customizing the quickfix window |quickfix-window-function| + +The quickfix commands are not available when the |+quickfix| feature was +disabled at compile time. + +============================================================================= +1. Using QuickFix commands *quickfix* *Quickfix* *E42* + +Vim has a special mode to speedup the edit-compile-edit cycle. This is +inspired by the quickfix option of the Manx's Aztec C compiler on the Amiga. +The idea is to save the error messages from the compiler in a file and use Vim +to jump to the errors one by one. You can examine each problem and fix it, +without having to remember all the error messages. + +In Vim the quickfix commands are used more generally to find a list of +positions in files. For example, |:vimgrep| finds pattern matches. You can +use the positions in a script with the |getqflist()| function. Thus you can +do a lot more than the edit/compile/fix cycle! + +If you have the error messages in a file you can start Vim with: > + vim -q filename + +From inside Vim an easy way to run a command and handle the output is with the +|:make| command (see below). + +The 'errorformat' option should be set to match the error messages from your +compiler (see |errorformat| below). + + *quickfix-ID* +Each quickfix list has a unique identifier called the quickfix ID and this +number will not change within a Vim session. The |getqflist()| function can be +used to get the identifier assigned to a list. There is also a quickfix list +number which may change whenever more than ten lists are added to a quickfix +stack. + + *location-list* *E776* +A location list is a window-local quickfix list. You get one after commands +like `:lvimgrep`, `:lgrep`, `:lhelpgrep`, `:lmake`, etc., which create a +location list instead of a quickfix list as the corresponding `:vimgrep`, +`:grep`, `:helpgrep`, `:make` do. + *location-list-file-window* +A location list is associated with a window and each window can have a +separate location list. A location list can be associated with only one +window. The location list is independent of the quickfix list. + +When a window with a location list is split, the new window gets a copy of the +location list. When there are no longer any references to a location list, +the location list is destroyed. + + *quickfix-changedtick* +Every quickfix and location list has a read-only changedtick variable that +tracks the total number of changes made to the list. Every time the quickfix +list is modified, this count is incremented. This can be used to perform an +action only when the list has changed. The |getqflist()| and |getloclist()| +functions can be used to query the current value of changedtick. You cannot +change the changedtick variable. + +The following quickfix commands can be used. The location list commands are +similar to the quickfix commands, replacing the 'c' prefix in the quickfix +command with 'l'. + + *E924* +If the current window was closed by an |autocommand| while processing a +location list command, it will be aborted. + + *E925* *E926* +If the current quickfix or location list was changed by an |autocommand| while +processing a quickfix or location list command, it will be aborted. + + *:cc* +:cc[!] [nr] Display error [nr]. If [nr] is omitted, the same +:[nr]cc[!] error is displayed again. Without [!] this doesn't + work when jumping to another buffer, the current buffer + has been changed, there is the only window for the + buffer and both 'hidden' and 'autowrite' are off. + When jumping to another buffer with [!] any changes to + the current buffer are lost, unless 'hidden' is set or + there is another window for this buffer. + The 'switchbuf' settings are respected when jumping + to a buffer. + When used in the quickfix window the line number can + be used, including "." for the current line and "$" + for the last line. + + *:ll* +:ll[!] [nr] Same as ":cc", except the location list for the +:[nr]ll[!] current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + + *:cn* *:cne* *:cnext* *E553* +:[count]cn[ext][!] Display the [count] next error in the list that + includes a file name. If there are no file names at + all, go to the [count] next error. See |:cc| for + [!] and 'switchbuf'. + + *:lne* *:lnext* +:[count]lne[xt][!] Same as ":cnext", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + +:[count]cN[ext][!] *:cp* *:cprevious* *:cprev* *:cN* *:cNext* +:[count]cp[revious][!] Display the [count] previous error in the list that + includes a file name. If there are no file names at + all, go to the [count] previous error. See |:cc| for + [!] and 'switchbuf'. + + +:[count]lN[ext][!] *:lp* *:lprevious* *:lprev* *:lN* *:lNext* +:[count]lp[revious][!] Same as ":cNext" and ":cprevious", except the location + list for the current window is used instead of the + quickfix list. + + *:cabo* *:cabove* +:[count]cabo[ve] Go to the [count] error above the current line in the + current buffer. If [count] is omitted, then 1 is + used. If there are no errors, then an error message + is displayed. Assumes that the entries in a quickfix + list are sorted by their buffer number and line + number. If there are multiple errors on the same line, + then only the first entry is used. If [count] exceeds + the number of entries above the current line, then the + first error in the file is selected. + + *:lab* *:labove* +:[count]lab[ove] Same as ":cabove", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + + *:cbel* *:cbelow* +:[count]cbel[ow] Go to the [count] error below the current line in the + current buffer. If [count] is omitted, then 1 is + used. If there are no errors, then an error message + is displayed. Assumes that the entries in a quickfix + list are sorted by their buffer number and line + number. If there are multiple errors on the same + line, then only the first entry is used. If [count] + exceeds the number of entries below the current line, + then the last error in the file is selected. + + *:lbel* *:lbelow* +:[count]lbel[ow] Same as ":cbelow", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + + *:cbe* *:cbefore* +:[count]cbe[fore] Go to the [count] error before the current cursor + position in the current buffer. If [count] is + omitted, then 1 is used. If there are no errors, then + an error message is displayed. Assumes that the + entries in a quickfix list are sorted by their buffer, + line and column numbers. If [count] exceeds the + number of entries before the current position, then + the first error in the file is selected. + + *:lbe* *:lbefore* +:[count]lbe[fore] Same as ":cbefore", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + + *:caf* *:cafter* +:[count]caf[ter] Go to the [count] error after the current cursor + position in the current buffer. If [count] is + omitted, then 1 is used. If there are no errors, then + an error message is displayed. Assumes that the + entries in a quickfix list are sorted by their buffer, + line and column numbers. If [count] exceeds the + number of entries after the current position, then + the last error in the file is selected. + + *:laf* *:lafter* +:[count]laf[ter] Same as ":cafter", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + + *:cnf* *:cnfile* +:[count]cnf[ile][!] Display the first error in the [count] next file in + the list that includes a file name. If there are no + file names at all or if there is no next file, go to + the [count] next error. See |:cc| for [!] and + 'switchbuf'. + + *:lnf* *:lnfile* +:[count]lnf[ile][!] Same as ":cnfile", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + +:[count]cNf[ile][!] *:cpf* *:cpfile* *:cNf* *:cNfile* +:[count]cpf[ile][!] Display the last error in the [count] previous file in + the list that includes a file name. If there are no + file names at all or if there is no next file, go to + the [count] previous error. See |:cc| for [!] and + 'switchbuf'. + + +:[count]lNf[ile][!] *:lpf* *:lpfile* *:lNf* *:lNfile* +:[count]lpf[ile][!] Same as ":cNfile" and ":cpfile", except the location + list for the current window is used instead of the + quickfix list. + + *:crewind* *:cr* +:cr[ewind][!] [nr] Display error [nr]. If [nr] is omitted, the FIRST + error is displayed. See |:cc|. + + *:lrewind* *:lr* +:lr[ewind][!] [nr] Same as ":crewind", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + + *:cfirst* *:cfir* +:cfir[st][!] [nr] Same as ":crewind". + + *:lfirst* *:lfir* +:lfir[st][!] [nr] Same as ":lrewind". + + *:clast* *:cla* +:cla[st][!] [nr] Display error [nr]. If [nr] is omitted, the LAST + error is displayed. See |:cc|. + + *:llast* *:lla* +:lla[st][!] [nr] Same as ":clast", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + + *:cq* *:cquit* +:cq[uit][!] +:{N}cq[uit][!] +:cq[uit][!] {N} Quit Vim with error code {N}. {N} defaults to one. + Useful when Vim is called from another program: + e.g., a compiler will not compile the same file again, + `git commit` will abort the committing process, `fc` + (built-in for shells like bash and zsh) will not + execute the command, etc. + {N} can also be zero, in which case Vim exits + normally. + WARNING: All changes in files are lost! Also when the + [!] is not used. It works like ":qall!" |:qall|, + except that Vim returns a non-zero exit code. + + *:cf* *:cfile* +:cf[ile][!] [errorfile] Read the error file and jump to the first error. + This is done automatically when Vim is started with + the -q option. You can use this command when you + keep Vim running while compiling. If you give the + name of the errorfile, the 'errorfile' option will + be set to [errorfile]. See |:cc| for [!]. + If the encoding of the error file differs from the + 'encoding' option, you can use the 'makeencoding' + option to specify the encoding. + + *:lf* *:lfi* *:lfile* +:lf[ile][!] [errorfile] Same as ":cfile", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + You can not use the -q command-line option to set + the location list. + + +:cg[etfile] [errorfile] *:cg* *:cgetfile* + Read the error file. Just like ":cfile" but don't + jump to the first error. + If the encoding of the error file differs from the + 'encoding' option, you can use the 'makeencoding' + option to specify the encoding. + + +:lg[etfile] [errorfile] *:lg* *:lge* *:lgetfile* + Same as ":cgetfile", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + + *:caddf* *:caddfile* +:caddf[ile] [errorfile] Read the error file and add the errors from the + errorfile to the current quickfix list. If a quickfix + list is not present, then a new list is created. + If the encoding of the error file differs from the + 'encoding' option, you can use the 'makeencoding' + option to specify the encoding. + + *:laddf* *:laddfile* +:laddf[ile] [errorfile] Same as ":caddfile", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + + *:cb* *:cbuffer* *E681* +:cb[uffer][!] [bufnr] Read the error list from the current buffer. + When [bufnr] is given it must be the number of a + loaded buffer. That buffer will then be used instead + of the current buffer. + A range can be specified for the lines to be used. + Otherwise all lines in the buffer are used. + See |:cc| for [!]. + + *:lb* *:lbuffer* +:lb[uffer][!] [bufnr] Same as ":cbuffer", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + + *:cgetb* *:cgetbuffer* +:cgetb[uffer] [bufnr] Read the error list from the current buffer. Just + like ":cbuffer" but don't jump to the first error. + + *:lgetb* *:lgetbuffer* +:lgetb[uffer] [bufnr] Same as ":cgetbuffer", except the location list for + the current window is used instead of the quickfix + list. + + *:cad* *:cadd* *:caddbuffer* +:cad[dbuffer] [bufnr] Read the error list from the current buffer and add + the errors to the current quickfix list. If a + quickfix list is not present, then a new list is + created. Otherwise, same as ":cbuffer". + + *:laddb* *:laddbuffer* +:laddb[uffer] [bufnr] Same as ":caddbuffer", except the location list for + the current window is used instead of the quickfix + list. + + *:cex* *:cexpr* *E777* +:cex[pr][!] {expr} Create a quickfix list using the result of {expr} and + jump to the first error. + If {expr} is a String, then each newline terminated + line in the String is processed using the global value + of 'errorformat' and the result is added to the + quickfix list. + If {expr} is a List, then each String item in the list + is processed and added to the quickfix list. Non + String items in the List are ignored. + See |:cc| for [!]. + Examples: > + :cexpr system('grep -n xyz *') + :cexpr getline(1, '$') +< + *:lex* *:lexpr* +:lex[pr][!] {expr} Same as |:cexpr|, except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + + *:cgete* *:cgetexpr* +:cgete[xpr] {expr} Create a quickfix list using the result of {expr}. + Just like |:cexpr|, but don't jump to the first error. + + *:lgete* *:lgetexpr* +:lgete[xpr] {expr} Same as |:cgetexpr|, except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + + *:cadde* *:caddexpr* +:cadde[xpr] {expr} Evaluate {expr} and add the resulting lines to the + current quickfix list. If a quickfix list is not + present, then a new list is created. The current + cursor position will not be changed. See |:cexpr| for + more information. + Example: > + :g/mypattern/caddexpr expand("%") . ":" . line(".") . ":" . getline(".") +< + *:lad* *:addd* *:laddexpr* +:lad[dexpr] {expr} Same as ":caddexpr", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + + *:cl* *:clist* +:cl[ist] [from] [, [to]] + List all errors that are valid |quickfix-valid|. + If numbers [from] and/or [to] are given, the respective + range of errors is listed. A negative number counts + from the last error backwards, -1 being the last error. + The 'switchbuf' settings are respected when jumping + to a buffer. + The |:filter| command can be used to display only the + quickfix entries matching a supplied pattern. The + pattern is matched against the filename, module name, + pattern and text of the entry. + +:cl[ist] +{count} List the current and next {count} valid errors. This + is similar to ":clist from from+count", where "from" + is the current error position. + +:cl[ist]! [from] [, [to]] + List all errors. + +:cl[ist]! +{count} List the current and next {count} error lines. This + is useful to see unrecognized lines after the current + one. For example, if ":clist" shows: + 8384 testje.java:252: error: cannot find symbol ~ + Then using ":cl! +3" shows the reason: + 8384 testje.java:252: error: cannot find symbol ~ + 8385: ZexitCode = Fmainx(); ~ + 8386: ^ ~ + 8387: symbol: method Fmainx() ~ + +:lli[st] [from] [, [to]] *:lli* *:llist* + Same as ":clist", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + +:lli[st]! [from] [, [to]] + List all the entries in the location list for the + current window. + +If you insert or delete lines, mostly the correct error location is still +found because hidden marks are used. Sometimes, when the mark has been +deleted for some reason, the message "line changed" is shown to warn you that +the error location may not be correct. If you quit Vim and start again the +marks are lost and the error locations may not be correct anymore. + +Two autocommands are available for running commands before and after a +quickfix command (':make', ':grep' and so on) is executed. See +|QuickFixCmdPre| and |QuickFixCmdPost| for details. + + *QuickFixCmdPost-example* +When 'encoding' differs from the locale, the error messages may have a +different encoding from what Vim is using. To convert the messages you can +use this code: > + function QfMakeConv() + let qflist = getqflist() + for i in qflist + let i.text = iconv(i.text, "cp936", "utf-8") + endfor + call setqflist(qflist) + endfunction + + au QuickfixCmdPost make call QfMakeConv() +Another option is using 'makeencoding'. + + *quickfix-title* +Every quickfix and location list has a title. By default the title is set to +the command that created the list. The |getqflist()| and |getloclist()| +functions can be used to get the title of a quickfix and a location list +respectively. The |setqflist()| and |setloclist()| functions can be used to +modify the title of a quickfix and location list respectively. Examples: > + call setqflist([], 'a', {'title' : 'Cmd output'}) + echo getqflist({'title' : 1}) + call setloclist(3, [], 'a', {'title' : 'Cmd output'}) + echo getloclist(3, {'title' : 1}) +< + *quickfix-index* +When you jump to a quickfix/location list entry using any of the quickfix +commands (e.g. |:cc|, |:cnext|, |:cprev|, etc.), that entry becomes the +currently selected entry. The index of the currently selected entry in a +quickfix/location list can be obtained using the getqflist()/getloclist() +functions. Examples: > + echo getqflist({'idx' : 0}).idx + echo getqflist({'id' : qfid, 'idx' : 0}).idx + echo getloclist(2, {'idx' : 0}).idx +< +For a new quickfix list, the first entry is selected and the index is 1. Any +entry in any quickfix/location list can be set as the currently selected entry +using the setqflist() function. Examples: > + call setqflist([], 'a', {'idx' : 12}) + call setqflist([], 'a', {'id' : qfid, 'idx' : 7}) + call setloclist(1, [], 'a', {'idx' : 7}) +< + *quickfix-size* +You can get the number of entries (size) in a quickfix and a location list +using the |getqflist()| and |getloclist()| functions respectively. Examples: > + echo getqflist({'size' : 1}) + echo getloclist(5, {'size' : 1}) +< + *quickfix-context* +Any Vim type can be associated as a context with a quickfix or location list. +The |setqflist()| and the |setloclist()| functions can be used to associate a +context with a quickfix and a location list respectively. The |getqflist()| +and the |getloclist()| functions can be used to retrieve the context of a +quickfix and a location list respectively. This is useful for a Vim plugin +dealing with multiple quickfix/location lists. +Examples: > + + let somectx = {'name' : 'Vim', 'type' : 'Editor'} + call setqflist([], 'a', {'context' : somectx}) + echo getqflist({'context' : 1}) + + let newctx = ['red', 'green', 'blue'] + call setloclist(2, [], 'a', {'id' : qfid, 'context' : newctx}) + echo getloclist(2, {'id' : qfid, 'context' : 1}) +< + *quickfix-parse* +You can parse a list of lines using 'errorformat' without creating or +modifying a quickfix list using the |getqflist()| function. Examples: > + echo getqflist({'lines' : ["F1:10:Line10", "F2:20:Line20"]}) + echo getqflist({'lines' : systemlist('grep -Hn quickfix *')}) +This returns a dictionary where the 'items' key contains the list of quickfix +entries parsed from lines. The following shows how to use a custom +'errorformat' to parse the lines without modifying the 'errorformat' option: > + echo getqflist({'efm' : '%f#%l#%m', 'lines' : ['F1#10#Line']}) +< + +EXECUTE A COMMAND IN ALL THE BUFFERS IN QUICKFIX OR LOCATION LIST: + *:cdo* +:cdo[!] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in each valid entry in the quickfix list. + It works like doing this: > + :cfirst + :{cmd} + :cnext + :{cmd} + etc. +< When the current file can't be |abandon|ed and the [!] + is not present, the command fails. + When going to the next entry fails execution stops. + The last buffer (or where an error occurred) becomes + the current buffer. + {cmd} can contain '|' to concatenate several commands. + + Only valid entries in the quickfix list are used. + A range can be used to select entries, e.g.: > + :10,$cdo cmd +< To skip entries 1 to 9. + + Note: While this command is executing, the Syntax + autocommand event is disabled by adding it to + 'eventignore'. This considerably speeds up editing + each buffer. + Also see |:bufdo|, |:tabdo|, |:argdo|, |:windo|, + |:ldo|, |:cfdo| and |:lfdo|. + + *:cfdo* +:cfdo[!] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in each file in the quickfix list. + It works like doing this: > + :cfirst + :{cmd} + :cnfile + :{cmd} + etc. +< Otherwise it works the same as `:cdo`. + + *:ldo* +:ld[o][!] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in each valid entry in the location list + for the current window. + It works like doing this: > + :lfirst + :{cmd} + :lnext + :{cmd} + etc. +< Only valid entries in the location list are used. + Otherwise it works the same as `:cdo`. + + *:lfdo* +:lfdo[!] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in each file in the location list for + the current window. + It works like doing this: > + :lfirst + :{cmd} + :lnfile + :{cmd} + etc. +< Otherwise it works the same as `:ldo`. + +FILTERING A QUICKFIX OR LOCATION LIST: + *cfilter-plugin* *:Cfilter* *:Lfilter* +If you have too many entries in a quickfix list, you can use the cfilter +plugin to reduce the number of entries. Load the plugin with: > + + packadd cfilter + +Then you can use the following commands to filter a quickfix/location list: > + + :Cfilter[!] /{pat}/ + :Lfilter[!] /{pat}/ + +The |:Cfilter| command creates a new quickfix list from the entries matching +{pat} in the current quickfix list. {pat} is a Vim |regular-expression| +pattern. Both the file name and the text of the entries are matched against +{pat}. If the optional ! is supplied, then the entries not matching {pat} are +used. The pattern can be optionally enclosed using one of the following +characters: ', ", /. If the pattern is empty, then the last used search +pattern is used. + +The |:Lfilter| command does the same as |:Cfilter| but operates on the current +location list. + +============================================================================= +2. The error window *quickfix-window* + + *:cope* *:copen* *w:quickfix_title* +:cope[n] [height] Open a window to show the current list of errors. + + When [height] is given, the window becomes that high + (if there is room). When [height] is omitted the + window is made ten lines high. + + If there already is a quickfix window, it will be made + the current window. It is not possible to open a + second quickfix window. If [height] is given the + existing window will be resized to it. + + *quickfix-buffer* + The window will contain a special buffer, with + 'buftype' equal to "quickfix". Don't change this! + The window will have the w:quickfix_title variable set + which will indicate the command that produced the + quickfix list. This can be used to compose a custom + status line if the value of 'statusline' is adjusted + properly. Whenever this buffer is modified by a + quickfix command or function, the |b:changedtick| + variable is incremented. You can get the number of + this buffer using the getqflist() and getloclist() + functions by passing the 'qfbufnr' item. For a + location list, this buffer is wiped out when the + location list is removed. + + *:lop* *:lopen* +:lop[en] [height] Open a window to show the location list for the + current window. Works only when the location list for + the current window is present. You can have more than + one location window opened at a time. Otherwise, it + acts the same as ":copen". + + *:ccl* *:cclose* +:ccl[ose] Close the quickfix window. + + *:lcl* *:lclose* +:lcl[ose] Close the window showing the location list for the + current window. + + *:cw* *:cwindow* +:cw[indow] [height] Open the quickfix window when there are recognized + errors. If the window is already open and there are + no recognized errors, close the window. + + *:lw* *:lwindow* +:lw[indow] [height] Same as ":cwindow", except use the window showing the + location list for the current window. + + *:cbo* *:cbottom* +:cbo[ttom] Put the cursor in the last line of the quickfix window + and scroll to make it visible. This is useful for + when errors are added by an asynchronous callback. + Only call it once in a while if there are many + updates to avoid a lot of redrawing. + + *:lbo* *:lbottom* +:lbo[ttom] Same as ":cbottom", except use the window showing the + location list for the current window. + +Normally the quickfix window is at the bottom of the screen. If there are +vertical splits, it's at the bottom of the rightmost column of windows. To +make it always occupy the full width: > + :botright cwindow +You can move the window around with |window-moving| commands. +For example, to move it to the top: CTRL-W K +The 'winfixheight' option will be set, which means that the window will mostly +keep its height, ignoring 'winheight' and 'equalalways'. You can change the +height manually (e.g., by dragging the status line above it with the mouse). + +In the quickfix window, each line is one error. The line number is equal to +the error number. The current entry is highlighted with the QuickFixLine +highlighting. You can change it to your liking, e.g.: > + :hi QuickFixLine ctermbg=Yellow guibg=Yellow + +You can use ":.cc" to jump to the error under the cursor. +Hitting the <Enter> key or double-clicking the mouse on a line has the same +effect. The file containing the error is opened in the window above the +quickfix window. If there already is a window for that file, it is used +instead. If the buffer in the used window has changed, and the error is in +another file, jumping to the error will fail. You will first have to make +sure the window contains a buffer which can be abandoned. + *CTRL-W_<Enter>* *CTRL-W_<CR>* +You can use CTRL-W <Enter> to open a new window and jump to the error there. + +When the quickfix window has been filled, two autocommand events are +triggered. First the 'filetype' option is set to "qf", which triggers the +FileType event (also see |qf.vim|). Then the BufReadPost event is triggered, +using "quickfix" for the buffer name. This can be used to perform some action +on the listed errors. Example: > + au BufReadPost quickfix setlocal modifiable + \ | silent exe 'g/^/s//\=line(".")." "/' + \ | setlocal nomodifiable +This prepends the line number to each line. Note the use of "\=" in the +substitute string of the ":s" command, which is used to evaluate an +expression. +The BufWinEnter event is also triggered, again using "quickfix" for the buffer +name. + +Note: When adding to an existing quickfix list the autocommand are not +triggered. + +Note: Making changes in the quickfix window has no effect on the list of +errors. 'modifiable' is off to avoid making changes. If you delete or insert +lines anyway, the relation between the text and the error number is messed up. +If you really want to do this, you could write the contents of the quickfix +window to a file and use ":cfile" to have it parsed and used as the new error +list. + + *location-list-window* +The location list window displays the entries in a location list. When you +open a location list window, it is created below the current window and +displays the location list for the current window. The location list window +is similar to the quickfix window, except that you can have more than one +location list window open at a time. When you use a location list command in +this window, the displayed location list is used. + +When you select a file from the location list window, the following steps are +used to find a window to edit the file: + +1. If a window with the location list displayed in the location list window is + present, then the file is opened in that window. +2. If the above step fails and if the file is already opened in another + window, then that window is used. +3. If the above step fails then an existing window showing a buffer with + 'buftype' not set is used. +4. If the above step fails, then the file is edited in a new window. + +In all of the above cases, if the location list for the selected window is not +yet set, then it is set to the location list displayed in the location list +window. + + *quickfix-window-ID* +You can use the |getqflist()| and |getloclist()| functions to obtain the +window ID of the quickfix window and location list window respectively (if +present). Examples: > + echo getqflist({'winid' : 1}).winid + echo getloclist(2, {'winid' : 1}).winid +< + *getqflist-examples* +The |getqflist()| and |getloclist()| functions can be used to get the various +attributes of a quickfix and location list respectively. Some examples for +using these functions are below: +> + " get the title of the current quickfix list + :echo getqflist({'title' : 0}).title + + " get the identifier of the current quickfix list + :let qfid = getqflist({'id' : 0}).id + + " get the identifier of the fourth quickfix list in the stack + :let qfid = getqflist({'nr' : 4, 'id' : 0}).id + + " check whether a quickfix list with a specific identifier exists + :if getqflist({'id' : qfid}).id == qfid + + " get the index of the current quickfix list in the stack + :let qfnum = getqflist({'nr' : 0}).nr + + " get the items of a quickfix list specified by an identifier + :echo getqflist({'id' : qfid, 'items' : 0}).items + + " get the number of entries in a quickfix list specified by an id + :echo getqflist({'id' : qfid, 'size' : 0}).size + + " get the context of the third quickfix list in the stack + :echo getqflist({'nr' : 3, 'context' : 0}).context + + " get the number of quickfix lists in the stack + :echo getqflist({'nr' : '$'}).nr + + " get the number of times the current quickfix list is changed + :echo getqflist({'changedtick' : 0}).changedtick + + " get the current entry in a quickfix list specified by an identifier + :echo getqflist({'id' : qfid, 'idx' : 0}).idx + + " get all the quickfix list attributes using an identifier + :echo getqflist({'id' : qfid, 'all' : 0}) + + " parse text from a List of lines and return a quickfix list + :let myList = ["a.java:10:L10", "b.java:20:L20"] + :echo getqflist({'lines' : myList}).items + + " parse text using a custom 'efm' and return a quickfix list + :echo getqflist({'lines' : ['a.c#10#Line 10'], 'efm':'%f#%l#%m'}).items + + " get the quickfix list window id + :echo getqflist({'winid' : 0}).winid + + " get the quickfix list window buffer number + :echo getqflist({'qfbufnr' : 0}).qfbufnr + + " get the context of the current location list + :echo getloclist(0, {'context' : 0}).context + + " get the location list window id of the third window + :echo getloclist(3, {'winid' : 0}).winid + + " get the location list window buffer number of the third window + :echo getloclist(3, {'qfbufnr' : 0}).qfbufnr + + " get the file window id of a location list window (winnr: 4) + :echo getloclist(4, {'filewinid' : 0}).filewinid +< + *setqflist-examples* +The |setqflist()| and |setloclist()| functions can be used to set the various +attributes of a quickfix and location list respectively. Some examples for +using these functions are below: +> + " create an empty quickfix list with a title and a context + :let t = 'Search results' + :let c = {'cmd' : 'grep'} + :call setqflist([], ' ', {'title' : t, 'context' : c}) + + " set the title of the current quickfix list + :call setqflist([], 'a', {'title' : 'Mytitle'}) + + " change the current entry in the list specified by an identifier + :call setqflist([], 'a', {'id' : qfid, 'idx' : 10}) + + " set the context of a quickfix list specified by an identifier + :call setqflist([], 'a', {'id' : qfid, 'context' : {'val' : 100}}) + + " create a new quickfix list from a command output + :call setqflist([], ' ', {'lines' : systemlist('grep -Hn main *.c')}) + + " parse text using a custom efm and add to a particular quickfix list + :call setqflist([], 'a', {'id' : qfid, + \ 'lines' : ["a.c#10#L10", "b.c#20#L20"], 'efm':'%f#%l#%m'}) + + " add items to the quickfix list specified by an identifier + :let newItems = [{'filename' : 'a.txt', 'lnum' : 10, 'text' : "Apple"}, + \ {'filename' : 'b.txt', 'lnum' : 20, 'text' : "Orange"}] + :call setqflist([], 'a', {'id' : qfid, 'items' : newItems}) + + " empty a quickfix list specified by an identifier + :call setqflist([], 'r', {'id' : qfid, 'items' : []}) + + " free all the quickfix lists in the stack + :call setqflist([], 'f') + + " set the title of the fourth quickfix list + :call setqflist([], 'a', {'nr' : 4, 'title' : 'SomeTitle'}) + + " create a new quickfix list at the end of the stack + :call setqflist([], ' ', {'nr' : '$', + \ 'lines' : systemlist('grep -Hn class *.java')}) + + " create a new location list from a command output + :call setloclist(0, [], ' ', {'lines' : systemlist('grep -Hn main *.c')}) + + " replace the location list entries for the third window + :call setloclist(3, [], 'r', {'items' : newItems}) +< +============================================================================= +3. Using more than one list of errors *quickfix-error-lists* + +So far has been assumed that there is only one list of errors. Actually the +ten last used lists are remembered. When starting a new list, the previous +ones are automatically kept. Two commands can be used to access older error +lists. They set one of the existing error lists as the current one. + + *:colder* *:col* *E380* +:col[der] [count] Go to older error list. When [count] is given, do + this [count] times. When already at the oldest error + list, an error message is given. + + *:lolder* *:lol* +:lol[der] [count] Same as `:colder`, except use the location list for + the current window instead of the quickfix list. + + *:cnewer* *:cnew* *E381* +:cnew[er] [count] Go to newer error list. When [count] is given, do + this [count] times. When already at the newest error + list, an error message is given. + + *:lnewer* *:lnew* +:lnew[er] [count] Same as `:cnewer`, except use the location list for + the current window instead of the quickfix list. + + *:chistory* *:chi* +:[count]chi[story] Show the list of error lists. The current list is + marked with ">". The output looks like: + error list 1 of 3; 43 errors ~ + > error list 2 of 3; 0 errors ~ + error list 3 of 3; 15 errors ~ + + When [count] is given, then the count'th quickfix + list is made the current list. Example: > + " Make the 4th quickfix list current + :4chistory +< + *:lhistory* *:lhi* +:[count]lhi[story] Show the list of location lists, otherwise like + `:chistory`. + +When adding a new error list, it becomes the current list. + +When ":colder" has been used and ":make" or ":grep" is used to add a new error +list, one newer list is overwritten. This is especially useful if you are +browsing with ":grep" |grep|. If you want to keep the more recent error +lists, use ":cnewer 99" first. + +To get the number of lists in the quickfix and location list stack, you can +use the |getqflist()| and |getloclist()| functions respectively with the list +number set to the special value '$'. Examples: > + echo getqflist({'nr' : '$'}).nr + echo getloclist(3, {'nr' : '$'}).nr +To get the number of the current list in the stack: > + echo getqflist({'nr' : 0}).nr +< +============================================================================= +4. Using :make *:make_makeprg* + + *:mak* *:make* +:mak[e][!] [arguments] 1. All relevant |QuickFixCmdPre| autocommands are + executed. + 2. If the 'autowrite' option is on, write any changed + buffers + 3. An errorfile name is made from 'makeef'. If + 'makeef' doesn't contain "##", and a file with this + name already exists, it is deleted. + 4. The program given with the 'makeprg' option is + started (default "make") with the optional + [arguments] and the output is saved in the + errorfile (for Unix it is also echoed on the + screen). + 5. The errorfile is read using 'errorformat'. + 6. All relevant |QuickFixCmdPost| autocommands are + executed. See example below. + 7. If [!] is not given the first error is jumped to. + 8. The errorfile is deleted. + 9. You can now move through the errors with commands + like |:cnext| and |:cprevious|, see above. + This command does not accept a comment, any " + characters are considered part of the arguments. + If the encoding of the program output differs from the + 'encoding' option, you can use the 'makeencoding' + option to specify the encoding. + + *:lmak* *:lmake* +:lmak[e][!] [arguments] + Same as ":make", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + +The ":make" command executes the command given with the 'makeprg' option. +This is done by passing the command to the shell given with the 'shell' +option. This works almost like typing + + ":!{makeprg} [arguments] {shellpipe} {errorfile}". + +{makeprg} is the string given with the 'makeprg' option. Any command can be +used, not just "make". Characters '%' and '#' are expanded as usual on a +command-line. You can use "%<" to insert the current file name without +extension, or "#<" to insert the alternate file name without extension, for +example: > + :set makeprg=make\ #<.o + +[arguments] is anything that is typed after ":make". +{shellpipe} is the 'shellpipe' option. +{errorfile} is the 'makeef' option, with ## replaced to make it unique. + +The placeholder "$*" can be used for the argument list in {makeprg} if the +command needs some additional characters after its arguments. The $* is +replaced then by all arguments. Example: > + :set makeprg=latex\ \\\\nonstopmode\ \\\\input\\{$*} +or simpler > + :let &mp = 'latex \\nonstopmode \\input\{$*}' +"$*" can be given multiple times, for example: > + :set makeprg=gcc\ -o\ $*\ $* + +The 'shellpipe' option defaults to ">" for the Amiga and ">%s 2>&1" for Win32. +This means that the output of the compiler is saved in a file and not shown on +the screen directly. For Unix "| tee" is used. The compiler output is shown +on the screen and saved in a file the same time. Depending on the shell used +"|& tee" or "2>&1| tee" is the default, so stderr output will be included. + +If 'shellpipe' is empty, the {errorfile} part will be omitted. This is useful +for compilers that write to an errorfile themselves (e.g., Manx's Amiga C). + + +Using QuickFixCmdPost to fix the encoding ~ + +It may be that 'encoding' is set to an encoding that differs from the messages +your build program produces. This example shows how to fix this after Vim has +read the error messages: > + + function QfMakeConv() + let qflist = getqflist() + for i in qflist + let i.text = iconv(i.text, "cp936", "utf-8") + endfor + call setqflist(qflist) + endfunction + + au QuickfixCmdPost make call QfMakeConv() + +(Example by Faque Cheng) +Another option is using 'makeencoding'. + +============================================================================== +5. Using :vimgrep and :grep *grep* *lid* + +Vim has two ways to find matches for a pattern: Internal and external. The +advantage of the internal grep is that it works on all systems and uses the +powerful Vim search patterns. An external grep program can be used when the +Vim grep does not do what you want. + +The internal method will be slower, because files are read into memory. The +advantages are: +- Line separators and encoding are automatically recognized, as if a file is + being edited. +- Uses Vim search patterns. Multi-line patterns can be used. +- When plugins are enabled: compressed and remote files can be searched. + |gzip| |netrw| + +To be able to do this Vim loads each file as if it is being edited. When +there is no match in the file the associated buffer is wiped out again. The +'hidden' option is ignored here to avoid running out of memory or file +descriptors when searching many files. However, when the |:hide| command +modifier is used the buffers are kept loaded. This makes following searches +in the same files a lot faster. + +Note that |:copen| (or |:lopen| for |:lgrep|) may be used to open a buffer +containing the search results in linked form. The |:silent| command may be +used to suppress the default full screen grep output. The ":grep!" form of +the |:grep| command doesn't jump to the first match automatically. These +commands can be combined to create a NewGrep command: > + + command! -nargs=+ NewGrep execute 'silent grep! <args>' | copen 42 + + +5.1 using Vim's internal grep + + *:vim* *:vimgrep* *E682* *E683* +:vim[grep][!] /{pattern}/[g][j] {file} ... + Search for {pattern} in the files {file} ... and set + the error list to the matches. Files matching + 'wildignore' are ignored; files in 'suffixes' are + searched last. + Without the 'g' flag each line is added only once. + With 'g' every match is added. + + {pattern} is a Vim search pattern. Instead of + enclosing it in / any non-ID character (see + |'isident'|) can be used, so long as it does not + appear in {pattern}. + 'ignorecase' applies. To overrule it put |/\c| in the + pattern to ignore case or |/\C| to match case. + 'smartcase' is not used. + If {pattern} is empty (e.g. // is specified), the last + used search pattern is used. |last-pattern| +:{count}vim[grep] ... + When a number is put before the command this is used + as the maximum number of matches to find. Use + ":1vimgrep pattern file" to find only the first. + Useful if you only want to check if there is a match + and quit quickly when it's found. + + Without the 'j' flag Vim jumps to the first match. + With 'j' only the quickfix list is updated. + With the [!] any changes in the current buffer are + abandoned. + + Every second or so the searched file name is displayed + to give you an idea of the progress made. + Examples: > + :vimgrep /an error/ *.c + :vimgrep /\<FileName\>/ *.h include/* + :vimgrep /myfunc/ **/*.c +< For the use of "**" see |starstar-wildcard|. + +:vim[grep][!] {pattern} {file} ... + Like above, but instead of enclosing the pattern in a + non-ID character use a white-separated pattern. The + pattern must start with an ID character. + Example: > + :vimgrep Error *.c +< + *:lv* *:lvimgrep* +:lv[imgrep][!] /{pattern}/[g][j] {file} ... +:lv[imgrep][!] {pattern} {file} ... + Same as ":vimgrep", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + + *:vimgrepa* *:vimgrepadd* +:vimgrepa[dd][!] /{pattern}/[g][j] {file} ... +:vimgrepa[dd][!] {pattern} {file} ... + Just like ":vimgrep", but instead of making a new list + of errors the matches are appended to the current + list. + + *:lvimgrepa* *:lvimgrepadd* +:lvimgrepa[dd][!] /{pattern}/[g][j] {file} ... +:lvimgrepa[dd][!] {pattern} {file} ... + Same as ":vimgrepadd", except the location list for + the current window is used instead of the quickfix + list. + +5.2 External grep + +Vim can interface with "grep" and grep-like programs (such as the GNU +id-utils) in a similar way to its compiler integration (see |:make| above). + +[Unix trivia: The name for the Unix "grep" command comes from ":g/re/p", where +"re" stands for Regular Expression.] + + *:gr* *:grep* +:gr[ep][!] [arguments] Just like ":make", but use 'grepprg' instead of + 'makeprg' and 'grepformat' instead of 'errorformat'. + When 'grepprg' is "internal" this works like + |:vimgrep|. Note that the pattern needs to be + enclosed in separator characters then. + If the encoding of the program output differs from the + 'encoding' option, you can use the 'makeencoding' + option to specify the encoding. + + *:lgr* *:lgrep* +:lgr[ep][!] [arguments] Same as ":grep", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + + *:grepa* *:grepadd* +:grepa[dd][!] [arguments] + Just like ":grep", but instead of making a new list of + errors the matches are appended to the current list. + Example: > + :call setqflist([]) + :bufdo grepadd! something % +< The first command makes a new error list which is + empty. The second command executes "grepadd" for each + listed buffer. Note the use of ! to avoid that + ":grepadd" jumps to the first error, which is not + allowed with |:bufdo|. + An example that uses the argument list and avoids + errors for files without matches: > + :silent argdo try + \ | grepadd! something % + \ | catch /E480:/ + \ | endtry" +< + If the encoding of the program output differs from the + 'encoding' option, you can use the 'makeencoding' + option to specify the encoding. + + *:lgrepa* *:lgrepadd* +:lgrepa[dd][!] [arguments] + Same as ":grepadd", except the location list for the + current window is used instead of the quickfix list. + +5.3 Setting up external grep + +If you have a standard "grep" program installed, the :grep command may work +well with the defaults. The syntax is very similar to the standard command: > + + :grep foo *.c + +Will search all files with the .c extension for the substring "foo". The +arguments to :grep are passed straight to the "grep" program, so you can use +whatever options your "grep" supports. + +By default, :grep invokes grep with the -n option (show file and line +numbers). You can change this with the 'grepprg' option. You will need to set +'grepprg' if: + +a) You are using a program that isn't called "grep" +b) You have to call grep with a full path +c) You want to pass other options automatically (e.g. case insensitive + search.) + +Once "grep" has executed, Vim parses the results using the 'grepformat' +option. This option works in the same way as the 'errorformat' option - see +that for details. You may need to change 'grepformat' from the default if +your grep outputs in a non-standard format, or you are using some other +program with a special format. + +Once the results are parsed, Vim loads the first file containing a match and +jumps to the appropriate line, in the same way that it jumps to a compiler +error in |quickfix| mode. You can then use the |:cnext|, |:clist|, etc. +commands to see the other matches. + + +5.4 Using :grep with id-utils + +You can set up :grep to work with the GNU id-utils like this: > + + :set grepprg=lid\ -Rgrep\ -s + :set grepformat=%f:%l:%m + +then > + :grep (regexp) + +works just as you'd expect. +(provided you remembered to mkid first :) + + +5.5 Browsing source code with :vimgrep or :grep + +Using the stack of error lists that Vim keeps, you can browse your files to +look for functions and the functions they call. For example, suppose that you +have to add an argument to the read_file() function. You enter this command: > + + :vimgrep /\<read_file\>/ *.c + +You use ":cn" to go along the list of matches and add the argument. At one +place you have to get the new argument from a higher level function msg(), and +need to change that one too. Thus you use: > + + :vimgrep /\<msg\>/ *.c + +While changing the msg() functions, you find another function that needs to +get the argument from a higher level. You can again use ":vimgrep" to find +these functions. Once you are finished with one function, you can use > + + :colder + +to go back to the previous one. + +This works like browsing a tree: ":vimgrep" goes one level deeper, creating a +list of branches. ":colder" goes back to the previous level. You can mix +this use of ":vimgrep" and "colder" to browse all the locations in a tree-like +way. If you do this consistently, you will find all locations without the +need to write down a "todo" list. + +============================================================================= +6. Selecting a compiler *compiler-select* + + *:comp* *:compiler* *E666* +:comp[iler][!] {name} Set options to work with compiler {name}. + Without the "!" options are set for the + current buffer. With "!" global options are + set. + If you use ":compiler foo" in "file.foo" and + then ":compiler! bar" in another buffer, Vim + will keep on using "foo" in "file.foo". + {not available when compiled without the + |+eval| feature} + + +The Vim plugins in the "compiler" directory will set options to use the +selected compiler. For `:compiler` local options are set, for `:compiler!` +global options. + *current_compiler* +To support older Vim versions, the plugins always use "current_compiler" and +not "b:current_compiler". What the command actually does is the following: + +- Delete the "current_compiler" and "b:current_compiler" variables. +- Define the "CompilerSet" user command. With "!" it does ":set", without "!" + it does ":setlocal". +- Execute ":runtime! compiler/{name}.vim". The plugins are expected to set + options with "CompilerSet" and set the "current_compiler" variable to the + name of the compiler. +- Delete the "CompilerSet" user command. +- Set "b:current_compiler" to the value of "current_compiler". +- Without "!" the old value of "current_compiler" is restored. + + +For writing a compiler plugin, see |write-compiler-plugin|. + + +GCC *quickfix-gcc* *compiler-gcc* + +There's one variable you can set for the GCC compiler: + +g:compiler_gcc_ignore_unmatched_lines + Ignore lines that don't match any patterns + defined for GCC. Useful if output from + commands run from make are generating false + positives. + + +MANX AZTEC C *quickfix-manx* *compiler-manx* + +To use Vim with Manx's Aztec C compiler on the Amiga you should do the +following: +- Set the CCEDIT environment variable with the command: > + mset "CCEDIT=vim -q" +- Compile with the -qf option. If the compiler finds any errors, Vim is + started and the cursor is positioned on the first error. The error message + will be displayed on the last line. You can go to other errors with the + commands mentioned above. You can fix the errors and write the file(s). +- If you exit Vim normally the compiler will re-compile the same file. If you + exit with the :cq command, the compiler will terminate. Do this if you + cannot fix the error, or if another file needs to be compiled first. + +There are some restrictions to the Quickfix mode on the Amiga. The +compiler only writes the first 25 errors to the errorfile (Manx's +documentation does not say how to get more). If you want to find the others, +you will have to fix a few errors and exit the editor. After recompiling, +up to 25 remaining errors will be found. + +If Vim was started from the compiler, the :sh and some :! commands will not +work, because Vim is then running in the same process as the compiler and +stdin (standard input) will not be interactive. + + +PERL *quickfix-perl* *compiler-perl* + +The Perl compiler plugin doesn't actually compile, but invokes Perl's internal +syntax checking feature and parses the output for possible errors so you can +correct them in quick-fix mode. + +Warnings are forced regardless of "no warnings" or "$^W = 0" within the file +being checked. To disable this set g:perl_compiler_force_warnings to a zero +value. For example: > + let g:perl_compiler_force_warnings = 0 + + +PYUNIT COMPILER *compiler-pyunit* + +This is not actually a compiler, but a unit testing framework for the +Python language. It is included into standard Python distribution +starting from version 2.0. For older versions, you can get it from +http://pyunit.sourceforge.net. + +When you run your tests with the help of the framework, possible errors +are parsed by Vim and presented for you in quick-fix mode. + +Unfortunately, there is no standard way to run the tests. +The alltests.py script seems to be used quite often, that's all. +Useful values for the 'makeprg' options therefore are: + setlocal makeprg=./alltests.py " Run a testsuite + setlocal makeprg=python\ %:S " Run a single testcase + +Also see http://vim.sourceforge.net/tip_view.php?tip_id=280. + + +TEX COMPILER *compiler-tex* + +Included in the distribution compiler for TeX ($VIMRUNTIME/compiler/tex.vim) +uses make command if possible. If the compiler finds a file named "Makefile" +or "makefile" in the current directory, it supposes that you want to process +your *TeX files with make, and the makefile does the right work. In this case +compiler sets 'errorformat' for *TeX output and leaves 'makeprg' untouched. If +neither "Makefile" nor "makefile" is found, the compiler will not use make. +You can force the compiler to ignore makefiles by defining +b:tex_ignore_makefile or g:tex_ignore_makefile variable (they are checked for +existence only). + +If the compiler chose not to use make, it needs to choose a right program for +processing your input. If b:tex_flavor or g:tex_flavor (in this precedence) +variable exists, it defines TeX flavor for :make (actually, this is the name +of executed command), and if both variables do not exist, it defaults to +"latex". For example, while editing chapter2.tex \input-ed from mypaper.tex +written in AMS-TeX: > + + :let b:tex_flavor = 'amstex' + :compiler tex +< [editing...] > + :make mypaper + +Note that you must specify a name of the file to process as an argument (to +process the right file when editing \input-ed or \include-ed file; portable +solution for substituting % for no arguments is welcome). This is not in the +semantics of make, where you specify a target, not source, but you may specify +filename without extension ".tex" and mean this as "make filename.dvi or +filename.pdf or filename.some_result_extension according to compiler". + +Note: tex command line syntax is set to usable both for MikTeX (suggestion +by Srinath Avadhanula) and teTeX (checked by Artem Chuprina). Suggestion +from |errorformat-LaTeX| is too complex to keep it working for different +shells and OSes and also does not allow to use other available TeX options, +if any. If your TeX doesn't support "-interaction=nonstopmode", please +report it with different means to express \nonstopmode from the command line. + +============================================================================= +7. The error format *error-file-format* + + *errorformat* *E372* *E373* *E374* + *E375* *E376* *E377* *E378* +The 'errorformat' option specifies a list of formats that are recognized. The +first format that matches with an error message is used. You can add several +formats for different messages your compiler produces, or even entries for +multiple compilers. See |efm-entries|. + +Each entry in 'errorformat' is a scanf-like string that describes the format. +First, you need to know how scanf works. Look in the documentation of your +C compiler. Below you find the % items that Vim understands. Others are +invalid. + +Special characters in 'errorformat' are comma and backslash. See +|efm-entries| for how to deal with them. Note that a literal "%" is matched +by "%%", thus it is not escaped with a backslash. +Keep in mind that in the `:make` and `:grep` output all NUL characters are +replaced with SOH (0x01). + +Note: By default the difference between upper and lowercase is ignored. If +you want to match case, add "\C" to the pattern |/\C|. + +Vim will read lines of any length, but only the first 4095 bytes are used, the +rest is ignored. Items can only be 1023 bytes long. + + +Basic items + + %f file name (finds a string) + %o module name (finds a string) + %l line number (finds a number) + %c column number (finds a number representing character + column of the error, (1 <tab> == 1 character column)) + %v virtual column number (finds a number representing + screen column of the error (1 <tab> == 8 screen + columns)) + %t error type (finds a single character): + e - error message + w - warning message + i - info message + n - note message + %n error number (finds a number) + %m error message (finds a string) + %r matches the "rest" of a single-line file message %O/P/Q + %p pointer line (finds a sequence of '-', '.', ' ' or + tabs and uses the length for the column number) + %*{conv} any scanf non-assignable conversion + %% the single '%' character + %s search text (finds a string) + +The "%f" conversion may depend on the current 'isfname' setting. "~/" is +expanded to the home directory and environment variables are expanded. + +The "%f" and "%m" conversions have to detect the end of the string. This +normally happens by matching following characters and items. When nothing is +following the rest of the line is matched. If "%f" is followed by a '%' or a +backslash, it will look for a sequence of 'isfname' characters. + +On MS-Windows a leading "C:" will be included in "%f", even when using "%f:". +This means that a file name which is a single alphabetical letter will not be +detected. + +The "%p" conversion is normally followed by a "^". It's used for compilers +that output a line like: > + ^ +or > + ---------^ +to indicate the column of the error. This is to be used in a multi-line error +message. See |errorformat-javac| for a useful example. + +The "%s" conversion specifies the text to search for, to locate the error line. +The text is used as a literal string. The anchors "^" and "$" are added to +the text to locate the error line exactly matching the search text and the +text is prefixed with the "\V" atom to make it "very nomagic". The "%s" +conversion can be used to locate lines without a line number in the error +output. Like the output of the "grep" shell command. +When the pattern is present the line number will not be used. + +The "%o" conversion specifies the module name in quickfix entry. If present +it will be used in quickfix error window instead of the filename. The module +name is used only for displaying purposes, the file name is used when jumping +to the file. + +Changing directory + +The following uppercase conversion characters specify the type of special +format strings. At most one of them may be given as a prefix at the beginning +of a single comma-separated format pattern. +Some compilers produce messages that consist of directory names that have to +be prepended to each file name read by %f (example: GNU make). The following +codes can be used to scan these directory names; they will be stored in an +internal directory stack. *E379* + %D "enter directory" format string; expects a following + %f that finds the directory name + %X "leave directory" format string; expects following %f + +When defining an "enter directory" or "leave directory" format, the "%D" or +"%X" has to be given at the start of that substring. Vim tracks the directory +changes and prepends the current directory to each erroneous file found with a +relative path. See |quickfix-directory-stack| for details, tips and +limitations. + + +Multi-line messages *errorformat-multi-line* + +It is possible to read the output of programs that produce multi-line +messages, i.e. error strings that consume more than one line. Possible +prefixes are: + %E start of a multi-line error message + %W start of a multi-line warning message + %I start of a multi-line informational message + %N start of a multi-line note message + %A start of a multi-line message (unspecified type) + %> for next line start with current pattern again |efm-%>| + %C continuation of a multi-line message + %Z end of a multi-line message +These can be used with '+' and '-', see |efm-ignore| below. + +Using "\n" in the pattern won't work to match multi-line messages. + +Example: Your compiler happens to write out errors in the following format +(leading line numbers not being part of the actual output): + + 1 Error 275 ~ + 2 line 42 ~ + 3 column 3 ~ + 4 ' ' expected after '--' ~ + +The appropriate error format string has to look like this: > + :set efm=%EError\ %n,%Cline\ %l,%Ccolumn\ %c,%Z%m + +And the |:clist| error message generated for this error is: + + 1:42 col 3 error 275: ' ' expected after '--' + +Another example: Think of a Python interpreter that produces the following +error message (line numbers are not part of the actual output): + + 1 ============================================================== + 2 FAIL: testGetTypeIdCachesResult (dbfacadeTest.DjsDBFacadeTest) + 3 -------------------------------------------------------------- + 4 Traceback (most recent call last): + 5 File "unittests/dbfacadeTest.py", line 89, in testFoo + 6 self.assertEquals(34, dtid) + 7 File "/usr/lib/python2.2/unittest.py", line 286, in + 8 failUnlessEqual + 9 raise self.failureException, \ + 10 AssertionError: 34 != 33 + 11 + 12 -------------------------------------------------------------- + 13 Ran 27 tests in 0.063s + +Say you want |:clist| write the relevant information of this message only, +namely: + 5 unittests/dbfacadeTest.py:89: AssertionError: 34 != 33 + +Then the error format string could be defined as follows: > + :set efm=%C\ %.%#,%A\ \ File\ \"%f\"\\,\ line\ %l%.%#,%Z%[%^\ ]%\\@=%m + +Note that the %C string is given before the %A here: since the expression +' %.%#' (which stands for the regular expression ' .*') matches every line +starting with a space, followed by any characters to the end of the line, +it also hides line 7 which would trigger a separate error message otherwise. +Error format strings are always parsed pattern by pattern until the first +match occurs. + *efm-%>* +The %> item can be used to avoid trying patterns that appear earlier in +'errorformat'. This is useful for patterns that match just about anything. +For example, if the error looks like this: + + Error in line 123 of foo.c: ~ + unknown variable "i" ~ + +This can be found with: > + :set efm=xxx,%E%>Error in line %l of %f:,%Z%m +Where "xxx" has a pattern that would also match the second line. + +Important: There is no memory of what part of the errorformat matched before; +every line in the error file gets a complete new run through the error format +lines. For example, if one has: > + setlocal efm=aa,bb,cc,dd,ee +Where aa, bb, etc. are error format strings. Each line of the error file will +be matched to the pattern aa, then bb, then cc, etc. Just because cc matched +the previous error line does _not_ mean that dd will be tried first on the +current line, even if cc and dd are multi-line errorformat strings. + + + +Separate file name *errorformat-separate-filename* + +These prefixes are useful if the file name is given once and multiple messages +follow that refer to this file name. + %O single-line file message: overread the matched part + %P single-line file message: push file %f onto the stack + %Q single-line file message: pop the last file from stack + +Example: Given a compiler that produces the following error logfile (without +leading line numbers): + + 1 [a1.tt] + 2 (1,17) error: ';' missing + 3 (21,2) warning: variable 'z' not defined + 4 (67,3) error: end of file found before string ended + 5 + 6 [a2.tt] + 7 + 8 [a3.tt] + 9 NEW compiler v1.1 + 10 (2,2) warning: variable 'x' not defined + 11 (67,3) warning: 's' already defined + +This logfile lists several messages for each file enclosed in [...] which are +properly parsed by an error format like this: > + :set efm=%+P[%f],(%l\\,%c)%*[\ ]%t%*[^:]:\ %m,%-Q + +A call of |:clist| writes them accordingly with their correct filenames: + + 2 a1.tt:1 col 17 error: ';' missing + 3 a1.tt:21 col 2 warning: variable 'z' not defined + 4 a1.tt:67 col 3 error: end of file found before string ended + 8 a3.tt:2 col 2 warning: variable 'x' not defined + 9 a3.tt:67 col 3 warning: 's' already defined + +Unlike the other prefixes that all match against whole lines, %P, %Q and %O +can be used to match several patterns in the same line. Thus it is possible +to parse even nested files like in the following line: + {"file1" {"file2" error1} error2 {"file3" error3 {"file4" error4 error5}}} +The %O then parses over strings that do not contain any push/pop file name +information. See |errorformat-LaTeX| for an extended example. + + +Ignoring and using whole messages *efm-ignore* + +The codes '+' or '-' can be combined with the uppercase codes above; in that +case they have to precede the letter, e.g. '%+A' or '%-G': + %- do not include the matching multi-line in any output + %+ include the whole matching line in the %m error string + +One prefix is only useful in combination with '+' or '-', namely %G. It parses +over lines containing general information like compiler version strings or +other headers that can be skipped. + %-G ignore this message + %+G general message + + +Pattern matching + +The scanf()-like "%*[]" notation is supported for backward-compatibility +with previous versions of Vim. However, it is also possible to specify +(nearly) any Vim supported regular expression in format strings. +Since meta characters of the regular expression language can be part of +ordinary matching strings or file names (and therefore internally have to +be escaped), meta symbols have to be written with leading '%': + %\ The single '\' character. Note that this has to be + escaped ("%\\") in ":set errorformat=" definitions. + %. The single '.' character. + %# The single '*'(!) character. + %^ The single '^' character. Note that this is not + useful, the pattern already matches start of line. + %$ The single '$' character. Note that this is not + useful, the pattern already matches end of line. + %[ The single '[' character for a [] character range. + %~ The single '~' character. +When using character classes in expressions (see |/\i| for an overview), +terms containing the "\+" quantifier can be written in the scanf() "%*" +notation. Example: "%\\d%\\+" ("\d\+", "any number") is equivalent to "%*\\d". +Important note: The \(...\) grouping of sub-matches can not be used in format +specifications because it is reserved for internal conversions. + + +Multiple entries in 'errorformat' *efm-entries* + +To be able to detect output from several compilers, several format patterns +may be put in 'errorformat', separated by commas (note: blanks after the comma +are ignored). The first pattern that has a complete match is used. If no +match is found, matching parts from the last one will be used, although the +file name is removed and the error message is set to the whole message. If +there is a pattern that may match output from several compilers (but not in a +right way), put it after one that is more restrictive. + +To include a comma in a pattern precede it with a backslash (you have to type +two in a ":set" command). To include a backslash itself give two backslashes +(you have to type four in a ":set" command). You also need to put a backslash +before a space for ":set". + + +Valid matches *quickfix-valid* + +If a line does not completely match one of the entries in 'errorformat', the +whole line is put in the error message and the entry is marked "not valid" +These lines are skipped with the ":cn" and ":cp" commands (unless there is +no valid line at all). You can use ":cl!" to display all the error messages. + +If the error format does not contain a file name Vim cannot switch to the +correct file. You will have to do this by hand. + + +Examples + +The format of the file from the Amiga Aztec compiler is: + + filename>linenumber:columnnumber:errortype:errornumber:errormessage + + filename name of the file in which the error was detected + linenumber line number where the error was detected + columnnumber column number where the error was detected + errortype type of the error, normally a single 'E' or 'W' + errornumber number of the error (for lookup in the manual) + errormessage description of the error + +This can be matched with this 'errorformat' entry: + %f>%l:%c:%t:%n:%m + +Some examples for C compilers that produce single-line error outputs: +%f:%l:\ %t%*[^0123456789]%n:\ %m for Manx/Aztec C error messages + (scanf() doesn't understand [0-9]) +%f\ %l\ %t%*[^0-9]%n:\ %m for SAS C +\"%f\"\\,%*[^0-9]%l:\ %m for generic C compilers +%f:%l:\ %m for GCC +%f:%l:\ %m,%Dgmake[%*\\d]:\ Entering\ directory\ `%f', +%Dgmake[%*\\d]:\ Leaving\ directory\ `%f' + for GCC with gmake (concat the lines!) +%f(%l)\ :\ %*[^:]:\ %m old SCO C compiler (pre-OS5) +%f(%l)\ :\ %t%*[^0-9]%n:\ %m idem, with error type and number +%f:%l:\ %m,In\ file\ included\ from\ %f:%l:,\^I\^Ifrom\ %f:%l%m + for GCC, with some extras + +Extended examples for the handling of multi-line messages are given below, +see |errorformat-Jikes| and |errorformat-LaTeX|. + +Note the backslash in front of a space and double quote. It is required for +the :set command. There are two backslashes in front of a comma, one for the +:set command and one to avoid recognizing the comma as a separator of error +formats. + + +Filtering messages + +If you have a compiler that produces error messages that do not fit in the +format string, you could write a program that translates the error messages +into this format. You can use this program with the ":make" command by +changing the 'makeprg' option. For example: > + :set mp=make\ \\\|&\ error_filter +The backslashes before the pipe character are required to avoid it to be +recognized as a command separator. The backslash before each space is +required for the set command. + +============================================================================= +8. The directory stack *quickfix-directory-stack* + +Quickfix maintains a stack for saving all used directories parsed from the +make output. For GNU-make this is rather simple, as it always prints the +absolute path of all directories it enters and leaves. Regardless if this is +done via a 'cd' command in the makefile or with the parameter "-C dir" (change +to directory before reading the makefile). It may be useful to use the switch +"-w" to force GNU-make to print out the working directory before and after +processing. + +Maintaining the correct directory is more complicated if you don't use +GNU-make. AIX-make for example doesn't print any information about its +working directory. Then you need to enhance the makefile. In the makefile of +LessTif there is a command which echoes "Making {target} in {dir}". The +special problem here is that it doesn't print information on leaving the +directory and that it doesn't print the absolute path. + +To solve the problem with relative paths and missing "leave directory" +messages Vim uses the following algorithm: + +1) Check if the given directory is a subdirectory of the current directory. + If this is true, store it as the current directory. +2) If it is not a subdir of the current directory, try if this is a + subdirectory of one of the upper directories. +3) If the directory still isn't found, it is assumed to be a subdirectory + of Vim's current directory. + +Additionally it is checked for every file, if it really exists in the +identified directory. If not, it is searched in all other directories of the +directory stack (NOT the directory subtree!). If it is still not found, it is +assumed that it is in Vim's current directory. + +There are limitations in this algorithm. These examples assume that make just +prints information about entering a directory in the form "Making all in dir". + +1) Assume you have following directories and files: + ./dir1 + ./dir1/file1.c + ./file1.c + + If make processes the directory "./dir1" before the current directory and + there is an error in the file "./file1.c", you will end up with the file + "./dir1/file.c" loaded by Vim. + + This can only be solved with a "leave directory" message. + +2) Assume you have following directories and files: + ./dir1 + ./dir1/dir2 + ./dir2 + + You get the following: + + Make output Directory interpreted by Vim + ------------------------ ---------------------------- + Making all in dir1 ./dir1 + Making all in dir2 ./dir1/dir2 + Making all in dir2 ./dir1/dir2 + + This can be solved by printing absolute directories in the "enter directory" + message or by printing "leave directory" messages. + +To avoid this problem, ensure to print absolute directory names and "leave +directory" messages. + +Examples for Makefiles: + +Unix: + libs: + for dn in $(LIBDIRS); do \ + (cd $$dn; echo "Entering dir '$$(pwd)'"; make); \ + echo "Leaving dir"; \ + done + +Add + %DEntering\ dir\ '%f',%XLeaving\ dir +to your 'errorformat' to handle the above output. + +Note that Vim doesn't check if the directory name in a "leave directory" +messages is the current directory. This is why you could just use the message +"Leaving dir". + +============================================================================= +9. Specific error file formats *errorformats* + + *errorformat-Jikes* +Jikes(TM), a source-to-bytecode Java compiler published by IBM Research, +produces simple multi-line error messages. + +An 'errorformat' string matching the produced messages is shown below. +The following lines can be placed in the user's |vimrc| to overwrite Vim's +recognized default formats, or see |:set+=| how to install this format +additionally to the default. > + + :set efm=%A%f:%l:%c:%*\\d:%*\\d:, + \%C%*\\s%trror:%m, + \%+C%*[^:]%trror:%m, + \%C%*\\s%tarning:%m, + \%C%m +< +Jikes(TM) produces a single-line error message when invoked with the option +"+E", and can be matched with the following: > + + :setl efm=%f:%l:%v:%*\\d:%*\\d:%*\\s%m +< + *errorformat-javac* +This 'errorformat' has been reported to work well for javac, which outputs a +line with "^" to indicate the column of the error: > + :setl efm=%A%f:%l:\ %m,%-Z%p^,%-C%.%# +or: > + :setl efm=%A%f:%l:\ %m,%+Z%p^,%+C%.%#,%-G%.%# +< +Here is an alternative from Michael F. Lamb for Unix that filters the errors +first: > + :setl errorformat=%Z%f:%l:\ %m,%A%p^,%-G%*[^sl]%.%# + :setl makeprg=javac\ %:S\ 2>&1\ \\\|\ vim-javac-filter + +You need to put the following in "vim-javac-filter" somewhere in your path +(e.g., in ~/bin) and make it executable: > + #!/bin/sed -f + /\^$/s/\t/\ /g;/:[0-9]\+:/{h;d};/^[ \t]*\^/G; + +In English, that sed script: +- Changes single tabs to single spaces and +- Moves the line with the filename, line number, error message to just after + the pointer line. That way, the unused error text between doesn't break + vim's notion of a "multi-line message" and also doesn't force us to include + it as a "continuation of a multi-line message." + + *errorformat-ant* +For ant (http://jakarta.apache.org/) the above errorformat has to be modified +to honour the leading [javac] in front of each javac output line: > + :set efm=%A\ %#[javac]\ %f:%l:\ %m,%-Z\ %#[javac]\ %p^,%-C%.%# + +The 'errorformat' can also be configured to handle ant together with either +javac or jikes. If you're using jikes, you should tell ant to use jikes' +E +command line switch which forces jikes to generate one-line error messages. +This is what the second line (of a build.xml file) below does: > + <property name = "build.compiler" value = "jikes"/> + <property name = "build.compiler.emacs" value = "true"/> + +The 'errorformat' which handles ant with both javac and jikes is: > + :set efm=\ %#[javac]\ %#%f:%l:%c:%*\\d:%*\\d:\ %t%[%^:]%#:%m, + \%A\ %#[javac]\ %f:%l:\ %m,%-Z\ %#[javac]\ %p^,%-C%.%# +< + *errorformat-jade* +parsing jade (see http://www.jclark.com/) errors is simple: > + :set efm=jade:%f:%l:%c:%t:%m +< + *errorformat-LaTeX* +The following is an example how an 'errorformat' string can be specified +for the (La)TeX typesetting system which displays error messages over +multiple lines. The output of ":clist" and ":cc" etc. commands displays +multi-lines in a single line, leading white space is removed. +It should be easy to adopt the above LaTeX errorformat to any compiler output +consisting of multi-line errors. + +The commands can be placed in a |vimrc| file or some other Vim script file, +e.g. a script containing LaTeX related stuff which is loaded only when editing +LaTeX sources. +Make sure to copy all lines of the example (in the given order), afterwards +remove the comment lines. For the '\' notation at the start of some lines see +|line-continuation|. + + First prepare 'makeprg' such that LaTeX will report multiple + errors; do not stop when the first error has occurred: > + :set makeprg=latex\ \\\\nonstopmode\ \\\\input\\{$*} +< + Start of multi-line error messages: > + :set efm=%E!\ LaTeX\ %trror:\ %m, + \%E!\ %m, +< Start of multi-line warning messages; the first two also + include the line number. Meaning of some regular expressions: + - "%.%#" (".*") matches a (possibly empty) string + - "%*\\d" ("\d\+") matches a number > + \%+WLaTeX\ %.%#Warning:\ %.%#line\ %l%.%#, + \%+W%.%#\ at\ lines\ %l--%*\\d, + \%WLaTeX\ %.%#Warning:\ %m, +< Possible continuations of error/warning messages; the first + one also includes the line number: > + \%Cl.%l\ %m, + \%+C\ \ %m., + \%+C%.%#-%.%#, + \%+C%.%#[]%.%#, + \%+C[]%.%#, + \%+C%.%#%[{}\\]%.%#, + \%+C<%.%#>%.%#, + \%C\ \ %m, +< Lines that match the following patterns do not contain any + important information; do not include them in messages: > + \%-GSee\ the\ LaTeX%m, + \%-GType\ \ H\ <return>%m, + \%-G\ ...%.%#, + \%-G%.%#\ (C)\ %.%#, + \%-G(see\ the\ transcript%.%#), +< Generally exclude any empty or whitespace-only line from + being displayed: > + \%-G\\s%#, +< The LaTeX output log does not specify the names of erroneous + source files per line; rather they are given globally, + enclosed in parentheses. + The following patterns try to match these names and store + them in an internal stack. The patterns possibly scan over + the same input line (one after another), the trailing "%r" + conversion indicates the "rest" of the line that will be + parsed in the next go until the end of line is reached. + + Overread a file name enclosed in '('...')'; do not push it + on a stack since the file apparently does not contain any + error: > + \%+O(%f)%r, +< Push a file name onto the stack. The name is given after '(': > + \%+P(%f%r, + \%+P\ %\\=(%f%r, + \%+P%*[^()](%f%r, + \%+P[%\\d%[^()]%#(%f%r, +< Pop the last stored file name when a ')' is scanned: > + \%+Q)%r, + \%+Q%*[^()])%r, + \%+Q[%\\d%*[^()])%r + +Note that in some cases file names in the LaTeX output log cannot be parsed +properly. The parser might have been messed up by unbalanced parentheses +then. The above example tries to catch the most relevant cases only. +You can customize the given setting to suit your own purposes, for example, +all the annoying "Overfull ..." warnings could be excluded from being +recognized as an error. +Alternatively to filtering the LaTeX compiler output, it is also possible +to directly read the *.log file that is produced by the [La]TeX compiler. +This contains even more useful information about possible error causes. +However, to properly parse such a complex file, an external filter should +be used. See the description further above how to make such a filter known +by Vim. + + *errorformat-Perl* +In $VIMRUNTIME/tools you can find the efm_perl.pl script, which filters Perl +error messages into a format that quickfix mode will understand. See the +start of the file about how to use it. (This script is deprecated, see +|compiler-perl|.) + +============================================================================= +10. Customizing the quickfix window *quickfix-window-function* + +The default format for the lines displayed in the quickfix window and location +list window is: + + <filename>|<lnum> col <col>|<text> + +The values displayed in each line correspond to the "bufnr", "lnum", "col" and +"text" fields returned by the |getqflist()| function. + +For some quickfix/location lists, the displayed text needs to be customized. +For example, if only the filename is present for a quickfix entry, then the +two "|" field separator characters after the filename are not needed. Another +use case is to customize the path displayed for a filename. By default, the +complete path (which may be too long) is displayed for files which are not +under the current directory tree. The file path may need to be simplified to a +common parent directory. + +The displayed text can be customized by setting the 'quickfixtextfunc' option +to a Vim function. This function will be called with a dict argument and +should return a List of strings to be displayed in the quickfix or location +list window. The dict argument will have the following fields: + + quickfix set to 1 when called for a quickfix list and 0 when called for + a location list. + winid for a location list, set to the id of the window with the + location list. For a quickfix list, set to 0. Can be used in + getloclist() to get the location list entry. + id quickfix or location list identifier + start_idx index of the first entry for which text should be returned + end_idx index of the last entry for which text should be returned + +The function should return a single line of text to display in the quickfix +window for each entry from start_idx to end_idx. The function can obtain +information about the entries using the |getqflist()| function and specifying +the quickfix list identifier "id". For a location list, getloclist() function +can be used with the 'winid' argument. If an empty list is returned, then the +default format is used to display all the entries. If an item in the returned +list is an empty string, then the default format is used to display the +corresponding entry. + +If a quickfix or location list specific customization is needed, then the +'quickfixtextfunc' attribute of the list can be set using the |setqflist()| or +|setloclist()| function. This overrides the global 'quickfixtextfunc' option. + +The example below displays the list of old files (|v:oldfiles|) in a quickfix +window. As there is no line, column number and error text information +associated with each entry, the 'quickfixtextfunc' function returns only the +filename. +Example: > + " create a quickfix list from v:oldfiles + call setqflist([], ' ', {'lines' : v:oldfiles, 'efm' : '%f', + \ 'quickfixtextfunc' : 'QfOldFiles'}) + func QfOldFiles(info) + " get information about a range of quickfix entries + let items = getqflist({'id' : a:info.id, 'items' : 1}).items + let l = [] + for idx in range(a:info.start_idx - 1, a:info.end_idx - 1) + " use the simplified file name + call add(l, fnamemodify(bufname(items[idx].bufnr), ':p:.')) + endfor + return l + endfunc +< + + vim:tw=78:ts=8:noet:ft=help:norl: |