patch 8.1.0735: cannot handle binary datav8.1.0735

Problem:    Cannot handle binary data.
Solution:   Add the Blob type. (Yasuhiro Matsumoto, closes #3638)

27 files changed, 1354 insertions, 114 deletions

diff --git a/runtime/doc/eval.txt b/runtime/doc/eval.txt
index 86026239a..b9c9ca42a 100644
--- a/runtime/doc/eval.txt
+++ b/runtime/doc/eval.txt
@@ -72,6 +72,10 @@ Job		Used for a job, see |job_start()|. *Job* *Jobs*
 
 Channel		Used for a channel, see |ch_open()|. *Channel* *Channels*
 
+Blob		Binary Large Object. Stores any sequence of bytes. *Blob*
+		Example: 0zFF00ED015DAF
+		0z is an empty Blob.
+
 The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
 are used.
 
@@ -124,7 +128,8 @@ Note that " " and "0" are also non-empty strings, thus considered to be TRUE.
 A List, Dictionary or Float is not a Number or String, thus evaluate to FALSE.
 
 		*E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731* *E908* *E910* *E913*
-List, Dictionary, Funcref, Job and Channel types are not automatically
+		*E974* *E975* *E976*
+List, Dictionary, Funcref, Job, Channel and Blob types are not automatically
 converted.
 
 							*E805* *E806* *E808*
@@ -1017,6 +1022,12 @@ just above. Also see |sublist| below.  Examples: >
 	:let l = mylist[4:4]		" List with one item
 	:let l = mylist[:]		" shallow copy of a List
 
+If expr8 is a |Blob| this results in a new |Blob| with the bytes in the
+indexes expr1a and expr1b, inclusive.  Examples: >
+	:let b = 0zDEADBEEF
+	:let bs = b[1:2]		" 0zADBE
+	:let bs = b[]			" copy ov 0zDEADBEEF
+
 Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
 error.
 
@@ -1156,6 +1167,14 @@ of 'encoding'.
 Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
 
 
+blob-literal				*blob-literal* *E973* *E977* *E978*
+------------
+
+Hexadecimal starting with 0z or 0Z, with an arbitrary number of bytes.
+The sequence must be an even number of hex characters.  Example: >
+	:let b = 0zFF00ED015DAF
+
+
 literal-string						*literal-string* *E115*
 ---------------
 'string'		string constant			*expr-'*
@@ -1911,6 +1930,8 @@ v:t_none	Value of None type.  Read-only.  See: |type()|
 v:t_number	Value of Number type.  Read-only.  See: |type()|
 					*v:t_string* *t_string-variable*
 v:t_string	Value of String type.  Read-only.  See: |type()|
+					*v:t_blob* *t_blob-variable*
+v:t_blob	Value of Blob type.  Read-only.  See: |type()|
 
 				*v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
 v:termresponse	The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
@@ -2094,12 +2115,14 @@ ch_logfile({fname} [, {mode}])	none	start logging channel activity
 ch_open({address} [, {options}])
 				Channel	open a channel to {address}
 ch_read({handle} [, {options}]) String	read from {handle}
+ch_readblob({handle} [, {options}])
+				Blob	read Blob from {handle}
 ch_readraw({handle} [, {options}])
 				String	read raw from {handle}
 ch_sendexpr({handle}, {expr} [, {options}])
 				any	send {expr} over JSON {handle}
-ch_sendraw({handle}, {string} [, {options}])
-				any	send {string} over raw {handle}
+ch_sendraw({handle}, {expr} [, {options}])
+				any	send {expr} over raw {handle}
 ch_setoptions({handle}, {options})
 				none	set options for {handle}
 ch_status({handle} [, {options}])
@@ -2239,8 +2262,8 @@ hlID({name})			Number	syntax ID of highlight group {name}
 hostname()			String	name of the machine Vim is running on
 iconv({expr}, {from}, {to})	String	convert encoding of {expr}
 indent({lnum})			Number	indent of line {lnum}
-index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
-				Number	index in {list} where {expr} appears
+index({object}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
+				Number	index in {object} where {expr} appears
 input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
 				String	get input from the user
 inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
@@ -2249,7 +2272,7 @@ inputlist({textlist})		Number	let the user pick from a choice list
 inputrestore()			Number	restore typeahead
 inputsave()			Number	save and clear typeahead
 inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) String	like input() but hiding the text
-insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List	insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
+insert({object}, {item} [, {idx}]) List	insert {item} in {object} [before {idx}]
 invert({expr})			Number	bitwise invert
 isdirectory({directory})	Number	|TRUE| if {directory} is a directory
 islocked({expr})		Number	|TRUE| if {expr} is locked
@@ -2339,7 +2362,7 @@ py3eval({expr})			any	evaluate |python3| expression
 pyxeval({expr})			any	evaluate |python_x| expression
 range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
 				List	items from {expr} to {max}
-readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
+readfile({fname} [, {type} [, {max}]])
 				List	get list of lines from file {fname}
 reg_executing()			String	get the executing register name
 reg_recording()			String	get the recording register name
@@ -2554,8 +2577,8 @@ winrestview({dict})		none	restore view of current window
 winsaveview()			Dict	save view of current window
 winwidth({nr})			Number	width of window {nr}
 wordcount()			Dict	get byte/char/word statistics
-writefile({list}, {fname} [, {flags}])
-				Number	write list of lines to file {fname}
+writefile({object}, {fname} [, {flags}])
+				Number	write |Blob| or |List| of lines to file
 xor({expr}, {expr})		Number	bitwise XOR
 
 
@@ -3199,6 +3222,11 @@ ch_read({handle} [, {options}])					*ch_read()*
 		See |channel-more|.
 		{only available when compiled with the |+channel| feature}
 
+ch_readblob({handle} [, {options}])			*ch_readblob()*
+		Like ch_read() but reads binary data and returns a Blob.
+		See |channel-more|.
+		{only available when compiled with the |+channel| feature}
+
 ch_readraw({handle} [, {options}])			*ch_readraw()*
 		Like ch_read() but for a JS and JSON channel does not decode
 		the message.  For a NL channel it does not block waiting for
@@ -3215,8 +3243,8 @@ ch_sendexpr({handle}, {expr} [, {options}])			*ch_sendexpr()*
 
 		{only available when compiled with the |+channel| feature}
 
-ch_sendraw({handle}, {string} [, {options}])		*ch_sendraw()*
-		Send {string} over {handle}.
+ch_sendraw({handle}, {expr} [, {options}])		*ch_sendraw()*
+		Send string or Blob {expr} over {handle}.
 		Works like |ch_sendexpr()|, but does not encode the request or
 		decode the response.  The caller is responsible for the
 		correct contents.  Also does not add a newline for a channel
@@ -5375,17 +5403,21 @@ indent({lnum})	The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
 		When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
 
 
-index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])			*index()*
-		Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
-		value equal to {expr}.  There is no automatic conversion, so
-		the String "4" is different from the Number 4.  And the number
-		4 is different from the Float 4.0.  The value of 'ignorecase'
-		is not used here, case always matters.
+index({object}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])			*index()*
+		If {object} is a |List| return the lowest index where the item
+		has a value equal to {expr}.  There is no automatic
+		conversion, so the String "4" is different from the Number 4.
+		And the number 4 is different from the Float 4.0.  The value
+		of 'ignorecase' is not used here, case always matters.
+
+		If {object} is |Blob| return the lowest index where the byte
+		value is equal to {expr}.
+
 		If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
 		{start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
 		When {ic} is given and it is |TRUE|, ignore case.  Otherwise
 		case must match.
-		-1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
+		-1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {object}.
 		Example: >
 			:let idx = index(words, "the")
 			:if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
@@ -5491,13 +5523,16 @@ inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}])			*inputsecret()*
 		typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
 		NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
 
-insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}])			*insert()*
-		Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
+insert({object}, {item} [, {idx}])			*insert()*
+		When {object} is a |List| or a |Blob| insert {item} at the start
+		of it.
+
 		If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
 		{idx}.  If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
 		like omitting {idx}.  A negative {idx} is also possible, see
 		|list-index|.  -1 inserts just before the last item.
-		Returns the resulting |List|.  Examples: >
+
+		Returns the resulting |List| or |Blob|.  Examples: >
 			:let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
 			:call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
 			:call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
@@ -5763,6 +5798,7 @@ json_encode({expr})					*json_encode()*
 					used recursively: []
 		   Dict			as an object (possibly null); when
 					used recursively: {}
+		   Blob			as an array of the individual bytes
 		   v:false		"false"
 		   v:true		"true"
 		   v:none		"null"
@@ -6947,16 +6983,18 @@ range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])				*range()*
 			range(2, 0)		" error!
 <
 							*readfile()*
-readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
+readfile({fname} [, {type} [, {max}]])
 		Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
 		as an item.  Lines are broken at NL characters.  Macintosh
 		files separated with CR will result in a single long line
 		(unless a NL appears somewhere).
 		All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
-		When {binary} contains "b" binary mode is used:
+		When {type} contains "b" binary mode is used:
 		- When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
 		  added.
 		- No CR characters are removed.
+		When {type} contains "B" a |Blob| is returned with the binary
+		data of the file unmodified.
 		Otherwise:
 		- CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
 		- Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
@@ -7132,6 +7170,16 @@ remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}])				*remove()*
 		Example: >
 			:echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
 			:call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
+remove({blob}, {idx} [, {end}])
+		Without {end}: Remove the byte at {idx} from |Blob| {blob} and
+		return the byte.
+		With {end}: Remove bytes from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
+		return a |Blob| with these bytes.  When {idx} points to the same
+		byte as {end} a |Blob| with one byte is returned.  When {end}
+		points to a byte before {idx} this is an error.
+		Example: >
+			:echo "last byte: " . remove(myblob, -1)
+			:call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
 remove({dict}, {key})
 		Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}.  Example: >
 			:echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
@@ -7172,9 +7220,11 @@ resolve({filename})					*resolve()* *E655*
 		path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
 
 							*reverse()*
-reverse({list})	Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place.  Returns
-		{list}.
-		If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
+reverse({object})
+		Reverse the order of items in {object} in-place.
+		{object} can be a |List| or a |Blob|.
+		Returns {object}.
+		If you want an object to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
 			:let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
 
 round({expr})							*round()*
@@ -9518,6 +9568,7 @@ type({expr})	The result is a Number representing the type of {expr}.
 			None	    7  |v:t_none| (v:null and v:none)
 			Job	    8  |v:t_job|
 			Channel	    9  |v:t_channel|
+			Blob	   10  |v:t_blob|
 		For backward compatibility, this method can be used: >
 			:if type(myvar) == type(0)
 			:if type(myvar) == type("")
@@ -9865,14 +9916,17 @@ wordcount()						*wordcount()*
 
 
 							*writefile()*
-writefile({list}, {fname} [, {flags}])
-		Write |List| {list} to file {fname}.  Each list item is
-		separated with a NL.  Each list item must be a String or
-		Number.
+writefile({object}, {fname} [, {flags}])
+		When {object} is a |List| write it to file {fname}.  Each list
+		item is separated with a NL.  Each list item must be a String
+		or Number.
 		When {flags} contains "b" then binary mode is used: There will
 		not be a NL after the last list item.  An empty item at the
 		end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
 
+		When {object} is a |Blob| write the bytes to file {fname}
+		unmodified.
+
 		When {flags} contains "a" then append mode is used, lines are
 		appended to the file: >
 			:call writefile(["foo"], "event.log", "a")
@@ -10575,7 +10629,10 @@ This does NOT work: >
 			This cannot be used to set a byte in a String.  You
 			can do that like this: >
 				:let var = var[0:2] . 'X' . var[4:]
-<
+<			When {var-name} is a |Blob| then {idx} can be the
+			length of the blob, in which case one byte is
+			appended.
+
 							*E711* *E719*
 :let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1}		*E708* *E709* *E710*
 			Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
diff --git a/runtime/doc/if_perl.txt b/runtime/doc/if_perl.txt
index 26ea29e0d..cce3cdf5d 100644
--- a/runtime/doc/if_perl.txt
+++ b/runtime/doc/if_perl.txt
@@ -191,6 +191,9 @@ VIM::Eval({expr})	Evaluates {expr} and returns (success, value) in list
 			A |List| is turned into a string by joining the items
 			and inserting line breaks.
 
+							*perl-Blob*
+VIM::Blob({expr})	Return Blob literal string 0zXXXX from scalar value.
+
 							*perl-SetHeight*
 Window->SetHeight({height})
 			Sets the Window height to {height}, within screen
diff --git a/runtime/doc/if_ruby.txt b/runtime/doc/if_ruby.txt
index b1404769f..c9fc797eb 100644
--- a/runtime/doc/if_ruby.txt
+++ b/runtime/doc/if_ruby.txt
@@ -110,6 +110,10 @@ Module Functions:
 Vim::message({msg})
 	Displays the message {msg}.
 
+							*ruby-blob*
+Vim::blob({arg})
+	Return Blob literal string from {arg}.
+
 							*ruby-set_option*
 Vim::set_option({arg})
 	Sets a vim option.  {arg} can be any argument that the ":set" command
diff --git a/src/Make_cyg_ming.mak b/src/Make_cyg_ming.mak
index 759e185bc..7aef61ac3 100644
--- a/src/Make_cyg_ming.mak
+++ b/src/Make_cyg_ming.mak
@@ -696,6 +696,7 @@ CUIOBJ = $(OUTDIR)/iscygpty.o
 OBJ = \
 	$(OUTDIR)/arabic.o \
 	$(OUTDIR)/beval.o \
+	$(OUTDIR)/blob.o \
 	$(OUTDIR)/blowfish.o \
 	$(OUTDIR)/buffer.o \
 	$(OUTDIR)/charset.o \
diff --git a/src/Make_mvc.mak b/src/Make_mvc.mak
index 0a9253011..a3c66819a 100644
--- a/src/Make_mvc.mak
+++ b/src/Make_mvc.mak
@@ -701,6 +701,7 @@ INCL =	vim.h alloc.h arabic.h ascii.h ex_cmds.h farsi.h feature.h globals.h \
 OBJ = \
 	$(OUTDIR)\arabic.obj \
 	$(OUTDIR)\beval.obj \
+	$(OUTDIR)\blob.obj \
 	$(OUTDIR)\blowfish.obj \
 	$(OUTDIR)\buffer.obj \
 	$(OUTDIR)\charset.obj \
@@ -1346,6 +1347,8 @@ $(OUTDIR)/arabic.obj:	$(OUTDIR) arabic.c  $(INCL)
 
 $(OUTDIR)/beval.obj:	$(OUTDIR) beval.c  $(INCL)
 
+$(OUTDIR)/blob.obj:	$(OUTDIR) blob.c  $(INCL)
+
 $(OUTDIR)/blowfish.obj:	$(OUTDIR) blowfish.c  $(INCL)
 
 $(OUTDIR)/buffer.obj:	$(OUTDIR) buffer.c  $(INCL)
@@ -1616,6 +1619,7 @@ auto:
 # End Custom Build
 proto.h: \
 	proto/arabic.pro \
+	proto/blob.pro \
 	proto/blowfish.pro \
 	proto/buffer.pro \
 	proto/charset.pro \
diff --git a/src/Makefile b/src/Makefile
index 0ea1503d8..cf409bd49 100644
--- a/src/Makefile
+++ b/src/Makefile
@@ -1577,6 +1577,7 @@ include testdir/Make_all.mak
 BASIC_SRC = \
 	arabic.c \
 	beval.c \
+	blob.c \
 	blowfish.c \
 	buffer.c \
 	charset.c \
@@ -1693,6 +1694,7 @@ OBJ_COMMON = \
 	objects/arabic.o \
 	objects/beval.o \
 	objects/buffer.o \
+	objects/blob.o \
 	objects/blowfish.o \
 	objects/crypt.o \
 	objects/crypt_zip.o \
@@ -2943,6 +2945,9 @@ $(ALL_OBJ): objects/.dirstamp
 objects/arabic.o: arabic.c
 	$(CCC) -o $@ arabic.c
 
+objects/blob.o: blob.c
+	$(CCC) -o $@ blob.c
+
 objects/blowfish.o: blowfish.c
 	$(CCC) -o $@ blowfish.c
 
@@ -3395,6 +3400,10 @@ objects/beval.o: beval.c vim.h protodef.h auto/config.h feature.h os_unix.h \
  auto/osdef.h ascii.h keymap.h term.h macros.h option.h beval.h \
  proto/gui_beval.pro structs.h regexp.h gui.h alloc.h ex_cmds.h spell.h \
  proto.h globals.h farsi.h arabic.h
+objects/blob.o: blob.c vim.h protodef.h auto/config.h feature.h os_unix.h \
+ auto/osdef.h ascii.h keymap.h term.h macros.h option.h beval.h \
+ proto/gui_beval.pro structs.h regexp.h gui.h alloc.h ex_cmds.h spell.h \
+ proto.h globals.h farsi.h arabic.h
 objects/blowfish.o: blowfish.c vim.h protodef.h auto/config.h feature.h os_unix.h \
  auto/osdef.h ascii.h keymap.h term.h macros.h option.h beval.h \
  proto/gui_beval.pro structs.h regexp.h gui.h alloc.h ex_cmds.h spell.h \
diff --git a/src/blob.c b/src/blob.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fc1d3f624
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/blob.c
@@ -0,0 +1,167 @@
+/* vi:set ts=8 sts=4 sw=4 noet:
+ *
+ * VIM - Vi IMproved	by Bram Moolenaar
+ *
+ * Do ":help uganda"  in Vim to read copying and usage conditions.
+ * Do ":help credits" in Vim to see a list of people who contributed.
+ * See README.txt for an overview of the Vim source code.
+ */
+
+/*
+ * blob.c: Blob support by Yasuhiro Matsumoto
+ */
+
+#include "vim.h"
+
+#if defined(FEAT_EVAL) || defined(PROTO)
+
+/*
+ * Allocate an empty blob.
+ * Caller should take care of the reference count.
+ */
+    blob_T *
+blob_alloc(void)
+{
+    blob_T *blob = (blob_T *)alloc_clear(sizeof(blob_T));
+
+    if (blob != NULL)
+	ga_init2(&blob->bv_ga, 1, 100);
+    return blob;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Allocate an empty blob for a return value, with reference count set.
+ * Returns OK or FAIL.
+ */
+    int
+rettv_blob_alloc(typval_T *rettv)
+{
+    blob_T	*b = blob_alloc();
+
+    if (b == NULL)
+	return FAIL;
+
+    rettv_blob_set(rettv, b);
+    return OK;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Set a blob as the return value.
+ */
+    void
+rettv_blob_set(typval_T *rettv, blob_T *b)
+{
+    rettv->v_type = VAR_BLOB;
+    rettv->vval.v_blob = b;
+    if (b != NULL)
+	++b->bv_refcount;
+}
+
+    void
+blob_free(blob_T *b)
+{
+    ga_clear(&b->bv_ga);
+    vim_free(b);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Unreference a blob: decrement the reference count and free it when it
+ * becomes zero.
+ */
+    void
+blob_unref(blob_T *b)
+{
+    if (b != NULL && --b->bv_refcount <= 0)
+	blob_free(b);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Get the length of data.
+ */
+    long
+blob_len(blob_T *b)
+{
+    if (b == NULL)
+	return 0L;
+    return b->bv_ga.ga_len;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Get byte "idx" in blob "b".
+ * Caller must check that "idx" is valid.
+ */
+    char_u
+blob_get(blob_T *b, int idx)
+{
+    return ((char_u*)b->bv_ga.ga_data)[idx];
+}
+
+/*
+ * Store one byte "c" in blob "b" at "idx".
+ * Caller must make sure that "idx" is valid.
+ */
+    void
+blob_set(blob_T *b, int idx, char_u c)
+{
+    ((char_u*)b->bv_ga.ga_data)[idx] = c;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Return TRUE when two blobs have exactly the same values.
+ */
+    int
+blob_equal(
+    blob_T	*b1,
+    blob_T	*b2)
+{
+    int i;
+
+    if (b1 == NULL || b2 == NULL)
+	return FALSE;
+    if (b1 == b2)
+	return TRUE;
+    if (blob_len(b1) != blob_len(b2))
+	return FALSE;
+
+    for (i = 0; i < b1->bv_ga.ga_len; i++)
+	if (blob_get(b1, i) != blob_get(b2, i)) return FALSE;
+    return TRUE;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Read "blob" from file "fd".
+ * Return OK or FAIL.
+ */
+    int
+read_blob(FILE *fd, blob_T *blob)
+{
+    struct stat	st;
+
+    if (fstat(fileno(fd), &st) < 0)
+	return FAIL;
+    if (ga_grow(&blob->bv_ga, st.st_size) == FAIL)
+	return FAIL;
+    blob->bv_ga.ga_len = st.st_size;
+    if (fread(blob->bv_ga.ga_data, 1, blob->bv_ga.ga_len, fd)
+						  < (size_t)blob->bv_ga.ga_len)
+	return FAIL;
+    return OK;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Write "blob" to file "fd".
+ * Return OK or FAIL.
+ */
+    int
+write_blob(FILE *fd, blob_T *blob)
+{
+    if (fwrite(blob->bv_ga.ga_data, 1, blob->bv_ga.ga_len, fd)
+						  < (size_t)blob->bv_ga.ga_len)
+    {
+	EMSG(_(e_write));
+	return FAIL;
+    }
+    return OK;
+}
+
+#endif /* defined(FEAT_EVAL) */
diff --git a/src/channel.c b/src/channel.c
index 6f5bf2023..e9615279a 100644
--- a/src/channel.c
+++ b/src/channel.c
@@ -1665,7 +1665,7 @@ channel_first_nl(readq_T *node)
  * Returns NULL if there is nothing.
  */
     char_u *
-channel_get(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part)
+channel_get(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part, int *outlen)
 {
     readq_T *head = &channel->ch_part[part].ch_head;
     readq_T *node = head->rq_next;
@@ -1673,6 +1673,8 @@ channel_get(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part)
 
     if (node == NULL)
 	return NULL;
+    if (outlen != NULL)
+	*outlen += node->rq_buflen;
     /* dispose of the node but keep the buffer */
     p = node->rq_buffer;
     head->rq_next = node->rq_next;
@@ -1689,7 +1691,7 @@ channel_get(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part)
  * Replaces NUL bytes with NL.
  */
     static char_u *
-channel_get_all(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part)
+channel_get_all(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part, int *outlen)
 {
     readq_T *head = &channel->ch_part[part].ch_head;
     readq_T *node = head->rq_next;
@@ -1699,7 +1701,7 @@ channel_get_all(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part)
 
     /* If there is only one buffer just get that one. */
     if (head->rq_next == NULL || head->rq_next->rq_next == NULL)
-	return channel_get(channel, part);
+	return channel_get(channel, part, outlen);
 
     /* Concatenate everything into one buffer. */
     for (node = head->rq_next; node != NULL; node = node->rq_next)
@@ -1718,10 +1720,16 @@ channel_get_all(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part)
     /* Free all buffers */
     do
     {
-	p = channel_get(channel, part);
+	p = channel_get(channel, part, NULL);
 	vim_free(p);
     } while (p != NULL);
 
+    if (outlen != NULL)
+    {
+	*outlen += len;
+	return res;
+    }
+
     /* turn all NUL into NL */
     while (len > 0)
     {
@@ -1893,7 +1901,7 @@ channel_fill(js_read_T *reader)
 {
     channel_T	*channel = (channel_T *)reader->js_cookie;
     ch_part_T	part = reader->js_cookie_arg;
-    char_u	*next = channel_get(channel, part);
+    char_u	*next = channel_get(channel, part, NULL);
     int		keeplen;
     int		addlen;
     char_u	*p;
@@ -1942,7 +1950,7 @@ channel_parse_json(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part)
     if (channel_peek(channel, part) == NULL)
 	return FALSE;
 
-    reader.js_buf = channel_get(channel, part);
+    reader.js_buf = channel_get(channel, part, NULL);
     reader.js_used = 0;
     reader.js_fill = channel_fill;
     reader.js_cookie = channel;
@@ -2475,7 +2483,7 @@ drop_messages(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part)
 {
     char_u *msg;
 
-    while ((msg = channel_get(channel, part)) != NULL)
+    while ((msg = channel_get(channel, part, NULL)) != NULL)
     {
 	ch_log(channel, "Dropping message '%s'", (char *)msg);
 	vim_free(msg);
@@ -2639,7 +2647,7 @@ may_invoke_callback(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part)
 	    if (nl + 1 == buf + node->rq_buflen)
 	    {
 		/* get the whole buffer, drop the NL */
-		msg = channel_get(channel, part);
+		msg = channel_get(channel, part, NULL);
 		*nl = NUL;
 	    }
 	    else
@@ -2655,7 +2663,7 @@ may_invoke_callback(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part)
 	    /* For a raw channel we don't know where the message ends, just
 	     * get everything we have.
 	     * Convert NUL to NL, the internal representation. */
-	    msg = channel_get_all(channel, part);
+	    msg = channel_get_all(channel, part, NULL);
 	}
 
 	if (msg == NULL)
@@ -3007,7 +3015,7 @@ channel_clear_one(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part)
     cbq_T   *cb_head = &ch_part->ch_cb_head;
 
     while (channel_peek(channel, part) != NULL)
-	vim_free(channel_get(channel, part));
+	vim_free(channel_get(channel, part, NULL));
 
     while (cb_head->cq_next != NULL)
     {
@@ -3381,7 +3389,8 @@ channel_read(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part, char *func)
  * Returns NULL in case of error or timeout.
  */
     static char_u *
-channel_read_block(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part, int timeout, int raw)
+channel_read_block(
+	channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part, int timeout, int raw, int *outlen)
 {
     char_u	*buf;
     char_u	*msg;
@@ -3422,9 +3431,9 @@ channel_read_block(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part, int timeout, int raw)
     }
 
     /* We have a complete message now. */
-    if (mode == MODE_RAW)
+    if (mode == MODE_RAW || outlen != NULL)
     {
-	msg = channel_get_all(channel, part);
+	msg = channel_get_all(channel, part, outlen);
     }
     else
     {
@@ -3441,12 +3450,12 @@ channel_read_block(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part, int timeout, int raw)
 	if (nl == NULL)
 	{
 	    /* must be a closed channel with missing NL */
-	    msg = channel_get(channel, part);
+	    msg = channel_get(channel, part, NULL);
 	}
 	else if (nl + 1 == buf + node->rq_buflen)
 	{
 	    /* get the whole buffer */
-	    msg = channel_get(channel, part);
+	    msg = channel_get(channel, part, NULL);
 	    *nl = NUL;
 	}
 	else
@@ -3554,7 +3563,7 @@ channel_read_json_block(
  * Common for ch_read() and ch_readraw().
  */
     void
-common_channel_read(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, int raw)
+common_channel_read(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, int raw, int blob)
 {
     channel_T	*channel;
     ch_part_T	part = PART_COUNT;
@@ -3585,9 +3594,32 @@ common_channel_read(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, int raw)
 	if (opt.jo_set & JO_TIMEOUT)
 	    timeout = opt.jo_timeout;
 
-	if (raw || mode == MODE_RAW || mode == MODE_NL)
+	if (blob)
+	{
+	    int	    outlen = 0;
+	    char_u  *p = channel_read_block(channel, part,
+						       timeout, TRUE, &outlen);
+	    if (p != NULL)
+	    {
+		blob_T	*b = blob_alloc();
+
+		if (b != NULL)
+		{
+		    b->bv_ga.ga_len = outlen;
+		    if (ga_grow(&b->bv_ga, outlen) == FAIL)
+			blob_free(b);
+		    else
+		    {
+			memcpy(b->bv_ga.ga_data, p, outlen);
+			rettv_blob_set(rettv, b);
+		    }
+		}
+		vim_free(p);
+	    }
+	}
+	else if (raw || mode == MODE_RAW || mode == MODE_NL)
 	    rettv->vval.v_string = channel_read_block(channel, part,
-								 timeout, raw);
+							 timeout, raw, NULL);
 	else
 	{
 	    if (opt.jo_set & JO_ID)
@@ -3905,6 +3937,7 @@ channel_send(
 send_common(
 	typval_T    *argvars,
 	char_u	    *text,
+	int	    len,
 	int	    id,
 	int	    eval,
 	jobopt_T    *opt,
@@ -3938,7 +3971,7 @@ send_common(
 				       opt->jo_callback, opt->jo_partial, id);
     }
 
-    if (channel_send(channel, part_send, text, (int)STRLEN(text), fun) == OK
+    if (channel_send(channel, part_send, text, len, fun) == OK
 						  && opt->jo_callback == NULL)
 	return channel;
     return NULL;
@@ -3982,7 +4015,7 @@ ch_expr_common(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, int eval)
     if (text == NULL)
 	return;
 
-    channel = send_common(argvars, text, id, eval, &opt,
+    channel = send_common(argvars, text, (int)STRLEN(text), id, eval, &opt,
 			    eval ? "ch_evalexpr" : "ch_sendexpr", &part_read);
     vim_free(text);
     if (channel != NULL && eval)
@@ -4014,6 +4047,7 @@ ch_raw_common(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, int eval)
 {
     char_u	buf[NUMBUFLEN];
     char_u	*text;
+    int		len;
     channel_T	*channel;
     ch_part_T	part_read;
     jobopt_T    opt;
@@ -4023,8 +4057,17 @@ ch_raw_common(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, int eval)
     rettv->v_type = VAR_STRING;
     rettv->vval.v_string = NULL;
 
-    text = tv_get_string_buf(&argvars[1], buf);
-    channel = send_common(argvars, text, 0, eval, &opt,
+    if (argvars[1].v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+    {
+	text = argvars[1].vval.v_blob->bv_ga.ga_data;
+	len = argvars[1].vval.v_blob->bv_ga.ga_len;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+	text = tv_get_string_buf(&argvars[1], buf);
+	len = STRLEN(text);
+    }
+    channel = send_common(argvars, text, len, 0, eval, &opt,
 			      eval ? "ch_evalraw" : "ch_sendraw", &part_read);
     if (channel != NULL && eval)
     {
@@ -4033,7 +4076,7 @@ ch_raw_common(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, int eval)
 	else
 	    timeout = channel_get_timeout(channel, part_read);
 	rettv->vval.v_string = channel_read_block(channel, part_read,
-								timeout, TRUE);
+							timeout, TRUE, NULL);
     }
     free_job_options(&opt);
 }
diff --git a/src/eval.c b/src/eval.c
index b6463d2e7..59bddb891 100644
--- a/src/eval.c
+++ b/src/eval.c
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@ typedef struct
     int		fi_varcount;	/* nr of variables in the list */
     listwatch_T	fi_lw;		/* keep an eye on the item used. */
     list_T	*fi_list;	/* list being used */
+    int		fi_bi;		/* index of blob */
+    blob_T	*fi_blob;	/* blob being used */
 } forinfo_T;
 
 
@@ -187,6 +189,7 @@ static struct vimvar
     {VV_NAME("t_none",		 VAR_NUMBER), VV_RO},
     {VV_NAME("t_job",		 VAR_NUMBER), VV_RO},
     {VV_NAME("t_channel",	 VAR_NUMBER), VV_RO},
+    {VV_NAME("t_blob",		 VAR_NUMBER), VV_RO},
     {VV_NAME("termrfgresp",	 VAR_STRING), VV_RO},
     {VV_NAME("termrbgresp",	 VAR_STRING), VV_RO},
     {VV_NAME("termu7resp",	 VAR_STRING), VV_RO},
@@ -202,6 +205,7 @@ static struct vimvar
 #define vv_str		vv_di.di_tv.vval.v_string
 #define vv_list		vv_di.di_tv.vval.v_list
 #define vv_dict		vv_di.di_tv.vval.v_dict
+#define vv_blob		vv_di.di_tv.vval.v_blob
 #define vv_tv		vv_di.di_tv
 
 static dictitem_T	vimvars_var;		/* variable used for v: */
@@ -338,6 +342,7 @@ eval_init(void)
     set_vim_var_nr(VV_TYPE_NONE,    VAR_TYPE_NONE);
     set_vim_var_nr(VV_TYPE_JOB,     VAR_TYPE_JOB);
     set_vim_var_nr(VV_TYPE_CHANNEL, VAR_TYPE_CHANNEL);
+    set_vim_var_nr(VV_TYPE_BLOB,    VAR_TYPE_BLOB);
 
     set_reg_var(0);  /* default for v:register is not 0 but '"' */
 
@@ -1918,10 +1923,12 @@ get_lval(
     {
 	if (!(lp->ll_tv->v_type == VAR_LIST && lp->ll_tv->vval.v_list != NULL)
 		&& !(lp->ll_tv->v_type == VAR_DICT
-					   && lp->ll_tv->vval.v_dict != NULL))
+					   && lp->ll_tv->vval.v_dict != NULL)
+		&& !(lp->ll_tv->v_type == VAR_BLOB
+					   && lp->ll_tv->vval.v_blob != NULL))
 	{
 	    if (!quiet)
-		EMSG(_("E689: Can only index a List or Dictionary"));
+		EMSG(_("E689: Can only index a List, Dictionary or Blob"));
 	    return NULL;
 	}
 	if (lp->ll_range)
@@ -1974,11 +1981,14 @@ get_lval(
 		    clear_tv(&var1);
 		    return NULL;
 		}
-		if (rettv != NULL && (rettv->v_type != VAR_LIST
-					       || rettv->vval.v_list == NULL))
+		if (rettv != NULL
+			&& !(rettv->v_type == VAR_LIST
+			    || rettv->vval.v_list != NULL)
+			&& !(rettv->v_type == VAR_BLOB
+			    || rettv->vval.v_blob != NULL))
 		{
 		    if (!quiet)
-			EMSG(_("E709: [:] requires a List value"));
+			EMSG(_("E709: [:] requires a List or Blob value"));
 		    clear_tv(&var1);
 		    return NULL;
 		}
@@ -2097,6 +2107,33 @@ get_lval(
 	    clear_tv(&var1);
 	    lp->ll_tv = &lp->ll_di->di_tv;
 	}
+	else if (lp->ll_tv->v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+	{
+	    /*
+	     * Get the number and item for the only or first index of the List.
+	     */
+	    if (empty1)
+		lp->ll_n1 = 0;
+	    else
+		// is number or string
+		lp->ll_n1 = (long)tv_get_number(&var1);
+	    clear_tv(&var1);
+
+	    if (lp->ll_n1 < 0
+		    || lp->ll_n1 > blob_len(lp->ll_tv->vval.v_blob))
+	    {
+		if (!quiet)
+		    EMSGN(_(e_listidx), lp->ll_n1);
+		return NULL;
+	    }
+	    if (lp->ll_range && !lp->ll_empty2)
+	    {
+		lp->ll_n2 = (long)tv_get_number(&var2);
+		clear_tv(&var2);
+	    }
+	    lp->ll_blob = lp->ll_tv->vval.v_blob;
+	    lp->ll_tv = NULL;
+	}
 	else
 	{
 	    /*
@@ -2201,7 +2238,52 @@ set_var_lval(
     {
 	cc = *endp;
 	*endp = NUL;
-	if (op != NULL && *op != '=')
+	if (lp->ll_blob != NULL)
+	{
+	    int	    error = FALSE, val;
+	    if (op != NULL && *op != '=')
+	    {
+		EMSG2(_(e_letwrong), op);
+		return;
+	    }
+
+	    if (lp->ll_range && rettv->v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+	    {
+		int	i;
+
+		if (blob_len(rettv->vval.v_blob) != blob_len(lp->ll_blob))
+		{
+		    EMSG(_("E972: Blob value has more items than target"));
+		    return;
+		}
+
+		for (i = lp->ll_n1; i <= lp->ll_n2; i++)
+		    blob_set(lp->ll_blob, i,
+			    blob_get(rettv->vval.v_blob, i));
+	    }
+	    else
+	    {
+		val = (int)tv_get_number_chk(rettv, &error);
+		if (!error)
+		{
+		    garray_T *gap = &lp->ll_blob->bv_ga;
+
+		    // Allow for appending a byte.  Setting a byte beyond
+		    // the end is an error otherwise.
+		    if (lp->ll_n1 < gap->ga_len
+			    || (lp->ll_n1 == gap->ga_len
+				&& ga_grow(&lp->ll_blob->bv_ga, 1) == OK))
+		    {
+			blob_set(lp->ll_blob, lp->ll_n1, val);
+			if (lp->ll_n1 == gap->ga_len)
+			    ++gap->ga_len;
+		    }
+		    else
+			EMSG(_(e_invrange));
+		}
+	    }
+	}
+	else if (op != NULL && *op != '=')
 	{
 	    typval_T tv;
 
@@ -2352,6 +2434,20 @@ tv_op(typval_T *tv1, typval_T *tv2, char_u *op)
 	    case VAR_CHANNEL:
 		break;
 
+	    case VAR_BLOB:
+		if (*op != '+' || tv2->v_type != VAR_BLOB)
+		    break;
+		// BLOB += BLOB
+		if (tv1->vval.v_blob != NULL && tv2->vval.v_blob != NULL)
+		{
+		    blob_T  *b1 = tv1->vval.v_blob;
+		    blob_T  *b2 = tv2->vval.v_blob;
+		    int	i, len = blob_len(b2);
+		    for (i = 0; i < len; i++)
+			ga_append(&b1->bv_ga, blob_get(b2, i));
+		}
+		return OK;
+
 	    case VAR_LIST:
 		if (*op != '+' || tv2->v_type != VAR_LIST)
 		    break;
@@ -2451,6 +2547,7 @@ eval_for_line(
     char_u	*expr;
     typval_T	tv;
     list_T	*l;
+    blob_T	*b;
 
     *errp = TRUE;	/* default: there is an error */
 
@@ -2476,24 +2573,38 @@ eval_for_line(
 	*errp = FALSE;
 	if (!skip)
 	{
-	    l = tv.vval.v_list;
-	    if (tv.v_type != VAR_LIST)
+	    if (tv.v_type == VAR_LIST)
 	    {
-		EMSG(_(e_listreq));
-		clear_tv(&tv);
+		l = tv.vval.v_list;
+		if (l == NULL)
+		{
+		    // a null list is like an empty list: do nothing
+		    clear_tv(&tv);
+		}
+		else
+		{
+		    // No need to increment the refcount, it's already set for
+		    // the list being used in "tv".
+		    fi->fi_list = l;
+		    list_add_watch(l, &fi->fi_lw);
+		    fi->fi_lw.lw_item = l->lv_first;
+		}
 	    }
-	    else if (l == NULL)
+	    else if (tv.v_type == VAR_BLOB)
 	    {
-		/* a null list is like an empty list: do nothing */
-		clear_tv(&tv);
+		b = tv.vval.v_blob;
+		if (b == NULL)
+		    clear_tv(&tv);
+		else
+		{
+		    fi->fi_blob = b;
+		    fi->fi_bi = 0;
+		}
 	    }
 	    else
 	    {
-		/* No need to increment the refcount, it's already set for the
-		 * list being used in "tv". */
-		fi->fi_list = l;
-		list_add_watch(l, &fi->fi_lw);
-		fi->fi_lw.lw_item = l->lv_first;
+		EMSG(_(e_listreq));
+		clear_tv(&tv);
 	    }
 	}
     }
@@ -2516,6 +2627,20 @@ next_for_item(void *fi_void, char_u *arg)
     int		result;
     listitem_T	*item;
 
+    if (fi->fi_blob != NULL)
+    {
+	typval_T	tv;
+
+	if (fi->fi_bi >= blob_len(fi->fi_blob))
+	    return FALSE;
+	tv.v_type = VAR_NUMBER;
+	tv.v_lock = VAR_FIXED;
+	tv.vval.v_number = blob_get(fi->fi_blob, fi->fi_bi);
+	++fi->fi_bi;
+	return ex_let_vars(arg, &tv, TRUE,
+			      fi->fi_semicolon, fi->fi_varcount, NULL) == OK;
+    }
+
     item = fi->fi_lw.lw_item;
     if (item == NULL)
 	result = FALSE;
@@ -2955,6 +3080,7 @@ item_lock(typval_T *tv, int deep, int lock)
     list_T	*l;
     listitem_T	*li;
     dict_T	*d;
+    blob_T	*b;
     hashitem_T	*hi;
     int		todo;
 
@@ -2986,6 +3112,15 @@ item_lock(typval_T *tv, int deep, int lock)
 	case VAR_CHANNEL:
 	    break;
 
+	case VAR_BLOB:
+	    if ((b = tv->vval.v_blob) != NULL)
+	    {
+		if (lock)
+		    b->bv_lock |= VAR_LOCKED;
+		else
+		    b->bv_lock &= ~VAR_LOCKED;
+	    }
+	    break;
 	case VAR_LIST:
 	    if ((l = tv->vval.v_list) != NULL)
 	    {
@@ -3609,7 +3744,8 @@ eval5(char_u **arg, typval_T *rettv, int evaluate)
 	if (op != '+' && op != '-' && op != '.')
 	    break;
 
-	if ((op != '+' || rettv->v_type != VAR_LIST)
+	if ((op != '+' || (rettv->v_type != VAR_LIST
+						 && rettv->v_type != VAR_BLOB))
 #ifdef FEAT_FLOAT
 		&& (op == '.' || rettv->v_type != VAR_FLOAT)
 #endif
@@ -3659,6 +3795,25 @@ eval5(char_u **arg, typval_T *rettv, int evaluate)
 		rettv->v_type = VAR_STRING;
 		rettv->vval.v_string = p;
 	    }
+	    else if (op == '+' && rettv->v_type == VAR_BLOB
+						   && var2.v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+	    {
+		blob_T  *b1 = rettv->vval.v_blob;
+		blob_T  *b2 = var2.vval.v_blob;
+		blob_T	*b = blob_alloc();
+		int	i;
+
+		if (b != NULL)
+		{
+		    for (i = 0; i < blob_len(b1); i++)
+			ga_append(&b->bv_ga, blob_get(b1, i));
+		    for (i = 0; i < blob_len(b2); i++)
+			ga_append(&b->bv_ga, blob_get(b2, i));
+
+		    clear_tv(rettv);
+		    rettv_blob_set(rettv, b);
+		}
+	    }
 	    else if (op == '+' && rettv->v_type == VAR_LIST
 						   && var2.v_type == VAR_LIST)
 	    {
@@ -3921,6 +4076,7 @@ eval6(
 /*
  * Handle sixth level expression:
  *  number		number constant
+ *  0zFFFFFFFF		Blob constant
  *  "string"		string constant
  *  'string'		literal string constant
  *  &option-name	option value
@@ -4027,7 +4183,38 @@ eval7(
 		}
 		else
 #endif
+		if (**arg == '0' && ((*arg)[1] == 'z' || (*arg)[1] == 'Z'))
+		{
+		    char_u  *bp;
+		    blob_T  *blob;
+
+		    // Blob constant: 0z0123456789abcdef
+		    if (evaluate)
+			blob = blob_alloc();
+		    for (bp = *arg + 2; vim_isxdigit(bp[0]); bp += 2)
+		    {
+			if (!vim_isxdigit(bp[1]))
+			{
+			    EMSG(_("E973: Blob literal should have an even number of hex characters'"));
+			    vim_free(blob);
+			    ret = FAIL;
+			    break;
+			}
+			if (blob != NULL)
+			    ga_append(&blob->bv_ga,
+					 (hex2nr(*bp) << 4) + hex2nr(*(bp+1)));
+		    }
+		    if (blob != NULL)
+		    {
+			++blob->bv_refcount;
+			rettv->v_type = VAR_BLOB;
+			rettv->vval.v_blob = blob;
+		    }
+		    *arg = bp;
+		}
+		else
 		{
+		    // decimal, hex or octal number
 		    vim_str2nr(*arg, NULL, &len, STR2NR_ALL, &n, NULL, 0);
 		    *arg += len;
 		    if (evaluate)
@@ -4263,6 +4450,7 @@ eval_index(
 {
     int		empty1 = FALSE, empty2 = FALSE;
     typval_T	var1, var2;
+    long	i;
     long	n1, n2 = 0;
     long	len = -1;
     int		range = FALSE;
@@ -4297,6 +4485,7 @@ eval_index(
 	case VAR_NUMBER:
 	case VAR_LIST:
 	case VAR_DICT:
+	case VAR_BLOB:
 	    break;
     }
 
@@ -4439,6 +4628,67 @@ eval_index(
 		rettv->vval.v_string = s;
 		break;
 
+	    case VAR_BLOB:
+		len = blob_len(rettv->vval.v_blob);
+		if (range)
+		{
+		    // The resulting variable is a substring.  If the indexes
+		    // are out of range the result is empty.
+		    if (n1 < 0)
+		    {
+			n1 = len + n1;
+			if (n1 < 0)
+			    n1 = 0;
+		    }
+		    if (n2 < 0)
+			n2 = len + n2;
+		    else if (n2 >= len)
+			n2 = len - 1;
+		    if (n1 >= len || n2 < 0 || n1 > n2)
+		    {
+			clear_tv(rettv);
+			rettv->v_type = VAR_BLOB;
+			rettv->vval.v_blob = NULL;
+		    }
+		    else
+		    {
+			blob_T  *blob = blob_alloc();
+
+			if (blob != NULL)
+			{
+			    if (ga_grow(&blob->bv_ga, n2 - n1 + 1) == FAIL)
+			    {
+				blob_free(blob);
+				return FAIL;
+			    }
+			    blob->bv_ga.ga_len = n2 - n1 + 1;
+			    for (i = n1; i <= n2; i++)
+				blob_set(blob, i - n1,
+					      blob_get(rettv->vval.v_blob, i));
+
+			    clear_tv(rettv);
+			    rettv_blob_set(rettv, blob);
+			}
+		    }
+		}
+		else
+		{
+		    // The resulting variable is a string of a single
+		    // character.  If the index is too big or negative the
+		    // result is empty.
+		    if (n1 < len && n1 >= 0)
+		    {
+			int v = (int)blob_get(rettv->vval.v_blob, n1);
+
+			clear_tv(rettv);
+			rettv->v_type = VAR_NUMBER;
+			rettv->vval.v_number = v;
+		    }
+		    else
+			EMSGN(_(e_blobidx), n1);
+		}
+		break;
+
 	    case VAR_LIST:
 		len = list_len(rettv->vval.v_list);
 		if (n1 < 0)
@@ -4970,6 +5220,9 @@ tv_equal(
 	    --recursive_cnt;
 	    return r;
 
+	case VAR_BLOB:
+	    return blob_equal(tv1->vval.v_blob, tv2->vval.v_blob);
+
 	case VAR_NUMBER:
 	    return tv1->vval.v_number == tv2->vval.v_number;
 
@@ -5602,6 +5855,36 @@ echo_string_core(
 		break;
 	    }
 
+	case VAR_BLOB:
+	    if (tv->vval.v_blob == NULL)
+	    {
+		*tofree = NULL;
+		r = (char_u *)"[]";
+	    }
+	    else
+	    {
+		blob_T	    *b;
+		int	    i;
+		garray_T    ga;
+
+		// Store bytes in the growarray.
+		ga_init2(&ga, 1, 4000);
+		b = tv->vval.v_blob;
+		ga_append(&ga, '[');
+		for (i = 0; i < blob_len(b); i++)
+		{
+		    if (i > 0)
+			ga_concat(&ga, (char_u *)",");
+		    vim_snprintf((char *)numbuf, NUMBUFLEN, "0x%02X",
+			    (int)blob_get(b, i));
+		    ga_concat(&ga, numbuf);
+		}
+		ga_append(&ga, ']');
+		*tofree = ga.ga_data;
+		r = *tofree;
+	    }
+	    break;
+
 	case VAR_LIST:
 	    if (tv->vval.v_list == NULL)
 	    {
@@ -6841,6 +7124,9 @@ free_tv(typval_T *varp)
 	    case VAR_PARTIAL:
 		partial_unref(varp->vval.v_partial);
 		break;
+	    case VAR_BLOB:
+		blob_unref(varp->vval.v_blob);
+		break;
 	    case VAR_LIST:
 		list_unref(varp->vval.v_list);
 		break;
@@ -6887,6 +7173,10 @@ clear_tv(typval_T *varp)
 		partial_unref(varp->vval.v_partial);
 		varp->vval.v_partial = NULL;
 		break;
+	    case VAR_BLOB:
+		blob_unref(varp->vval.v_blob);
+		varp->vval.v_blob = NULL;
+		break;
 	    case VAR_LIST:
 		list_unref(varp->vval.v_list);
 		varp->vval.v_list = NULL;
@@ -6990,6 +7280,9 @@ tv_get_number_chk(typval_T *varp, int *denote)
 	    EMSG(_("E913: Using a Channel as a Number"));
 	    break;
 #endif
+	case VAR_BLOB:
+	    EMSG(_("E974: Using a Blob as a Number"));
+	    break;
 	case VAR_UNKNOWN:
 	    internal_error("tv_get_number(UNKNOWN)");
 	    break;
@@ -7037,6 +7330,9 @@ tv_get_float(typval_T *varp)
 	    EMSG(_("E914: Using a Channel as a Float"));
 	    break;
 # endif
+	case VAR_BLOB:
+	    EMSG(_("E975: Using a Blob as a Float"));
+	    break;
 	case VAR_UNKNOWN:
 	    internal_error("tv_get_float(UNKNOWN)");
 	    break;
@@ -7113,6 +7409,9 @@ tv_get_string_buf_chk(typval_T *varp, char_u *buf)
 	case VAR_SPECIAL:
 	    STRCPY(buf, get_var_special_name(varp->vval.v_number));
 	    return buf;
+        case VAR_BLOB:
+	    EMSG(_("E976: using Blob as a String"));
+	    break;
 	case VAR_JOB:
 #ifdef FEAT_JOB_CHANNEL
 	    {
@@ -7805,6 +8104,15 @@ copy_tv(typval_T *from, typval_T *to)
 		++to->vval.v_partial->pt_refcount;
 	    }
 	    break;
+	case VAR_BLOB:
+	    if (from->vval.v_blob == NULL)
+		to->vval.v_blob = NULL;
+	    else
+	    {
+		to->vval.v_blob = from->vval.v_blob;
+		++to->vval.v_blob->bv_refcount;
+	    }
+	    break;
 	case VAR_LIST:
 	    if (from->vval.v_list == NULL)
 		to->vval.v_list = NULL;
@@ -7863,6 +8171,7 @@ item_copy(
 	case VAR_SPECIAL:
 	case VAR_JOB:
 	case VAR_CHANNEL:
+	case VAR_BLOB:
 	    copy_tv(from, to);
 	    break;
 	case VAR_LIST:
@@ -8601,6 +8910,7 @@ read_viminfo_varlist(vir_T *virp, int writing)
 #endif
 		case 'D': type = VAR_DICT; break;
 		case 'L': type = VAR_LIST; break;
+		case 'B': type = VAR_BLOB; break;
 		case 'X': type = VAR_SPECIAL; break;
 	    }
 
@@ -8608,7 +8918,8 @@ read_viminfo_varlist(vir_T *virp, int writing)
 	    if (tab != NULL)
 	    {
 		tv.v_type = type;
-		if (type == VAR_STRING || type == VAR_DICT || type == VAR_LIST)
+		if (type == VAR_STRING || type == VAR_DICT ||
+			type == VAR_LIST || type == VAR_BLOB)
 		    tv.vval.v_string = viminfo_readstring(virp,
 				       (int)(tab - virp->vir_line + 1), TRUE);
 #ifdef FEAT_FLOAT
@@ -8617,7 +8928,7 @@ read_viminfo_varlist(vir_T *virp, int writing)
 #endif
 		else
 		    tv.vval.v_number = atol((char *)tab + 1);
-		if (type == VAR_DICT || type == VAR_LIST)
+		if (type == VAR_DICT || type == VAR_LIST || type == VAR_BLOB)
 		{
 		    typval_T *etv = eval_expr(tv.vval.v_string, NULL);
 
@@ -8640,7 +8951,8 @@ read_viminfo_varlist(vir_T *virp, int writing)
 
 		if (tv.v_type == VAR_STRING)
 		    vim_free(tv.vval.v_string);
-		else if (tv.v_type == VAR_DICT || tv.v_type == VAR_LIST)
+		else if (tv.v_type == VAR_DICT || tv.v_type == VAR_LIST ||
+			tv.v_type == VAR_BLOB)
 		    clear_tv(&tv);
 	    }
 	}
@@ -8684,6 +8996,7 @@ write_viminfo_varlist(FILE *fp)
 		    case VAR_FLOAT:  s = "FLO"; break;
 		    case VAR_DICT:   s = "DIC"; break;
 		    case VAR_LIST:   s = "LIS"; break;
+		    case VAR_BLOB:   s = "BLO"; break;
 		    case VAR_SPECIAL: s = "XPL"; break;
 
 		    case VAR_UNKNOWN:
@@ -9250,6 +9563,33 @@ typval_compare(
 	    * it means TRUE. */
 	n1 = (type == TYPE_NEQUAL);
     }
+    else if (typ1->v_type == VAR_BLOB || typ2->v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+    {
+	if (type_is)
+	{
+	    n1 = (typ1->v_type == typ2->v_type
+			    && typ1->vval.v_blob == typ2->vval.v_blob);
+	    if (type == TYPE_NEQUAL)
+		n1 = !n1;
+	}
+	else if (typ1->v_type != typ2->v_type
+		|| (type != TYPE_EQUAL && type != TYPE_NEQUAL))
+	{
+	    if (typ1->v_type != typ2->v_type)
+		EMSG(_("E977: Can only compare Blob with Blob"));
+	    else
+		EMSG(_(e_invalblob));
+	    clear_tv(typ1);
+	    return FAIL;
+	}
+	else
+	{
+	    // Compare two Blobs for being equal or unequal.
+	    n1 = blob_equal(typ1->vval.v_blob, typ2->vval.v_blob);
+	    if (type == TYPE_NEQUAL)
+		n1 = !n1;
+	}
+    }
     else if (typ1->v_type == VAR_LIST || typ2->v_type == VAR_LIST)
     {
 	if (type_is)
@@ -10278,6 +10618,7 @@ filter_map(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, int map)
     dict_T	*d = NULL;
     typval_T	save_val;
     typval_T	save_key;
+    blob_T	*b = NULL;
     int		rem;
     int		todo;
     char_u	*ermsg = (char_u *)(map ? "map()" : "filter()");
@@ -10286,7 +10627,12 @@ filter_map(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, int map)
     int		save_did_emsg;
     int		idx = 0;
 
-    if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_LIST)
+    if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+    {
+	if ((b = argvars[0].vval.v_blob) == NULL)
+	    return;
+    }
+    else if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_LIST)
     {
 	if ((l = argvars[0].vval.v_list) == NULL
 	      || (!map && tv_check_lock(l->lv_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE)))
@@ -10353,6 +10699,37 @@ filter_map(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, int map)
 	    }
 	    hash_unlock(ht);
 	}
+	else if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+	{
+	    int		i;
+	    typval_T	tv;
+
+	    vimvars[VV_KEY].vv_type = VAR_NUMBER;
+	    for (i = 0; i < b->bv_ga.ga_len; i++)
+	    {
+		tv.v_type = VAR_NUMBER;
+		tv.vval.v_number = blob_get(b, i);
+		vimvars[VV_KEY].vv_nr = idx;
+		if (filter_map_one(&tv, expr, map, &rem) == FAIL || did_emsg)
+		    break;
+		if (tv.v_type != VAR_NUMBER)
+		{
+		    EMSG(_(e_invalblob));
+		    return;
+		}
+		tv.v_type = VAR_NUMBER;
+		blob_set(b, i, tv.vval.v_number);
+		if (!map && rem)
+		{
+		    char_u *p = (char_u *)argvars[0].vval.v_blob->bv_ga.ga_data;
+
+		    mch_memmove(p + idx, p + i + 1,
+					      (size_t)b->bv_ga.ga_len - i - 1);
+		    --b->bv_ga.ga_len;
+		    --i;
+		}
+	    }
+	}
 	else
 	{
 	    vimvars[VV_KEY].vv_type = VAR_NUMBER;
diff --git a/src/evalfunc.c b/src/evalfunc.c
index 3f8e6152c..a5bae56b8 100644
--- a/src/evalfunc.c
+++ b/src/evalfunc.c
@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ static void f_ch_log(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
 static void f_ch_logfile(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
 static void f_ch_open(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
 static void f_ch_read(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
+static void f_ch_readblob(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
 static void f_ch_readraw(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
 static void f_ch_sendexpr(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
 static void f_ch_sendraw(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv);
@@ -570,6 +571,7 @@ static struct fst
     {"ch_logfile",	1, 2, f_ch_logfile},
     {"ch_open",		1, 2, f_ch_open},
     {"ch_read",		1, 2, f_ch_read},
+    {"ch_readblob",	1, 2, f_ch_readblob},
     {"ch_readraw",	1, 2, f_ch_readraw},
     {"ch_sendexpr",	2, 3, f_ch_sendexpr},
     {"ch_sendraw",	2, 3, f_ch_sendraw},
@@ -1237,6 +1239,7 @@ f_acos(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
 f_add(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
 {
     list_T	*l;
+    blob_T	*b;
 
     rettv->vval.v_number = 1; /* Default: Failed */
     if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_LIST)
@@ -1247,6 +1250,16 @@ f_add(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
 		&& list_append_tv(l, &argvars[1]) == OK)
 	    copy_tv(&argvars[0], rettv);
     }
+    else if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+    {
+	if ((b = argvars[0].vval.v_blob) != NULL
+		&& !tv_check_lock(b->bv_lock,
+					 (char_u *)N_("add() argument"), TRUE))
+	{
+	    ga_append(&b->bv_ga, (char_u)tv_get_number(&argvars[1]));
+	    copy_tv(&argvars[0], rettv);
+	}
+    }
     else
 	EMSG(_(e_listreq));
 }
@@ -2309,7 +2322,16 @@ f_ch_open(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
     static void
 f_ch_read(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
 {
-    common_channel_read(argvars, rettv, FALSE);
+    common_channel_read(argvars, rettv, FALSE, FALSE);
+}
+
+/*
+ * "ch_readblob()" function
+ */
+    static void
+f_ch_readblob(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
+{
+    common_channel_read(argvars, rettv, TRUE, TRUE);
 }
 
 /*
@@ -2318,7 +2340,7 @@ f_ch_read(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
     static void
 f_ch_readraw(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
 {
-    common_channel_read(argvars, rettv, TRUE);
+    common_channel_read(argvars, rettv, TRUE, FALSE);
 }
 
 /*
@@ -3170,6 +3192,12 @@ f_empty(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
 	    n = argvars[0].vval.v_number != VVAL_TRUE;
 	    break;
 
+	case VAR_BLOB:
+	    n = argvars[0].vval.v_blob == NULL
+		|| argvars[0].vval.v_blob->bv_ga.ga_data == NULL
+		|| argvars[0].vval.v_blob->bv_ga.ga_len == 0;
+	    break;
+
 	case VAR_JOB:
 #ifdef FEAT_JOB_CHANNEL
 	    n = argvars[0].vval.v_job == NULL
@@ -4365,7 +4393,21 @@ f_get(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
     dict_T	*d;
     typval_T	*tv = NULL;
 
-    if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_LIST)
+    if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+    {
+	int error = FALSE;
+	int idx = tv_get_number_chk(&argvars[1], &error);
+
+	if (!error)
+	{
+	    rettv->v_type = VAR_NUMBER;
+	    if (idx >= blob_len(argvars[0].vval.v_blob))
+		EMSGN(_(e_blobidx), idx);
+	    else
+		rettv->vval.v_number = blob_get(argvars[0].vval.v_blob, idx);
+	}
+    }
+    else if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_LIST)
     {
 	if ((l = argvars[0].vval.v_list) != NULL)
 	{
@@ -6965,23 +7007,50 @@ f_index(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
 {
     list_T	*l;
     listitem_T	*item;
+    blob_T	*b;
     long	idx = 0;
     int		ic = FALSE;
+    int		error = FALSE;
 
     rettv->vval.v_number = -1;
-    if (argvars[0].v_type != VAR_LIST)
+    if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+    {
+	typval_T	tv;
+	int		start = 0;
+
+	if (argvars[2].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN)
+	{
+	    start = tv_get_number_chk(&argvars[2], &error);
+	    if (error)
+		return;
+	}
+	b = argvars[0].vval.v_blob;
+	if (b == NULL)
+	    return;
+	for (idx = start; idx < blob_len(b); ++idx)
+	{
+	    tv.v_type = VAR_NUMBER;
+	    tv.vval.v_number = blob_get(b, idx);
+	    if (tv_equal(&tv, &argvars[1], ic, FALSE))
+	    {
+		rettv->vval.v_number = idx;
+		return;
+	    }
+	}
+	return;
+    }
+    else if (argvars[0].v_type != VAR_LIST)
     {
 	EMSG(_(e_listreq));
 	return;
     }
+
     l = argvars[0].vval.v_list;
     if (l != NULL)
     {
 	item = l->lv_first;
 	if (argvars[2].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN)
 	{
-	    int		error = FALSE;
-
 	    /* Start at specified item.  Use the cached index that list_find()
 	     * sets, so that a negative number also works. */
 	    item = list_find(l, (long)tv_get_number_chk(&argvars[2], &error));
@@ -7160,10 +7229,45 @@ f_insert(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
     list_T	*l;
     int		error = FALSE;
 
-    if (argvars[0].v_type != VAR_LIST)
+    if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+    {
+	int	    val, len;
+	char_u	    *p;
+
+	len = blob_len(argvars[0].vval.v_blob);
+	if (argvars[2].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN)
+	{
+	    before = (long)tv_get_number_chk(&argvars[2], &error);
+	    if (error)
+		return;		// type error; errmsg already given
+	    if (before < 0 || before > len)
+	    {
+		EMSG2(_(e_invarg2), tv_get_string(&argvars[2]));
+		return;
+	    }
+	}
+	val = tv_get_number_chk(&argvars[1], &error);
+	if (error)
+	    return;
+	if (val < 0 || val > 255)
+	{
+	    EMSG2(_(e_invarg2), tv_get_string(&argvars[1]));
+	    return;
+	}
+
+	if (ga_grow(&argvars[0].vval.v_blob->bv_ga, 1) == FAIL)
+	    return;
+	p = (char_u *)argvars[0].vval.v_blob->bv_ga.ga_data;
+	mch_memmove(p + before + 1, p + before, (size_t)len - before);
+	*(p + before) = val;
+	++argvars[0].vval.v_blob->bv_ga.ga_len;
+
+	copy_tv(&argvars[0], rettv);
+    }
+    else if (argvars[0].v_type != VAR_LIST)
 	EMSG2(_(e_listarg), "insert()");
-    else if ((l = argvars[0].vval.v_list) != NULL
-	    && !tv_check_lock(l->lv_lock, (char_u *)N_("insert() argument"), TRUE))
+    else if ((l = argvars[0].vval.v_list) != NULL && !tv_check_lock(l->lv_lock,
+				      (char_u *)N_("insert() argument"), TRUE))
     {
 	if (argvars[2].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN)
 	    before = (long)tv_get_number_chk(&argvars[2], &error);
@@ -7527,6 +7631,9 @@ f_len(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
 	    rettv->vval.v_number = (varnumber_T)STRLEN(
 					       tv_get_string(&argvars[0]));
 	    break;
+	case VAR_BLOB:
+	    rettv->vval.v_number = blob_len(argvars[0].vval.v_blob);
+	    break;
 	case VAR_LIST:
 	    rettv->vval.v_number = list_len(argvars[0].vval.v_list);
 	    break;
@@ -8926,6 +9033,7 @@ f_range(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
 f_readfile(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
 {
     int		binary = FALSE;
+    int		blob = FALSE;
     int		failed = FALSE;
     char_u	*fname;
     FILE	*fd;
@@ -8944,12 +9052,23 @@ f_readfile(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
     {
 	if (STRCMP(tv_get_string(&argvars[1]), "b") == 0)
 	    binary = TRUE;
+	if (STRCMP(tv_get_string(&argvars[1]), "B") == 0)
+	    blob = TRUE;
+
 	if (argvars[2].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN)
 	    maxline = (long)tv_get_number(&argvars[2]);
     }
 
-    if (rettv_list_alloc(rettv) == FAIL)
-	return;
+    if (blob)
+    {
+	if (rettv_blob_alloc(rettv) == FAIL)
+	    return;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+	if (rettv_list_alloc(rettv) == FAIL)
+	    return;
+    }
 
     /* Always open the file in binary mode, library functions have a mind of
      * their own about CR-LF conversion. */
@@ -8960,6 +9079,17 @@ f_readfile(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
 	return;
     }
 
+    if (blob)
+    {
+	if (read_blob(fd, rettv->vval.v_blob) == FAIL)
+	{
+	    EMSG("cannot read file");
+	    blob_free(rettv->vval.v_blob);
+	}
+	fclose(fd);
+	return;
+    }
+
     while (cnt < maxline || maxline < 0)
     {
 	readlen = (int)fread(buf, 1, io_size, fd);
@@ -9555,6 +9685,7 @@ f_remove(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
     dict_T	*d;
     dictitem_T	*di;
     char_u	*arg_errmsg = (char_u *)N_("remove() argument");
+    int		error = FALSE;
 
     if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_DICT)
     {
@@ -9579,16 +9710,76 @@ f_remove(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
 	    }
 	}
     }
+    else if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+    {
+	idx = (long)tv_get_number_chk(&argvars[1], &error);
+	if (!error)
+	{
+	    blob_T  *b = argvars[0].vval.v_blob;
+	    int	    len = blob_len(b);
+	    char_u  *p;
+
+	    if (idx < 0)
+		// count from the end
+		idx = len + idx;
+	    if (idx < 0 || idx >= len)
+	    {
+		EMSGN(_(e_blobidx), idx);
+		return;
+	    }
+	    if (argvars[2].v_type == VAR_UNKNOWN)
+	    {
+		// Remove one item, return its value.
+		p = (char_u *)b->bv_ga.ga_data;
+		rettv->vval.v_number = (varnumber_T) *(p + idx);
+		mch_memmove(p + idx, p + idx + 1, (size_t)len - idx - 1);
+		--b->bv_ga.ga_len;
+	    }
+	    else
+	    {
+		blob_T  *blob;
+
+		// Remove range of items, return list with values.
+		end = (long)tv_get_number_chk(&argvars[2], &error);
+		if (error)
+		    return;
+		if (end < 0)
+		    // count from the end
+		    end = len + end;
+		if (end >= len || idx > end)
+		{
+		    EMSGN(_(e_blobidx), end);
+		    return;
+		}
+		blob = blob_alloc();
+		if (blob == NULL)
+		    return;
+		blob->bv_ga.ga_len = end - idx + 1;
+		if (ga_grow(&blob->bv_ga, end - idx + 1) == FAIL)
+		{
+		    vim_free(blob);
+		    return;
+		}
+		p = (char_u *)b->bv_ga.ga_data;
+		mch_memmove((char_u *)blob->bv_ga.ga_data, p + idx,
+						      (size_t)(end - idx + 1));
+		++blob->bv_refcount;
+		rettv->v_type = VAR_BLOB;
+		rettv->vval.v_blob = blob;
+
+		mch_memmove(p + idx, p + end + 1, (size_t)(len - end));
+		b->bv_ga.ga_len -= end - idx + 1;
+	    }
+	}
+    }
     else if (argvars[0].v_type != VAR_LIST)
 	EMSG2(_(e_listdictarg), "remove()");
     else if ((l = argvars[0].vval.v_list) != NULL
-	    && !tv_check_lock(l->lv_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE))
+			       && !tv_check_lock(l->lv_lock, arg_errmsg, TRUE))
     {
-	int	    error = FALSE;
-
 	idx = (long)tv_get_number_chk(&argvars[1], &error);
 	if (error)
-	    ;		/* type error: do nothing, errmsg already given */
+	    ;		// type error: do nothing, errmsg already given
 	else if ((item = list_find(l, idx)) == NULL)
 	    EMSGN(_(e_listidx), idx);
 	else
@@ -9602,10 +9793,10 @@ f_remove(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
 	    }
 	    else
 	    {
-		/* Remove range of items, return list with values. */
+		// Remove range of items, return list with values.
 		end = (long)tv_get_number_chk(&argvars[2], &error);
 		if (error)
-		    ;		/* type error: do nothing */
+		    ;		// type error: do nothing
 		else if ((item2 = list_find(l, end)) == NULL)
 		    EMSGN(_(e_listidx), end);
 		else
@@ -9912,6 +10103,22 @@ f_reverse(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
     list_T	*l;
     listitem_T	*li, *ni;
 
+    if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+    {
+	blob_T	*b = argvars[0].vval.v_blob;
+	int	i, len = blob_len(b);
+
+	for (i = 0; i < len / 2; i++)
+	{
+	    int tmp = blob_get(b, i);
+
+	    blob_set(b, i, blob_get(b, len - i - 1));
+	    blob_set(b, len - i - 1, tmp);
+	}
+	rettv_blob_set(rettv, b);
+	return;
+    }
+
     if (argvars[0].v_type != VAR_LIST)
 	EMSG2(_(e_listarg), "reverse()");
     else if ((l = argvars[0].vval.v_list) != NULL
@@ -14198,6 +14405,7 @@ f_type(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
 	     break;
 	case VAR_JOB:     n = VAR_TYPE_JOB; break;
 	case VAR_CHANNEL: n = VAR_TYPE_CHANNEL; break;
+	case VAR_BLOB:    n = VAR_TYPE_BLOB; break;
 	case VAR_UNKNOWN:
 	     internal_error("f_type(UNKNOWN)");
 	     n = -1;
@@ -14556,23 +14764,33 @@ f_writefile(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
     FILE	*fd;
     int		ret = 0;
     listitem_T	*li;
-    list_T	*list;
+    list_T	*list = NULL;
+    blob_T	*blob = NULL;
 
     rettv->vval.v_number = -1;
     if (check_restricted() || check_secure())
 	return;
 
-    if (argvars[0].v_type != VAR_LIST)
+    if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_LIST)
     {
-	EMSG2(_(e_listarg), "writefile()");
-	return;
+	list = argvars[0].vval.v_list;
+	if (list == NULL)
+	    return;
+	for (li = list->lv_first; li != NULL; li = li->li_next)
+	    if (tv_get_string_chk(&li->li_tv) == NULL)
+		return;
     }
-    list = argvars[0].vval.v_list;
-    if (list == NULL)
-	return;
-    for (li = list->lv_first; li != NULL; li = li->li_next)
-	if (tv_get_string_chk(&li->li_tv) == NULL)
+    else if (argvars[0].v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+    {
+	blob = argvars[0].vval.v_blob;
+	if (blob == NULL)
 	    return;
+    }
+    else
+    {
+	EMSG2(_(e_invarg2), "writefile()");
+	return;
+    }
 
     if (argvars[2].v_type != VAR_UNKNOWN)
     {
@@ -14604,6 +14822,18 @@ f_writefile(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv)
 	EMSG2(_(e_notcreate), *fname == NUL ? (char_u *)_("<empty>") : fname);
 	ret = -1;
     }
+    else if (blob)
+    {
+	if (write_blob(fd, blob) == FAIL)
+	    ret = -1;
+#ifdef HAVE_FSYNC
+	else if (do_fsync)
+	    // Ignore the error, the user wouldn't know what to do about it.
+	    // May happen for a device.
+	    vim_ignored = fsync(fileno(fd));
+#endif
+	fclose(fd);
+    }
     else
     {
 	if (write_list(fd, list, binary) == FAIL)
diff --git a/src/globals.h b/src/globals.h
index 3f67d1377..c3930add4 100644
--- a/src/globals.h
+++ b/src/globals.h
@@ -1524,6 +1524,8 @@ EXTERN char_u e_readonlysbx[]	INIT(= N_("E794: Cannot set variable in the sandbo
 EXTERN char_u e_emptykey[]	INIT(= N_("E713: Cannot use empty key for Dictionary"));
 EXTERN char_u e_dictreq[]	INIT(= N_("E715: Dictionary required"));
 EXTERN char_u e_listidx[]	INIT(= N_("E684: list index out of range: %ld"));
+EXTERN char_u e_blobidx[]	INIT(= N_("E979: Blob index out of range: %ld"));
+EXTERN char_u e_invalblob[]	INIT(= N_("E978: Invalid operation for Blob"));
 EXTERN char_u e_toomanyarg[]	INIT(= N_("E118: Too many arguments for function: %s"));
 EXTERN char_u e_dictkey[]	INIT(= N_("E716: Key not present in Dictionary: %s"));
 EXTERN char_u e_listreq[]	INIT(= N_("E714: List required"));
diff --git a/src/if_perl.xs b/src/if_perl.xs
index 627f43707..251daf424 100644
--- a/src/if_perl.xs
+++ b/src/if_perl.xs
@@ -236,6 +236,7 @@ typedef int perl_key;
 # else
 #  define Perl_sv_2pv dll_Perl_sv_2pv
 # endif
+# define Perl_sv_2pvbyte dll_Perl_sv_2pvbyte
 # define Perl_sv_bless dll_Perl_sv_bless
 # if (PERL_REVISION == 5) && (PERL_VERSION >= 8)
 #  define Perl_sv_catpvn_flags dll_Perl_sv_catpvn_flags
@@ -388,6 +389,7 @@ static char* (*Perl_sv_2pv_nolen)(pTHX_ SV*);
 # else
 static char* (*Perl_sv_2pv)(pTHX_ SV*, STRLEN*);
 # endif
+static char* (*Perl_sv_2pvbyte)(pTHX_ SV*, STRLEN*);
 static SV* (*Perl_sv_bless)(pTHX_ SV*, HV*);
 # if (PERL_REVISION == 5) && (PERL_VERSION >= 8)
 static void (*Perl_sv_catpvn_flags)(pTHX_ SV* , const char*, STRLEN, I32);
@@ -543,6 +545,7 @@ static struct {
 # else
     {"Perl_sv_2pv", (PERL_PROC*)&Perl_sv_2pv},
 # endif
+    {"Perl_sv_2pvbyte", (PERL_PROC*)&Perl_sv_2pvbyte},
 # ifdef PERL589_OR_LATER
     {"Perl_sv_2iv_flags", (PERL_PROC*)&Perl_sv_2iv_flags},
     {"Perl_newXS_flags", (PERL_PROC*)&Perl_newXS_flags},
@@ -1556,6 +1559,27 @@ Eval(str)
 	    vim_free(value);
 	}
 
+SV*
+Blob(SV* sv)
+    PREINIT:
+    STRLEN  len;
+    char    *s;
+    int	    i;
+    char    buf[3];
+    SV*	    newsv;
+
+    CODE:
+    s = SvPVbyte(sv, len);
+    newsv = newSVpv("0z", 2);
+    for (i = 0; i < len; i++)
+    {
+	sprintf(buf, "%02X", s[i]);
+	sv_catpvn(newsv, buf, 2);
+    }
+    RETVAL = newsv;
+    OUTPUT:
+    RETVAL
+
 void
 Buffers(...)
 
diff --git a/src/if_py_both.h b/src/if_py_both.h
index 1c159260c..0b8a3600e 100644
--- a/src/if_py_both.h
+++ b/src/if_py_both.h
@@ -867,6 +867,10 @@ VimToPython(typval_T *our_tv, int depth, PyObject *lookup_dict)
 	}
 	return ret;
     }
+    else if (our_tv->v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+	ret = PyBytes_FromStringAndSize(
+		(char*) our_tv->vval.v_blob->bv_ga.ga_data,
+		(Py_ssize_t) our_tv->vval.v_blob->bv_ga.ga_len);
     else
     {
 	Py_INCREF(Py_None);
@@ -6394,6 +6398,10 @@ ConvertToPyObject(typval_T *tv)
 				tv->vval.v_partial->pt_argc, argv,
 				tv->vval.v_partial->pt_dict,
 				tv->vval.v_partial->pt_auto);
+	case VAR_BLOB:
+	    return PyBytes_FromStringAndSize(
+		(char*) tv->vval.v_blob->bv_ga.ga_data,
+		(Py_ssize_t) tv->vval.v_blob->bv_ga.ga_len);
 	case VAR_UNKNOWN:
 	case VAR_CHANNEL:
 	case VAR_JOB:
diff --git a/src/if_python.c b/src/if_python.c
index 812497a7f..73193822b 100644
--- a/src/if_python.c
+++ b/src/if_python.c
@@ -1575,6 +1575,7 @@ do_pyeval (char_u *str, typval_T *rettv)
 	case VAR_SPECIAL:
 	case VAR_JOB:
 	case VAR_CHANNEL:
+	case VAR_BLOB:
 	    break;
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/if_python3.c b/src/if_python3.c
index 75d212274..a41d6acff 100644
--- a/src/if_python3.c
+++ b/src/if_python3.c
@@ -232,6 +232,8 @@ typedef PySliceObject PySliceObject_T;
 # endif
 # undef PyBytes_FromString
 # define PyBytes_FromString py3_PyBytes_FromString
+# undef PyBytes_FromStringAndSize
+# define PyBytes_FromStringAndSize py3_PyBytes_FromStringAndSize
 # define PyFloat_FromDouble py3_PyFloat_FromDouble
 # define PyFloat_AsDouble py3_PyFloat_AsDouble
 # define PyObject_GenericGetAttr py3_PyObject_GenericGetAttr
@@ -394,6 +396,7 @@ static PyObject* (*py3_PyUnicode_AsEncodedString)(PyObject *unicode, const char*
 static char* (*py3_PyBytes_AsString)(PyObject *bytes);
 static int (*py3_PyBytes_AsStringAndSize)(PyObject *bytes, char **buffer, Py_ssize_t *length);
 static PyObject* (*py3_PyBytes_FromString)(char *str);
+static PyObject* (*py3_PyBytes_FromStringAndSize)(char *str, Py_ssize_t length);
 static PyObject* (*py3_PyFloat_FromDouble)(double num);
 static double (*py3_PyFloat_AsDouble)(PyObject *);
 static PyObject* (*py3_PyObject_GenericGetAttr)(PyObject *obj, PyObject *name);
@@ -559,6 +562,7 @@ static struct
     {"PyBytes_AsString", (PYTHON_PROC*)&py3_PyBytes_AsString},
     {"PyBytes_AsStringAndSize", (PYTHON_PROC*)&py3_PyBytes_AsStringAndSize},
     {"PyBytes_FromString", (PYTHON_PROC*)&py3_PyBytes_FromString},
+    {"PyBytes_FromStringAndSize", (PYTHON_PROC*)&py3_PyBytes_FromStringAndSize},
     {"PyFloat_FromDouble", (PYTHON_PROC*)&py3_PyFloat_FromDouble},
     {"PyFloat_AsDouble", (PYTHON_PROC*)&py3_PyFloat_AsDouble},
     {"PyObject_GenericGetAttr", (PYTHON_PROC*)&py3_PyObject_GenericGetAttr},
@@ -1680,6 +1684,7 @@ do_py3eval (char_u *str, typval_T *rettv)
 	case VAR_SPECIAL:
 	case VAR_JOB:
 	case VAR_CHANNEL:
+	case VAR_BLOB:
 	    break;
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/if_ruby.c b/src/if_ruby.c
index c2a2ec3f7..dc5511eaa 100644
--- a/src/if_ruby.c
+++ b/src/if_ruby.c
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@
 #  define rb_cFloat		(*dll_rb_cFloat)
 # endif
 # define rb_cNilClass		(*dll_rb_cNilClass)
+# define rb_cString		(*dll_rb_cString)
 # define rb_cSymbol		(*dll_rb_cSymbol)
 # define rb_cTrueClass		(*dll_rb_cTrueClass)
 # if defined(DYNAMIC_RUBY_VER) && DYNAMIC_RUBY_VER >= 18
@@ -219,6 +220,7 @@ static void ruby_vim_init(void);
  */
 # define rb_assoc_new			dll_rb_assoc_new
 # define rb_cObject			(*dll_rb_cObject)
+# define rb_class_new_instance		dll_rb_class_new_instance
 # define rb_check_type			dll_rb_check_type
 # ifdef USE_TYPEDDATA
 #  define rb_check_typeddata		dll_rb_check_typeddata
@@ -365,8 +367,10 @@ VALUE *dll_rb_cFloat;
 # endif
 VALUE *dll_rb_cNilClass;
 static VALUE *dll_rb_cObject;
+VALUE *dll_rb_cString;
 VALUE *dll_rb_cSymbol;
 VALUE *dll_rb_cTrueClass;
+static VALUE (*dll_rb_class_new_instance) (int,VALUE*,VALUE);
 static void (*dll_rb_check_type) (VALUE,int);
 # ifdef USE_TYPEDDATA
 static void *(*dll_rb_check_typeddata) (VALUE,const rb_data_type_t *);
@@ -579,8 +583,10 @@ static struct
 # endif
     {"rb_cNilClass", (RUBY_PROC*)&dll_rb_cNilClass},
     {"rb_cObject", (RUBY_PROC*)&dll_rb_cObject},
+    {"rb_cString", (RUBY_PROC*)&dll_rb_cString},
     {"rb_cSymbol", (RUBY_PROC*)&dll_rb_cSymbol},
     {"rb_cTrueClass", (RUBY_PROC*)&dll_rb_cTrueClass},
+    {"rb_class_new_instance", (RUBY_PROC*)&dll_rb_class_new_instance},
     {"rb_check_type", (RUBY_PROC*)&dll_rb_check_type},
 # ifdef USE_TYPEDDATA
     {"rb_check_typeddata", (RUBY_PROC*)&dll_rb_check_typeddata},
@@ -1164,7 +1170,13 @@ static VALUE vim_to_ruby(typval_T *tv)
 	    result = Qtrue;
 	else if (tv->vval.v_number == VVAL_FALSE)
 	    result = Qfalse;
-    } /* else return Qnil; */
+    }
+    else if (tv->v_type == VAR_BLOB)
+    {
+	result = rb_str_new(tv->vval.v_blob->bv_ga.ga_data,
+		tv->vval.v_blob->bv_ga.ga_len);
+    }
+    /* else return Qnil; */
 
     return result;
 }
@@ -1242,6 +1254,19 @@ static buf_T *get_buf(VALUE obj)
     return buf;
 }
 
+static VALUE vim_blob(VALUE self UNUSED, VALUE str)
+{
+    VALUE result = rb_str_new("0z", 2);
+    char    buf[4];
+    int	i;
+    for (i = 0; i < RSTRING_LEN(str); i++)
+    {
+	sprintf(buf, "%02X", RSTRING_PTR(str)[i]);
+	rb_str_concat(result, rb_str_new_cstr(buf));
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+
 static VALUE buffer_s_current(void)
 {
     return buffer_new(curbuf);
@@ -1662,6 +1687,7 @@ static void ruby_vim_init(void)
     rb_define_module_function(mVIM, "set_option", vim_set_option, 1);
     rb_define_module_function(mVIM, "command", vim_command, 1);
     rb_define_module_function(mVIM, "evaluate", vim_evaluate, 1);
+    rb_define_module_function(mVIM, "blob", vim_blob, 1);
 
     eDeletedBufferError = rb_define_class_under(mVIM, "DeletedBufferError",
 						rb_eStandardError);
diff --git a/src/json.c b/src/json.c
index d9da10d35..d8ccfe8fb 100644
--- a/src/json.c
+++ b/src/json.c
@@ -195,8 +195,10 @@ json_encode_item(garray_T *gap, typval_T *val, int copyID, int options)
 {
     char_u	numbuf[NUMBUFLEN];
     char_u	*res;
+    blob_T	*b;
     list_T	*l;
     dict_T	*d;
+    int		i;
 
     switch (val->v_type)
     {
@@ -233,6 +235,25 @@ json_encode_item(garray_T *gap, typval_T *val, int copyID, int options)
 	    EMSG(_(e_invarg));
 	    return FAIL;
 
+	case VAR_BLOB:
+	    b = val->vval.v_blob;
+	    if (b == NULL || b->bv_ga.ga_len == 0)
+		ga_concat(gap, (char_u *)"[]");
+	    else
+	    {
+		ga_append(gap, '[');
+		for (i = 0; i < b->bv_ga.ga_len; i++)
+		{
+		    if (i > 0)
+			ga_concat(gap, (char_u *)",");
+		    vim_snprintf((char *)numbuf, NUMBUFLEN, "%d",
+			    (int)blob_get(b, i));
+		    ga_concat(gap, numbuf);
+		}
+		ga_append(gap, ']');
+	    }
+	    break;
+
 	case VAR_LIST:
 	    l = val->vval.v_list;
 	    if (l == NULL)
diff --git a/src/netbeans.c b/src/netbeans.c
index c8084dfe6..ebacf6094 100644
--- a/src/netbeans.c
+++ b/src/netbeans.c
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ netbeans_parse_messages(void)
 	if (*p == NUL)
 	{
 	    own_node = TRUE;
-	    buffer = channel_get(nb_channel, PART_SOCK);
+	    buffer = channel_get(nb_channel, PART_SOCK, NULL);
 	    /* "node" is now invalid! */
 	}
 	else
diff --git a/src/proto.h b/src/proto.h
index cbd446015..af34dc996 100644
--- a/src/proto.h
+++ b/src/proto.h
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ extern int _stricoll(char *a, char *b);
 # include "hashtab.pro"
 # include "json.pro"
 # include "list.pro"
+# include "blob.pro"
 # include "main.pro"
 # include "mark.pro"
 # include "memfile.pro"
diff --git a/src/proto/blob.pro b/src/proto/blob.pro
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5e457ddac
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/proto/blob.pro
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+/* blob.c */
+blob_T *blob_alloc(void);
+int rettv_blob_alloc(typval_T *rettv);
+void rettv_blob_set(typval_T *rettv, blob_T *b);
+void blob_free(blob_T *b);
+void blob_unref(blob_T *b);
+long blob_len(blob_T *b);
+char_u blob_get(blob_T *b, int idx);
+void blob_set(blob_T *b, int idx, char_u c);
+int blob_equal(blob_T *b1, blob_T *b2);
+int read_blob(FILE *fd, blob_T *blob);
+int write_blob(FILE *fd, blob_T *blob);
+/* vim: set ft=c : */
diff --git a/src/proto/channel.pro b/src/proto/channel.pro
index e11cd3a14..0f5b65546 100644
--- a/src/proto/channel.pro
+++ b/src/proto/channel.pro
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ void channel_write_any_lines(void);
 void channel_write_new_lines(buf_T *buf);
 readq_T *channel_peek(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part);
 char_u *channel_first_nl(readq_T *node);
-char_u *channel_get(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part);
+char_u *channel_get(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part, int *outlen);
 void channel_consume(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part, int len);
 int channel_collapse(channel_T *channel, ch_part_T part, int want_nl);
 int channel_can_write_to(channel_T *channel);
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ void channel_close(channel_T *channel, int invoke_close_cb);
 void channel_close_in(channel_T *channel);
 void channel_clear(channel_T *channel);
 void channel_free_all(void);
-void common_channel_read(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, int raw);
+void common_channel_read(typval_T *argvars, typval_T *rettv, int raw, int blob);
 channel_T *channel_fd2channel(sock_T fd, ch_part_T *partp);
 void channel_handle_events(int only_keep_open);
 int channel_any_keep_open(void);
diff --git a/src/structs.h b/src/structs.h
index a53d1d062..d57327202 100644
--- a/src/structs.h
+++ b/src/structs.h
@@ -1251,6 +1251,7 @@ typedef double	float_T;
 typedef struct listvar_S list_T;
 typedef struct dictvar_S dict_T;
 typedef struct partial_S partial_T;
+typedef struct blobvar_S blob_T;
 
 typedef struct jobvar_S job_T;
 typedef struct readq_S readq_T;
@@ -1272,6 +1273,7 @@ typedef enum
     VAR_SPECIAL, // "v_number" is used
     VAR_JOB,	 // "v_job" is used
     VAR_CHANNEL, // "v_channel" is used
+    VAR_BLOB,	 // "v_blob" is used
 } vartype_T;
 
 /*
@@ -1295,6 +1297,7 @@ typedef struct
 	job_T		*v_job;		/* job value (can be NULL!) */
 	channel_T	*v_channel;	/* channel value (can be NULL!) */
 #endif
+	blob_T		*v_blob;	/* blob value (can be NULL!) */
     }		vval;
 } typval_T;
 
@@ -1401,6 +1404,16 @@ struct dictvar_S
     dict_T	*dv_used_prev;	/* previous dict in used dicts list */
 };
 
+/*
+ * Structure to hold info about a blob.
+ */
+struct blobvar_S
+{
+    garray_T	bv_ga;		// growarray with the data
+    int		bv_refcount;	// reference count
+    char	bv_lock;	// zero, VAR_LOCKED, VAR_FIXED
+};
+
 #if defined(FEAT_EVAL) || defined(PROTO)
 typedef struct funccall_S funccall_T;
 
@@ -3526,6 +3539,7 @@ typedef struct lval_S
     dict_T	*ll_dict;	/* The Dictionary or NULL */
     dictitem_T	*ll_di;		/* The dictitem or NULL */
     char_u	*ll_newkey;	/* New key for Dict in alloc. mem or NULL. */
+    blob_T	*ll_blob;	/* The Blob or NULL */
 } lval_T;
 
 /* Structure used to save the current state.  Used when executing Normal mode
diff --git a/src/testdir/Make_all.mak b/src/testdir/Make_all.mak
index 8d8351643..6ea0c4518 100644
--- a/src/testdir/Make_all.mak
+++ b/src/testdir/Make_all.mak
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ NEW_TESTS = \
 	test_backspace_opt \
 	test_backup \
 	test_behave \
+	test_blob \
 	test_blockedit \
 	test_breakindent \
 	test_bufline \
@@ -283,6 +284,7 @@ NEW_TESTS_RES = \
 	test_autocmd.res \
 	test_autoload.res \
 	test_backspace_opt.res \
+	test_blob.res \
 	test_blockedit.res \
 	test_breakindent.res \
 	test_bufwintabinfo.res \
diff --git a/src/testdir/test_blob.vim b/src/testdir/test_blob.vim
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4ab28eb4f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/testdir/test_blob.vim
@@ -0,0 +1,179 @@
+" Tests for the Blob types
+
+func TearDown()
+  " Run garbage collection after every test
+  call test_garbagecollect_now()
+endfunc
+
+" Tests for Blob type
+
+" Blob creation from constant
+func Test_blob_create()
+  let b = 0zDEADBEEF
+  call assert_equal(v:t_blob, type(b))
+  call assert_equal(4, len(b))
+  call assert_equal(0xDE, b[0])
+  call assert_equal(0xAD, b[1])
+  call assert_equal(0xBE, b[2])
+  call assert_equal(0xEF, b[3])
+  call assert_fails('let x = b[4]')
+
+  call assert_equal(0xDE, get(b, 0))
+  call assert_equal(0xEF, get(b, 3))
+  call assert_fails('let x = get(b, 4)')
+endfunc
+
+" assignment to a blob
+func Test_blob_assign()
+  let b = 0zDEADBEEF
+  let b2 = b[1:2]
+  call assert_equal(0zADBE, b2)
+
+  let bcopy = b[:]
+  call assert_equal(b, bcopy)
+  call assert_false(b is bcopy)
+endfunc
+
+func Test_blob_to_string()
+  let b = 0zDEADBEEF
+  call assert_equal('[0xDE,0xAD,0xBE,0xEF]', string(b))
+  call remove(b, 0, 3)
+  call assert_equal('[]', string(b))
+endfunc
+
+func Test_blob_compare()
+  let b1 = 0z0011
+  let b2 = 0z1100
+  call assert_false(b1 == b2)
+  call assert_true(b1 != b2)
+  call assert_true(b1 == 0z0011)
+
+  call assert_false(b1 is b2)
+  let b2 = b1
+  call assert_true(b1 is b2)
+
+  call assert_fails('let x = b1 > b2')
+  call assert_fails('let x = b1 < b2')
+  call assert_fails('let x = b1 - b2')
+  call assert_fails('let x = b1 / b2')
+  call assert_fails('let x = b1 * b2')
+endfunc
+
+" test for range assign
+func Test_blob_range_assign()
+  let b = 0z00
+  let b[1] = 0x11
+  let b[2] = 0x22
+  call assert_equal(0z001122, b)
+  call assert_fails('let b[4] = 0x33')
+endfunc
+
+func Test_blob_for_loop()
+  let blob = 0z00010203
+  let i = 0
+  for byte in blob
+    call assert_equal(i, byte)
+    let i += 1
+  endfor
+
+  let blob = 0z00
+  call remove(blob, 0)
+  call assert_equal(0, len(blob))
+  for byte in blob
+    call assert_error('loop over empty blob')
+  endfor
+endfunc
+
+func Test_blob_concatenate()
+  let b = 0z0011
+  let b += 0z2233
+  call assert_equal(0z00112233, b)
+
+  call assert_fails('let b += "a"')
+  call assert_fails('let b += 88')
+
+  let b = 0zDEAD + 0zBEEF
+  call assert_equal(0zDEADBEEF, b)
+endfunc
+
+" Test removing items in blob
+func Test_blob_func_remove()
+  " Test removing 1 element
+  let b = 0zDEADBEEF
+  call assert_equal(0xDE, remove(b, 0))
+  call assert_equal(0zADBEEF, b)
+
+  let b = 0zDEADBEEF
+  call assert_equal(0xEF, remove(b, -1))
+  call assert_equal(0zDEADBE, b)
+
+  let b = 0zDEADBEEF
+  call assert_equal(0xAD, remove(b, 1))
+  call assert_equal(0zDEBEEF, b)
+
+  " Test removing range of element(s)
+  let b = 0zDEADBEEF
+  call assert_equal(0zBE, remove(b, 2, 2))
+  call assert_equal(0zDEADEF, b)
+
+  let b = 0zDEADBEEF
+  call assert_equal(0zADBE, remove(b, 1, 2))
+  call assert_equal(0zDEEF, b)
+
+  " Test invalid cases
+  let b = 0zDEADBEEF
+  call assert_fails("call remove(b, 5)", 'E979:')
+  call assert_fails("call remove(b, 1, 5)", 'E979:')
+  call assert_fails("call remove(b, 3, 2)", 'E979:')
+  call assert_fails("call remove(1, 0)", 'E712:')
+  call assert_fails("call remove(b, b)", 'E974:')
+endfunc
+
+func Test_blob_read_write()
+  let b = 0zDEADBEEF
+  call writefile(b, 'Xblob')
+  let br = readfile('Xblob', 'B')
+  call assert_equal(b, br)
+  call delete('Xblob')
+endfunc
+
+" filter() item in blob
+func Test_blob_filter()
+  let b = 0zDEADBEEF
+  call filter(b, 'v:val != 0xEF')
+  call assert_equal(0zDEADBE, b)
+endfunc
+
+" map() item in blob
+func Test_blob_map()
+  let b = 0zDEADBEEF
+  call map(b, 'v:val + 1')
+  call assert_equal(0zDFAEBFF0, b)
+endfunc
+
+func Test_blob_index()
+  call assert_equal(2, index(0zDEADBEEF, 0xBE))
+  call assert_equal(-1, index(0zDEADBEEF, 0))
+endfunc
+
+func Test_blob_insert()
+  let b = 0zDEADBEEF
+  call insert(b, 0x33)
+  call assert_equal(0z33DEADBEEF, b)
+
+  let b = 0zDEADBEEF
+  call insert(b, 0x33, 2)
+  call assert_equal(0zDEAD33BEEF, b)
+endfunc
+
+func Test_blob_reverse()
+  call assert_equal(0zEFBEADDE, reverse(0zDEADBEEF))
+  call assert_equal(0zBEADDE, reverse(0zDEADBE))
+  call assert_equal(0zADDE, reverse(0zDEAD))
+  call assert_equal(0zDE, reverse(0zDE))
+endfunc
+
+func Test_blob_json_encode()
+  call assert_equal('[222,173,190,239]', json_encode(0zDEADBEEF))
+  call assert_equal('[]', json_encode(0z))
+endfunc
diff --git a/src/testdir/test_channel.vim b/src/testdir/test_channel.vim
index 8f4fb0fdc..d3f36f88e 100644
--- a/src/testdir/test_channel.vim
+++ b/src/testdir/test_channel.vim
@@ -516,6 +516,51 @@ func Test_raw_pipe()
   call assert_equal(1, found)
 endfunc
 
+func Test_raw_pipe_blob()
+  if !has('job')
+    return
+  endif
+  call ch_log('Test_raw_pipe_blob()')
+  " Add a dummy close callback to avoid that messages are dropped when calling
+  " ch_canread().
+  " Also test the non-blocking option.
+  let job = job_start(s:python . " test_channel_pipe.py",
+	\ {'mode': 'raw', 'drop': 'never', 'noblock': 1})
+  call assert_equal(v:t_job, type(job))
+  call assert_equal("run", job_status(job))
+
+  call assert_equal("open", ch_status(job))
+  call assert_equal("open", ch_status(job), {"part": "out"})
+
+  try
+    " Create a blob with the echo command and write it.
+    let blob = 0z00
+    let cmd = "echo something\n"
+    for i in range(0, len(cmd) - 1)
+      let blob[i] = char2nr(cmd[i])
+    endfor
+    call assert_equal(len(cmd), len(blob))
+    call ch_sendraw(job, blob)
+
+    " Read a blob with the reply.
+    let msg = ch_readblob(job)
+    let expected = 'something'
+    for i in range(0, len(expected) - 1)
+      call assert_equal(char2nr(expected[i]), msg[i])
+    endfor
+
+    let reply = ch_evalraw(job, "quit\n", {'timeout': 100})
+    call assert_equal("Goodbye!\n", substitute(reply, "\r", "", 'g'))
+  finally
+    call job_stop(job)
+  endtry
+
+  let g:Ch_job = job
+  call WaitForAssert({-> assert_equal("dead", job_status(g:Ch_job))})
+  let info = job_info(job)
+  call assert_equal("dead", info.status)
+endfunc
+
 func Test_nl_pipe()
   if !has('job')
     return
diff --git a/src/version.c b/src/version.c
index 11b555fcf..448e27d87 100644
--- a/src/version.c
+++ b/src/version.c
@@ -796,6 +796,8 @@ static char *(features[]) =
 static int included_patches[] =
 {   /* Add new patch number below this line */
 /**/
+    735,
+/**/
     734,
 /**/
     733,
diff --git a/src/vim.h b/src/vim.h
index 150f39ce6..7f29b613a 100644
--- a/src/vim.h
+++ b/src/vim.h
@@ -1994,13 +1994,14 @@ typedef int sock_T;
 #define VV_TYPE_NONE	78
 #define VV_TYPE_JOB	79
 #define VV_TYPE_CHANNEL	80
-#define VV_TERMRFGRESP	81
-#define VV_TERMRBGRESP	82
-#define VV_TERMU7RESP	83
-#define VV_TERMSTYLERESP 84
-#define VV_TERMBLINKRESP 85
-#define VV_EVENT	86
-#define VV_LEN		87	/* number of v: vars */
+#define VV_TYPE_BLOB	81
+#define VV_TERMRFGRESP	82
+#define VV_TERMRBGRESP	83
+#define VV_TERMU7RESP	84
+#define VV_TERMSTYLERESP 85
+#define VV_TERMBLINKRESP 86
+#define VV_EVENT	87
+#define VV_LEN		88	/* number of v: vars */
 
 /* used for v_number in VAR_SPECIAL */
 #define VVAL_FALSE	0L
@@ -2019,6 +2020,7 @@ typedef int sock_T;
 #define VAR_TYPE_NONE	    7
 #define VAR_TYPE_JOB	    8
 #define VAR_TYPE_CHANNEL    9
+#define VAR_TYPE_BLOB	    10
 
 #ifdef FEAT_CLIPBOARD