diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'runtime/doc/syntax.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | runtime/doc/syntax.txt | 4161 |
1 files changed, 4161 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/runtime/doc/syntax.txt b/runtime/doc/syntax.txt new file mode 100644 index 000000000..db322355b --- /dev/null +++ b/runtime/doc/syntax.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4161 @@ +*syntax.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2004 Jun 09 + + + VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar + + +Syntax highlighting *syntax* *syntax-highlighting* *coloring* + +Syntax highlighting enables Vim to show parts of the text in another font or +color. Those parts can be specific keywords or text matching a pattern. Vim +doesn't parse the whole file (to keep it fast), so the highlighting has its +limitations. Lexical highlighting might be a better name, but since everybody +calls it syntax highlighting we'll stick with that. + +Vim supports syntax highlighting on all terminals. But since most ordinary +terminals have very limited highlighting possibilities, it works best in the +GUI version, gvim. + +In the User Manual: +|usr_06.txt| introduces syntax highlighting. +|usr_44.txt| introduces writing a syntax file. + +1. Quick start |:syn-qstart| +2. Syntax files |:syn-files| +3. Syntax loading procedure |syntax-loading| +4. Syntax file remarks |:syn-file-remarks| +5. Defining a syntax |:syn-define| +6. :syntax arguments |:syn-arguments| +7. Syntax patterns |:syn-pattern| +8. Syntax clusters |:syn-cluster| +9. Including syntax files |:syn-include| +10. Synchronizing |:syn-sync| +11. Listing syntax items |:syntax| +12. Highlight command |:highlight| +13. Linking groups |:highlight-link| +14. Cleaning up |:syn-clear| +15. Highlighting tags |tag-highlight| +16. Color xterms |xterm-color| + +{Vi does not have any of these commands} + +Syntax highlighting is not available when the |+syntax| feature has been +disabled at compile time. + +============================================================================== +1. Quick start *:syn-qstart* + + *:syn-enable* *:syntax-enable* +This command switches on syntax highlighting: > + + :syntax enable + +What this command actually does is to execute the command > + :source $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/syntax.vim + +If the VIM environment variable is not set, Vim will try to find +the path in another way (see |$VIMRUNTIME|). Usually this works just +fine. If it doesn't, try setting the VIM environment variable to the +directory where the Vim stuff is located. For example, if your syntax files +are in the "/usr/vim/vim50/syntax" directory, set $VIMRUNTIME to +"/usr/vim/vim50". You must do this in the shell, before starting Vim. + + *:syn-on* *:syntax-on* +The ":syntax enable" command will keep your current color settings. This +allows using ":highlight" commands to set your preferred colors before or +after using this command. If you want Vim to overrule your settings with the +defaults, use: > + :syntax on +< + *:hi-normal* *:highlight-normal* +If you are running in the GUI, you can get white text on a black background +with: > + :highlight Normal guibg=Black guifg=White +For a color terminal see |:hi-normal-cterm|. +For setting up your own colors syntax highlighting see |syncolor|. + +NOTE: The syntax files on MS-DOS and Windows have lines that end in <CR><NL>. +The files for Unix end in <NL>. This means you should use the right type of +file for your system. Although on MS-DOS and Windows the right format is +automatically selected if the 'fileformats' option is not empty. + +NOTE: When using reverse video ("gvim -fg white -bg black"), the default value +of 'background' will not be set until the GUI window is opened, which is after +reading the .gvimrc. This will cause the wrong default highlighting to be +used. To set the default value of 'background' before switching on +highlighting, include the ":gui" command in the .gvimrc: > + + :gui " open window and set default for 'background' + :syntax on " start highlighting, use 'background' to set colors + +NOTE: Using ":gui" in the .gvimrc means that "gvim -f" won't start in the +foreground! Use ":gui -f" then. + + +You can toggle the syntax on/off with this command > + :if exists("syntax_on") | syntax off | else | syntax enable | endif + +To put this into a mapping, you can use: > + :map <F7> :if exists("syntax_on") <Bar> + \ syntax off <Bar> + \ else <Bar> + \ syntax enable <Bar> + \ endif <CR> +[using the |<>| notation, type this literally] + +Details +The ":syntax" commands are implemented by sourcing a file. To see exactly how +this works, look in the file: + command file ~ + :syntax enable $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/syntax.vim + :syntax on $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/syntax.vim + :syntax manual $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/manual.vim + :syntax off $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/nosyntax.vim +Also see |syntax-loading|. + +============================================================================== +2. Syntax files *:syn-files* + +The syntax and highlighting commands for one language are normally stored in +a syntax file. The name convention is: "{name}.vim". Where {name} is the +name of the language, or an abbreviation (to fit the name in 8.3 characters, +a requirement in case the file is used on a DOS filesystem). +Examples: + c.vim perl.vim java.vim html.vim + cpp.vim sh.vim csh.vim + +The syntax file can contain any Ex commands, just like a vimrc file. But +the idea is that only commands for a specific language are included. When a +language is a superset of another language, it may include the other one, +for example, the cpp.vim file could include the c.vim file: > + :so $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/c.vim + +The .vim files are normally loaded with an autocommand. For example: > + :au Syntax c runtime! syntax/c.vim + :au Syntax cpp runtime! syntax/cpp.vim +These commands are normally in the file $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/synload.vim. + + +MAKING YOUR OWN SYNTAX FILES *mysyntaxfile* + +When you create your own syntax files, and you want to have Vim use these +automatically with ":syntax enable", do this: + +1. Create your user runtime directory. You would normally use the first item + of the 'runtimepath' option. Example for Unix: > + mkdir ~/.vim + +2. Create a directory in there called "syntax". For Unix: > + mkdir ~/.vim/syntax + +3. Write the Vim syntax file. Or download one from the internet. Then write + it in your syntax directory. For example, for the "mine" syntax: > + :w ~/.vim/syntax/mine.vim + +Now you can start using your syntax file manually: > + :set syntax=mine +You don't have to exit Vim to use this. + +If you also want Vim to detect the type of file, see |new-filetype|. + +If you are setting up a system with many users and you don't want each user +to add the same syntax file, you can use another directory from 'runtimepath'. + + +ADDING TO AN EXISTING SYNTAX FILE *mysyntaxfile-add* + +If you are mostly satisfied with an existing syntax file, but would like to +add a few items or change the highlighting, follow these steps: + +1. Create your user directory from 'runtimepath', see above. + +2. Create a directory in there called "after/syntax". For Unix: > + mkdir ~/.vim/after + mkdir ~/.vim/after/syntax + +3. Write a Vim script that contains the commands you want to use. For + example, to change the colors for the C syntax: > + highlight cComment ctermfg=Green guifg=Green + +4. Write that file in the "after/syntax" directory. Use the name of the + syntax, with ".vim" added. For our C syntax: > + :w ~/.vim/after/syntax/c.vim + +That's it. The next time you edit a C file the Comment color will be +different. You don't even have to restart Vim. + + +REPLACING AN EXISTING SYNTAX FILE *mysyntaxfile-replace* + +If you don't like a distributed syntax file, or you have downloaded a new +version, follow the same steps as for |mysyntaxfile| above. Just make sure +that you write the syntax file in a directory that is early in 'runtimepath'. +Vim will only load the first syntax file found. + + +NAMING CONVENTIONS + *group-name* *{group-name}* *E669* *W18* +The name for a highlight or syntax group must consist of ASCII letters, digits +and the underscore. As a regexp: "[a-zA-Z0-9_]*" + +To be able to allow each user to pick his favorite set of colors, there must +be preferred names for highlight groups that are common for many languages. +These are the suggested group names (if syntax highlighting works properly +you can see the actual color, except for "Ignore"): + + *Comment any comment + + *Constant any constant + String a string constant: "this is a string" + Character a character constant: 'c', '\n' + Number a number constant: 234, 0xff + Boolean a boolean constant: TRUE, false + Float a floating point constant: 2.3e10 + + *Identifier any variable name + Function function name (also: methods for classes) + + *Statement any statement + Conditional if, then, else, endif, switch, etc. + Repeat for, do, while, etc. + Label case, default, etc. + Operator "sizeof", "+", "*", etc. + Keyword any other keyword + Exception try, catch, throw + + *PreProc generic Preprocessor + Include preprocessor #include + Define preprocessor #define + Macro same as Define + PreCondit preprocessor #if, #else, #endif, etc. + + *Type int, long, char, etc. + StorageClass static, register, volatile, etc. + Structure struct, union, enum, etc. + Typedef A typedef + + *Special any special symbol + SpecialChar special character in a constant + Tag you can use CTRL-] on this + Delimiter character that needs attention + SpecialComment special things inside a comment + Debug debugging statements + + *Underlined text that stands out, HTML links + + *Ignore left blank, hidden + + *Error any erroneous construct + + *Todo anything that needs extra attention; mostly the + keywords TODO FIXME and XXX + +The names marked with * are the preferred groups; the others are minor groups. +For the preferred groups, the "syntax.vim" file contains default highlighting. +The minor groups are linked to the preferred groups, so they get the same +highlighting. You can override these defaults by using ":highlight" commands +after sourcing the "syntax.vim" file. + +Note that highlight group names are not case sensitive. "String" and "string" +can be used for the same group. + +The following names are reserved and cannot be used as a group name: + NONE ALL ALLBUT contains contained + +============================================================================== +3. Syntax loading procedure *syntax-loading* + +This explains the details that happen when the command ":syntax enable" is +issued. When Vim initializes itself, it finds out where the runtime files are +located. This is used here as the variable |$VIMRUNTIME|. + +":syntax enable" and ":syntax on" do the following: + + Source $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/syntax.vim + | + +- Clear out any old syntax by sourcing $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/nosyntax.vim + | + +- Source first syntax/synload.vim in 'runtimepath' + | | + | +- Setup the colors for syntax highlighting. If a color scheme is + | | defined it is loaded again with ":colors {name}". Otherwise + | | ":runtime! syntax/syncolor.vim" is used. ":syntax on" overrules + | | existing colors, ":syntax enable" only sets groups that weren't + | | set yet. + | | + | +- Set up syntax autocmds to load the appropriate syntax file when + | | the 'syntax' option is set. *synload-1* + | | + | +- Source the user's optional file, from the |mysyntaxfile| variable. + | This is for backwards compatibility with Vim 5.x only. *synload-2* + | + +- Do ":filetype on", which does ":runtime! filetype.vim". It loads any + | filetype.vim files found. It should always Source + | $VIMRUNTIME/filetype.vim, which does the following. + | | + | +- Install autocmds based on suffix to set the 'filetype' option + | | This is where the connection between file name and file type is + | | made for known file types. *synload-3* + | | + | +- Source the user's optional file, from the *myfiletypefile* + | | variable. This is for backwards compatibility with Vim 5.x only. + | | *synload-4* + | | + | +- Install one autocommand which sources scripts.vim when no file + | | type was detected yet. *synload-5* + | | + | +- Source $VIMRUNTIME/menu.vim, to setup the Syntax menu. |menu.vim| + | + +- Install a FileType autocommand to set the 'syntax' option when a file + | type has been detected. *synload-6* + | + +- Execute syntax autocommands to start syntax highlighting for each + already loaded buffer. + + +Upon loading a file, Vim finds the relevant syntax file as follows: + + Loading the file triggers the BufReadPost autocommands. + | + +- If there is a match with one of the autocommands from |synload-3| + | (known file types) or |synload-4| (user's file types), the 'filetype' + | option is set to the file type. + | + +- The autocommand at |synload-5| is triggered. If the file type was not + | found yet, then scripts.vim is searched for in 'runtimepath'. This + | should always load $VIMRUNTIME/scripts.vim, which does the following. + | | + | +- Source the user's optional file, from the *myscriptsfile* + | | variable. This is for backwards compatibility with Vim 5.x only. + | | + | +- If the file type is still unknown, check the contents of the file, + | again with checks like "getline(1) =~ pattern" as to whether the + | file type can be recognized, and set 'filetype'. + | + +- When the file type was determined and 'filetype' was set, this + | triggers the FileType autocommand |synload-6| above. It sets + | 'syntax' to the determined file type. + | + +- When the 'syntax' option was set above, this triggers an autocommand + | from |synload-1| (and |synload-2|). This find the main syntax file in + | 'runtimepath', with this command: + | runtime! syntax/<name>.vim + | + +- Any other user installed FileType or Syntax autocommands are + triggered. This can be used to change the highlighting for a specific + syntax. + +============================================================================== +4. Syntax file remarks *:syn-file-remarks* + + *b:current_syntax-variable* +Vim stores the name of the syntax that has been loaded in the +"b:current_syntax" variable. You can use this if you want to load other +settings, depending on which syntax is active. Example: > + :au BufReadPost * if b:current_syntax == "csh" + :au BufReadPost * do-some-things + :au BufReadPost * endif + + +2HTML *2html.vim* *convert-to-HTML* + +This is not a syntax file itself, but a script that converts the current +window into HTML. Vim opens a new window in which it builds the HTML file. + +You are not supposed to set the 'filetype' or 'syntax' option to "2html"! +Source the script to convert the current file: > + + :runtime! syntax/2html.vim +< +Warning: This is slow! + *:TOhtml* +Or use the ":TOhtml" user command. It is defined in a standard plugin. +":TOhtml" also works with a range and in a Visual area: > + + :10,40TOhtml + +After you save the resulting file, you can view it with any HTML viewer, such +as Netscape. The colors should be exactly the same as you see them in Vim. + +To restrict the conversion to a range of lines set "html_start_line" and +"html_end_line" to the first and last line to be converted. Example, using +the last set Visual area: > + + :let html_start_line = line("'<") + :let html_end_line = line("'>") + +The lines are numbered according to 'number' option and the Number +highlighting. You can force lines to be numbered in the HTML output by +setting "html_number_lines" to non-zero value: > + :let html_number_lines = 1 +Force to omit the line numbers by using a zero value: > + :let html_number_lines = 0 +Go back to the default to use 'number' by deleting the variable: > + :unlet html_number_lines + +By default, HTML optimized for old browsers is generated. If you prefer using +cascading style sheets (CSS1) for the attributes (resulting in considerably +shorter and valid HTML 4 file), use: > + :let html_use_css = 1 + +By default "<pre>" and "</pre>" is used around the text. This makes it show +up as you see it in Vim, but without wrapping. If you prefer wrapping, at the +risk of making some things look a bit different, use: > + :let html_no_pre = 1 +This will use <br> at the end of each line and use " " for repeated +spaces. + +The current value of 'encoding' is used to specify the charset of the HTML +file. This only works for those values of 'encoding' that have an equivalent +HTML charset name. To overrule this set g:html_use_encoding to the name of +the charset to be used: > + :let html_use_encoding = "foobar" +To omit the line that specifies the charset, set g:html_use_encoding to an +empty string: > + :let html_use_encoding = "" +To go back to the automatic mechanism, delete the g:html_use_encoding +variable: > + :unlet html_use_encoding +< + *convert-to-XML* *convert-to-XHTML* +An alternative is to have the script generate XHTML (XML compliant HTML). To +do this set the "use_xhtml" variable: > + :let use_xhtml = 1 +To disable it again delete the variable: > + :unlet use_xhtml +The generated XHTML file can be used in DocBook XML documents. See: + http://people.mech.kuleuven.ac.be/~pissaris/howto/src2db.html + +Remarks: +- This only works in a version with GUI support. If the GUI is not actually + running (possible for X11) it still works, but not very well (the colors + may be wrong). +- Older browsers will not show the background colors. +- From most browsers you can also print the file (in color)! + +Here is an example how to run the script over all .c and .h files from a +Unix shell: > + for f in *.[ch]; do gvim -f +"syn on" +"run! syntax/2html.vim" +"wq" +"q" $f; done +< + +ABEL *abel.vim* *abel-syntax* + +ABEL highlighting provides some user-defined options. To enable them, assign +any value to the respective variable. Example: > + :let abel_obsolete_ok=1 +To disable them use ":unlet". Example: > + :unlet abel_obsolete_ok + +Variable Highlight ~ +abel_obsolete_ok obsolete keywords are statements, not errors +abel_cpp_comments_illegal do not interpret '//' as inline comment leader + + +ADA *ada.vim* *ada-syntax* + +This mode is designed for the 1995 edition of Ada ("Ada95"), which +includes support for objected-programming, protected types, and so on. +It handles code written for the original Ada language +("Ada83" or "Ada87") as well, though Ada83 code which uses Ada95-only +keywords will be wrongly colored (such code should be fixed anyway). +For more information about Ada, see http://www.adapower.com. + +The Ada mode handles a number of situations cleanly. +For example, it knows that the "-" in "-5" is a number, but the same +character in "A-5" is an operator. Normally, a "with" or "use" clause +referencing another compilation unit is colored the same way as C's +"#include" is colored. If you have "Conditional" or "Repeat" +groups colored differently, then "end if" and "end loop" will be +colored as part of those respective groups. +You can set these to different colors using vim's "highlight" command +(e.g., to change how loops are displayed, enter the command +":hi Repeat" followed by the color specification; on simple terminals +the color specification ctermfg=White often shows well). + +There are several options you can select in this Ada mode. +To enable them, assign a value to the option. For example, to turn one on: + let ada_standard_types = 1 +To disable them use ":unlet". Example: + unlet ada_standard_types = 1 +You can just use ":" and type these into the command line to set these +temporarily before loading an Ada file. You can make these option settings +permanent by adding the "let" command(s), without a colon, +to your "~/.vimrc" file. + +Here are the Ada mode options: + +Variable Action ~ +ada_standard_types Highlight types in package Standard (e.g., "Float") +ada_space_errors Highlight extraneous errors in spaces... +ada_no_trail_space_error but ignore trailing spaces at the end of a line +ada_no_tab_space_error but ignore tabs after spaces +ada_withuse_ordinary Show "with" and "use" as ordinary keywords + (when used to reference other compilation units + they're normally highlighted specially). +ada_begin_preproc Show all begin-like keywords using the coloring + of C preprocessor commands. + +Even on a slow (90Mhz) PC this mode works quickly, but if you find +the performance unacceptable, turn on ada_withuse_ordinary. + + +ANT *ant.vim* *ant-syntax* + +The ant syntax file provides syntax highlighting for javascript and python +by default. Syntax highlighting for other script languages can be installed +by the function AntSyntaxScript(), which takes the tag name as first argument +and the script syntax file name as second argument. Example: > + + :call AntSyntaxScript('perl', 'perl.vim') + +will install syntax perl highlighting for the following ant code > + + <script language = 'perl'><![CDATA[ + # everything inside is highlighted as perl + ]]></script> + +See |mysyntaxfile-add| for installing script languages permanently. + + +APACHE *apache.vim* *apache-syntax* + +The apache syntax file provides syntax highlighting depending on Apache HTTP +server version, by default for 1.3.x. Set "apache_version" to Apache version +(as a string) to get highlighting for another version. Example: > + + :let apache_version = "2.0" +< + + *asm.vim* *asmh8300.vim* *nasm.vim* *masm.vim* *asm68k* +ASSEMBLY *asm-syntax* *asmh8300-syntax* *nasm-syntax* *masm-syntax* + *asm68k-syntax* *fasm.vim* + +Files matching "*.i" could be Progress or Assembly. If the automatic detection +doesn't work for you, or you don't edit Progress at all, use this in your +startup vimrc: > + :let filetype_i = "asm" +Replace "asm" with the type of assembly you use. + +There are many types of assembly languages that all use the same file name +extensions. Therefore you will have to select the type yourself, or add a +line in the assembly file that Vim will recognize. Currently these syntax +files are included: + asm GNU assembly (the default) + asm68k Motorola 680x0 assembly + asmh8300 Hitachi H-8300 version of GNU assembly + ia64 Intel Itanium 64 + fasm Flat assembly (http://flatassembler.net) + masm Microsoft assembly (probably works for any 80x86) + nasm Netwide assembly + tasm Turbo Assembly (with opcodes 80x86 up to Pentium, and + MMX) + pic PIC assembly (currently for PIC16F84) + +The most flexible is to add a line in your assembly file containing: > + :asmsyntax=nasm +Replace "nasm" with the name of the real assembly syntax. This line must be +one of the first five lines in the file. + +The syntax type can always be overruled for a specific buffer by setting the +b:asmsyntax variable: > + :let b:asmsyntax=nasm + +If b:asmsyntax is not set, either automatically or by hand, then the value of +the global variable asmsyntax is used. This can be seen as a default assembly +language: > + :let asmsyntax=nasm + +As a last resort, if nothing is defined, the "asm" syntax is used. + + +Netwide assembler (nasm.vim) optional highlighting ~ + +To enable a feature: > + :let {variable}=1|set syntax=nasm +To disable a feature: > + :unlet {variable} |set syntax=nasm + +Variable Highlight ~ +nasm_loose_syntax unofficial parser allowed syntax not as Error + (parser dependent; not recommended) +nasm_ctx_outside_macro contexts outside macro not as Error +nasm_no_warn potentially risky syntax not as ToDo + + +ASPPERL and ASPVBS *aspperl-syntax* *aspvbs-syntax* + +*.asp and *.asa files could be either Perl or Visual Basic script. Since it's +hard to detect this you can set two global variables to tell Vim what you are +using. For Perl script use: > + :let g:filetype_asa = "aspperl" + :let g:filetype_asp = "aspperl" +For Visual Basic use: > + :let g:filetype_asa = "aspvbs" + :let g:filetype_asp = "aspvbs" + + +BASIC *basic.vim* *vb.vim* *basic-syntax* *vb-syntax* + +Both Visual Basic and "normal" basic use the extension ".bas". To detect +which one should be used, Vim checks for the string "VB_Name" in the first +five lines of the file. If it is not found, filetype will be "basic", +otherwise "vb". Files with the ".frm" extension will always be seen as Visual +Basic. + + +C *c.vim* *c-syntax* + +A few things in C highlighting are optional. To enable them assign any value +to the respective variable. Example: > + :let c_comment_strings=1 +To disable them use ":unlet". Example: > + :unlet c_comment_strings + +Variable Highlight ~ +c_gnu GNU gcc specific items +c_comment_strings strings and numbers inside a comment +c_space_errors trailing white space and spaces before a <Tab> +c_no_trail_space_error ... but no trailing spaces +c_no_tab_space_error ... but no spaces before a <Tab> +c_no_bracket_error don't highlight {}; inside [] as errors +c_no_ansi don't do standard ANSI types and constants +c_ansi_typedefs ... but do standard ANSI types +c_ansi_constants ... but do standard ANSI constants +c_no_utf don't highlight \u and \U in strings +c_syntax_for_h use C syntax for *.h files, instead of C++ +c_no_if0 don't highlight "#if 0" blocks as comments +c_no_cformat don't highlight %-formats in strings +c_no_c99 don't highlight C99 standard items + +If you notice highlighting errors while scrolling backwards, which are fixed +when redrawing with CTRL-L, try setting the "c_minlines" internal variable +to a larger number: > + :let c_minlines = 100 +This will make the syntax synchronization start 100 lines before the first +displayed line. The default value is 50 (15 when c_no_if0 is set). The +disadvantage of using a larger number is that redrawing can become slow. + +When using the "#if 0" / "#endif" comment highlighting, notice that this only +works when the "#if 0" is within "c_minlines" from the top of the window. If +you have a long "#if 0" construct it will not be highlighted correctly. + +To match extra items in comments, use the cCommentGroup cluster. +Example: > + :au Syntax c call MyCadd() + :function MyCadd() + : syn keyword cMyItem contained Ni + : syn cluster cCommentGroup add=cMyItem + : hi link cMyItem Title + :endfun + +ANSI constants will be highlighted with the "cConstant" group. This includes +"NULL", "SIG_IGN" and others. But not "TRUE", for example, because this is +not in the ANSI standard. If you find this confusing, remove the cConstant +highlighting: > + :hi link cConstant NONE + +If you see '{' and '}' highlighted as an error where they are OK, reset the +highlighting for cErrInParen and cErrInBracket. + +If you want to use folding in your C files, you can add these lines in a file +an the "after" directory in 'runtimepath'. For Unix this would be +~/.vim/after/syntax/c.vim. > + syn region myFold start="{" end="}" transparent fold + syn sync fromstart + set foldmethod=syntax + + +CHILL *chill.vim* *chill-syntax* + +Chill syntax highlighting is similar to C. See |c.vim| for all the settings +that are available. Additionally there is: + +chill_syntax_for_h use Ch syntax for *.h files, instead of C or C++ +chill_space_errors like c_space_errors +chill_comment_string like c_comment_strings +chill_minlines like c_minlines + + +CHANGELOG *changelog.vim* *changelog-syntax* + +ChangeLog supports highlighting spaces at the start of a line. +If you do not like this, add following line to your .vimrc: > + let g:changelog_spacing_errors = 0 +This works the next time you edit a changelog file. You can also use +"b:changelog_spacing_errors" to set this per buffer (before loading the syntax +file). + +You can change the highlighting used, e.g., to flag the spaces as an error: > + :hi link ChangelogError Error +Or to avoid the highlighting: > + :hi link ChangelogError NONE +This works immediately. + + +COBOL *cobol.vim* *cobol-syntax* + +COBOL highlighting has different needs for legacy code than it does for fresh +development. This is due to differences in what is being done (maintenance +versus development) and other factors. To enable legacy code highlighting, +add this line to your .vimrc: > + :let cobol_legacy_code = 1 +To disable it again, use this: > + :unlet cobol_legacy_code + + +COLD FUSION *coldfusion.vim* *coldfusion-syntax* + +The ColdFusion has its own version of HTML comments. To turn on ColdFusion +comment highlighting, add the following line to your startup file: > + + :let html_wrong_comments = 1 + +The ColdFusion syntax file is based on the HTML syntax file. + + +CSH *csh.vim* *csh-syntax* + +This covers the shell named "csh". Note that on some systems tcsh is actually +used. + +Detecting whether a file is csh or tcsh is notoriously hard. Some systems +symlink /bin/csh to /bin/tcsh, making it almost impossible to distinguish +between csh and tcsh. In case VIM guesses wrong you can set the +"filetype_csh" variable. For using csh: > + + :let filetype_csh = "csh" + +For using tcsh: > + + :let filetype_csh = "tcsh" + +Any script with a tcsh extension or a standard tcsh filename (.tcshrc, +tcsh.tcshrc, tcsh.login) will have filetype tcsh. All other tcsh/csh scripts +will be classified as tcsh, UNLESS the "filetype_csh" variable exists. If the +"filetype_csh" variable exists, the filetype will be set to the value of the +variable. + + +CYNLIB *cynlib.vim* *cynlib-syntax* + +Cynlib files are C++ files that use the Cynlib class library to enable +hardware modeling and simulation using C++. Typically Cynlib files have a .cc +or a .cpp extension, which makes it very difficult to distinguish them from a +normal C++ file. Thus, to enable Cynlib highlighting for .cc files, add this +line to your .vimrc file: > + + :let cynlib_cyntax_for_cc=1 + +Similarly for cpp files (this extension is only usually used in Windows) > + + :let cynlib_cyntax_for_cpp=1 + +To disable these again, use this: > + + :unlet cynlib_cyntax_for_cc + :unlet cynlib_cyntax_for_cpp +< + +CWEB *cweb.vim* *cweb-syntax* + +Files matching "*.w" could be Progress or cweb. If the automatic detection +doesn't work for you, or you don't edit Progress at all, use this in your +startup vimrc: > + :let filetype_w = "cweb" + + +DESKTOP *desktop.vim* *desktop-syntax* + +Primary goal of this syntax file is to highlight .desktop and .directory files +according to freedesktop.org standard: http://pdx.freedesktop.org/Standards/ +But actually almost none implements this standard fully. Thus it will +highlight all Unix ini files. But you can force strict highlighting according +to standard by placing this in your vimrc file: > + :let enforce_freedesktop_standard = 1 + + +DIRCOLORS *dircolors.vim* *dircolors-syntax* + +The dircolors utility highlighting definition has one option. It exists to +provide compatibility with the Slackware GNU/Linux distributions version of +the command. It adds a few keywords that are generally ignored by most +versions. On Slackware systems, however, the utility accepts the keywords and +uses them for processing. To enable the Slackware keywords add the following +line to your startup file: > + let dircolors_is_slackware = 1 + + +DOCBOOK *docbk.vim* *docbk-syntax* *docbook* +DOCBOOK XML *docbkxml.vim* *docbkxml-syntax* +DOCBOOK SGML *docbksgml.vim* *docbksgml-syntax* + +There are two types of DocBook files: SGML and XML. To specify what type you +are using the "b:docbk_type" variable should be set. Vim does this for you +automatically if it can recognize the type. When Vim can't guess it the type +defaults to XML. +You can set the type manually: > + :let docbk_type = "sgml" +or: > + :let docbk_type = "xml" +You need to do this before loading the syntax file, which is complicated. +Simpler is setting the filetype to "docbkxml" or "docbksgml": > + :set filetype=docbksgml +or: > + :set filetype=docbkxml + + +DOSBATCH *dosbatch.vim* *dosbatch-syntax* + +There is one option with highlighting DOS batch files. This covers new +extensions to the Command Interpreter introduced with Windows 2000 and +is controlled by the variable dosbatch_cmdextversion. For Windows NT +this should have the value 1, and for Windows 2000 it should be 2. +Select the version you want with the following line: > + + :let dosbatch_cmdextversion = 1 + +If this variable is not defined it defaults to a value of 2 to support +Windows 2000. + + +DTD *dtd.vim* *dtd-syntax* + +The DTD syntax highlighting is case sensitive by default. To disable +case-sensitive highlighting, add the following line to your startup file: > + + :let dtd_ignore_case=1 + +The DTD syntax file will highlight unknown tags as errors. If +this is annoying, it can be turned off by setting: > + + :let dtd_no_tag_errors=1 + +before sourcing the dtd.vim syntax file. +Parameter entity names are highlighted in the definition using the +'Type' highlighting group and 'Comment' for punctuation and '%'. +Parameter entity instances are highlighted using the 'Constant' +highlighting group and the 'Type' highlighting group for the +delimiters % and ;. This can be turned off by setting: > + + :let dtd_no_param_entities=1 + +The DTD syntax file is also included by xml.vim to highlight included dtd's. + + +EIFFEL *eiffel.vim* *eiffel-syntax* + +While Eiffel is not case-sensitive, its style guidelines are, and the +syntax highlighting file encourages their use. This also allows to +highlight class names differently. If you want to disable case-sensitive +highlighting, add the following line to your startup file: > + + :let eiffel_ignore_case=1 + +Case still matters for class names and TODO marks in comments. + +Conversely, for even stricter checks, add one of the following lines: > + + :let eiffel_strict=1 + :let eiffel_pedantic=1 + +Setting eiffel_strict will only catch improper capitalization for the +five predefined words "Current", "Void", "Result", "Precursor", and +"NONE", to warn against their accidental use as feature or class names. + +Setting eiffel_pedantic will enforce adherence to the Eiffel style +guidelines fairly rigorously (like arbitrary mixes of upper- and +lowercase letters as well as outdated ways to capitalize keywords). + +If you want to use the lower-case version of "Current", "Void", +"Result", and "Precursor", you can use > + + :let eiffel_lower_case_predef=1 + +instead of completely turning case-sensitive highlighting off. + +Support for ISE's proposed new creation syntax that is already +experimentally handled by some compilers can be enabled by: > + + :let eiffel_ise=1 + +Finally, some vendors support hexadecimal constants. To handle them, add > + + :let eiffel_hex_constants=1 + +to your startup file. + + +ERLANG *erlang.vim* *erlang-syntax* + +The erlang highlighting supports Erlang (ERicsson LANGuage). +Erlang is case sensitive and default extension is ".erl". + +If you want to disable keywords highlighting, put in your .vimrc: > + :let erlang_keywords = 1 +If you want to disable built-in-functions highlighting, put in your +.vimrc file: > + :let erlang_functions = 1 +If you want to disable special characters highlighting, put in +your .vimrc: > + :let erlang_characters = 1 + + +FORM *form.vim* *form-syntax* + +The coloring scheme for syntax elements in the FORM file uses the default +modes Conditional, Number, Statement, Comment, PreProc, Type, and String, +following the language specifications in 'Symbolic Manipulation with FORM'' by +J.A.M. Vermaseren, CAN, Netherlands, 1991. + +If you want include your own changes to the default colors, you have to +redefine the following syntax groups: + + - formConditional + - formNumber + - formStatement + - formHeaderStatement + - formComment + - formPreProc + - formDirective + - formType + - formString + +Note that the form.vim syntax file implements FORM preprocessor commands and +directives per default in the same syntax group. + +A predefined enhanced color mode for FORM is available to distinguish between +header statements and statements in the body of a FORM program. To activate +this mode define the following variable in your vimrc file > + + :let form_enhanced_color=1 + +The enhanced mode also takes advantage of additional color features for a dark +gvim display. Here, statements are colored LightYellow instead of Yellow, and +conditionals are LightBlue for better distinction. + + +FORTRAN *fortran.vim* *fortran-syntax* + +Default highlighting and dialect ~ +Highlighting appropriate for f95 (Fortran 95) is used by default. This choice +should be appropriate for most users most of the time because Fortran 95 is a +superset of Fortran 90 and almost a superset of Fortran 77. + +Fortran source code form ~ +Fortran 9x code can be in either fixed or free source form. Note that the +syntax highlighting will not be correct if the form is incorrectly set. + +When you create a new fortran file, the syntax script assumes fixed source +form. If you always use free source form, then > + :let fortran_free_source=1 +in your .vimrc prior to the :syntax on command. If you always use fixed source +form, then > + :let fortran_fixed_source=1 +in your .vimrc prior to the :syntax on command. + +If the form of the source code depends upon the file extension, then it is +most convenient to set fortran_free_source in a ftplugin file. For more +information on ftplugin files, see |ftplugin|. For example, if all your +fortran files with an .f90 extension are written in free source form and the +rest in fixed source form, add the following code to your ftplugin file > + let s:extfname = expand("%:e") + if s:extfname ==? "f90" + let fortran_free_source=1 + unlet! fortran_fixed_source + else + let fortran_fixed_source=1 + unlet! fortran_free_source + endif +Note that this will work only if the "filetype plugin indent on" command +precedes the "syntax on" command in your .vimrc file. + +When you edit an existing fortran file, the syntax script will assume free +source form if the fortran_free_source variable has been set, and assumes +fixed source form if the fortran_fixed_source variable has been set. If +neither of these variables have been set, the syntax script attempts to +determine which source form has been used by examining the first five columns +of the first 25 lines of your file. If no signs of free source form are +detected, then the file is assumed to be in fixed source form. The algorithm +should work in the vast majority of cases. In some cases, such as a file that +begins with 25 or more full-line comments, the script may incorrectly decide +that the fortran code is in fixed form. If that happens, just add a +non-comment statement beginning anywhere in the first five columns of the +first twenty five lines, save (:w) and then reload (:e!) the file. + +Tabs in fortran files ~ +Tabs are not recognized by the Fortran standards. Tabs are not a good idea in +fixed format fortran source code which requires fixed column boundaries. +Therefore, tabs are marked as errors. Nevertheless, some programmers like +using tabs. If your fortran files contain tabs, then you should set the +variable fortran_have_tabs in your .vimrc with a command such as > + :let fortran_have_tabs=1 +placed prior to the :syntax on command. Unfortunately, the use of tabs will +mean that the syntax file will not be able to detect incorrect margins. + +Syntax folding of fortran files ~ +If you wish to use foldmethod=syntax, then you must first set the variable +fortran_fold with a command such as > + :let fortran_fold=1 +to instruct the syntax script to define fold regions for program units, that +is main programs starting with a program statement, subroutines, function +subprograms, block data subprograms, interface blocks, and modules. If you +also set the variable fortran_fold_conditionals with a command such as > + :let fortran_fold_conditionals=1 +then fold regions will also be defined for do loops, if blocks, and select +case constructs. If you also set the variable +fortran_fold_multilinecomments with a command such as > + :let fortran_fold_multilinecomments=1 +then fold regions will also be defined for three or more consecutive comment +lines. Note that defining fold regions can be slow for large files. + +If fortran_fold, and possibly fortran_fold_conditionals and/or +fortran_fold_multilinecomments, have been set, then vim will fold your file if +you set foldmethod=syntax. Comments or blank lines placed between two program +units are not folded because they are seen as not belonging to any program +unit. + +More precise fortran syntax ~ +If you set the variable fortran_more_precise with a command such as > + :let fortran_more_precise=1 +then the syntax coloring will be more precise but slower. In particular, +statement labels used in do, goto and arithmetic if statements will be +recognized, as will construct names at the end of a do, if, select or forall +construct. + +Non-default fortran dialects ~ +The syntax script supports five Fortran dialects: f95, f90, f77, the Lahey +subset elf90, and the Imagine1 subset F. + +If you use f77 with extensions, even common ones like do/enddo loops, do/while +loops and free source form that are supported by most f77 compilers including +g77 (GNU Fortran), then you will probably find the default highlighting +satisfactory. However, if you use strict f77 with no extensions, not even free +source form or the MIL STD 1753 extensions, then the advantages of setting the +dialect to f77 are that names such as SUM are recognized as user variable +names and not highlighted as f9x intrinsic functions, that obsolete constructs +such as ASSIGN statements are not highlighted as todo items, and that fixed +source form will be assumed. + +If you use elf90 or F, the advantage of setting the dialect appropriately is +that f90 features excluded from these dialects will be highlighted as todo +items and that free source form will be assumed as required for these +dialects. + +The dialect can be selected by setting the variable fortran_dialect. The +permissible values of fortran_dialect are case-sensitive and must be "f95", +"f90", "f77", "elf" or "F". Invalid values of fortran_dialect are ignored. + +If all your fortran files use the same dialect, set fortran_dialect in your +.vimrc prior to your syntax on statement. If the dialect depends upon the file +extension, then it is most convenient to set it in a ftplugin file. For more +information on ftplugin files, see |ftplugin|. For example, if all your +fortran files with an .f90 extension are written in the elf subset, your +ftplugin file should contain the code > + let s:extfname = expand("%:e") + if s:extfname ==? "f90" + let fortran_dialect="elf" + else + unlet! fortran_dialect + endif +Note that this will work only if the "filetype plugin indent on" command +precedes the "syntax on" command in your .vimrc file. + +Finer control is necessary if the file extension does not uniquely identify +the dialect. You can override the default dialect, on a file-by-file basis, by +including a comment with the directive "fortran_dialect=xx" (where xx=f77 or +elf or F or f90 or f95) in one of the first three lines in your file. For +example, your older .f files may be written in extended f77 but your newer +ones may be F codes, and you would identify the latter by including in the +first three lines of those files a Fortran comment of the form > + ! fortran_dialect=F +F overrides elf if both directives are present. + +Limitations ~ +Parenthesis checking does not catch too few closing parentheses. Hollerith +strings are not recognized. Some keywords may be highlighted incorrectly +because Fortran90 has no reserved words. + +For further information related to fortran, see |fortran-indent| and +|fortran-plugin|. + + +FVWM CONFIGURATION FILES *fvwm.vim* *fvwm-syntax* + +In order for Vim to recognize Fvwm configuration files that do not match +the patterns *fvwmrc* or *fvwm2rc* , you must put additional patterns +appropriate to your system in your myfiletypes.vim file. For these +patterns, you must set the variable "b:fvwm_version" to the major version +number of Fvwm, and the 'filetype' option to fvwm. + +For example, to make Vim identify all files in /etc/X11/fvwm2/ +as Fvwm2 configuration files, add the following: > + + :au! BufNewFile,BufRead /etc/X11/fvwm2/* let b:fvwm_version = 2 | + \ set filetype=fvwm + +If you'd like Vim to highlight all valid color names, tell it where to +find the color database (rgb.txt) on your system. Do this by setting +"rgb_file" to its location. Assuming your color database is located +in /usr/X11/lib/X11/, you should add the line > + + :let rgb_file = "/usr/X11/lib/X11/rgb.txt" + +to your .vimrc file. + + +GSP *gsp.vim* + +The default coloring style for GSP pages is defined by |html.vim|, and +the coloring for java code (within java tags or inline between backticks) +is defined by |java.vim|. The following HTML groups defined in |html.vim| +are redefined to incorporate and highlight inline java code: + + htmlString + htmlValue + htmlEndTag + htmlTag + htmlTagN + +Highlighting should look fine most of the places where you'd see inline +java code, but in some special cases it may not. To add another HTML +group where you will have inline java code where it does not highlight +correctly, just copy the line you want from |html.vim| and add gspJava +to the contains clause. + +The backticks for inline java are highlighted according to the htmlError +group to make them easier to see. + + +GROFF *groff.vim* *groff-syntax* + +The groff syntax file is a wrapper for |nroff.vim|, see the notes +under that heading for examples of use and configuration. The purpose +of this wrapper is to set up groff syntax extensions by setting the +filetype from a |modeline| or in a personal filetype definitions file +(see |filetype.txt|). + + +HASKELL *haskell.vim* *lhaskell.vim* *haskell-syntax* + +The Haskell syntax files support plain Haskell code as well as literate +Haskell code, the latter in both Bird style and TeX style. The Haskell +syntax highlighting will also highlight C preprocessor directives. + +If you want to highlight delimiter characters (useful if you have a +light-coloured background), add to your .vimrc: > + :let hs_highlight_delimiters = 1 +To treat True and False as keywords as opposed to ordinary identifiers, +add: > + :let hs_highlight_boolean = 1 +To also treat the names of primitive types as keywords: > + :let hs_highlight_types = 1 +And to treat the names of even more relatively common types as keywords: > + :let hs_highlight_more_types = 1 +If you want to highlight the names of debugging functions, put in +your .vimrc: > + :let hs_highlight_debug = 1 + +The Haskell syntax highlighting also highlights C preprocessor +directives, and flags lines that start with # but are not valid +directives as erroneous. This interferes with Haskell's syntax for +operators, as they may start with #. If you want to highlight those +as operators as opposed to errors, put in your .vimrc: > + :let hs_allow_hash_operator = 1 + +The syntax highlighting for literate Haskell code will try to +automatically guess whether your literate Haskell code contains +TeX markup or not, and correspondingly highlight TeX constructs +or nothing at all. You can override this globally by putting +in your .vimrc > + :let lhs_markup = none +for no highlighting at all, or > + :let lhs_markup = tex +to force the highlighting to always try to highlight TeX markup. +For more flexibility, you may also use buffer local versions of +this variable, so e.g. > + :let b:lhs_markup = tex +will force TeX highlighting for a particular buffer. It has to be +set before turning syntax highlighting on for the buffer or +loading a file. + + +HTML *html.vim* *html-syntax* + +The coloring scheme for tags in the HTML file works as follows. + +The <> of opening tags are colored differently than the </> of a closing tag. +This is on purpose! For opening tags the 'Function' color is used, while for +closing tags the 'Type' color is used (See syntax.vim to check how those are +defined for you) + +Known tag names are colored the same way as statements in C. Unknown tag +names are colored with the same color as the <> or </> respectively which +makes it easy to spot errors + +Note that the same is true for argument (or attribute) names. Known attribute +names are colored differently than unknown ones. + +Some HTML tags are used to change the rendering of text. The following tags +are recognized by the html.vim syntax coloring file and change the way normal +text is shown: <B> <I> <U> <EM> <STRONG> (<EM> is used as an alias for <I>, +while <STRONG> as an alias for <B>), <H1> - <H6>, <HEAD>, <TITLE> and <A>, but +only if used as a link that is, it must include a href as in +<A href="somfile.html">). + +If you want to change how such text is rendered, you must redefine the +following syntax groups: + + - htmlBold + - htmlBoldUnderline + - htmlBoldUnderlineItalic + - htmlUnderline + - htmlUnderlineItalic + - htmlItalic + - htmlTitle for titles + - htmlH1 - htmlH6 for headings + +To make this redefinition work you must redefine them all with the exception +of the last two (htmlTitle and htmlH[1-6], which are optional) and define the +following variable in your vimrc (this is due to the order in which the files +are read during initialization) > + :let html_my_rendering=1 + +If you'd like to see an example download mysyntax.vim at +http://www.fleiner.com/vim/download.html + +You can also disable this rendering by adding the following line to your +vimrc file: > + :let html_no_rendering=1 + +HTML comments are rather special (see an HTML reference document for the +details), and the syntax coloring scheme will highlight all errors. +However, if you prefer to use the wrong style (starts with <!-- and +ends with --!>) you can define > + :let html_wrong_comments=1 + +JavaScript and Visual Basic embedded inside HTML documents are highlighted as +'Special' with statements, comments, strings and so on colored as in standard +programming languages. Note that only JavaScript and Visual Basic are currently +supported, no other scripting language has been added yet. + +Embedded and inlined cascading style sheets (CSS) are highlighted too. + +There are several html preprocessor languages out there. html.vim has been +written such that it should be trivial to include it. To do so add the +following two lines to the syntax coloring file for that language +(the example comes from the asp.vim file): + + runtime! syntax/html.vim + syn cluster htmlPreproc add=asp + +Now you just need to make sure that you add all regions that contain +the preprocessor language to the cluster htmlPreproc. + + +HTML/OS (by Aestiva) *htmlos.vim* *htmlos-syntax* + +The coloring scheme for HTML/OS works as follows: + +Functions and variable names are the same color by default, because VIM +doesn't specify different colors for Functions and Identifiers. To change +this (which is recommended if you want function names to be recognizable in a +different color) you need to add the following line to either your ~/.vimrc: > + :hi Function term=underline cterm=bold ctermfg=LightGray + +Of course, the ctermfg can be a different color if you choose. + +Another issues that HTML/OS runs into is that there is no special filetype to +signify that it is a file with HTML/OS coding. You can change this by opening +a file and turning on HTML/OS syntax by doing the following: > + :set syntax=htmlos + +Lastly, it should be noted that the opening and closing characters to begin a +block of HTML/OS code can either be << or [[ and >> or ]], respectively. + + +IA64 *ia64.vim* *intel-itanium* *ia64-syntax* + +Highlighting for the Intel Itanium 64 assembly language. See |asm.vim| for +how to recognize this filetype. + +To have *.inc files be recognized as IA64, add this to your .vimrc file: > + :let g:filetype_inc = "ia64" + + +INFORM *inform.vim* *inform-syntax* + +Inform highlighting includes symbols provided by the Inform Library, as +most programs make extensive use of it. If do not wish Library symbols +to be highlighted add this to your vim startup: > + :let inform_highlight_simple=1 + +By default it is assumed that Inform programs are Z-machine targeted, +and highlights Z-machine assembly language symbols appropriately. If +you intend your program to be targeted to a Glulx/Glk environment you +need to add this to your startup sequence: > + :let inform_highlight_glulx=1 + +This will highlight Glulx opcodes instead, and also adds glk() to the +set of highlighted system functions. + +The Inform compiler will flag certain obsolete keywords as errors when +it encounters them. These keywords are normally highlighted as errors +by Vim. To prevent such error highlighting, you must add this to your +startup sequence: > + :let inform_suppress_obsolete=1 + +By default, the language features highlighted conform to Compiler +version 6.30 and Library version 6.11. If you are using an older +Inform development environment, you may with to add this to your +startup sequence: > + :let inform_highlight_old=1 + + +JAVA *java.vim* *java-syntax* + +The java.vim syntax highlighting file offers several options: + +In Java 1.0.2 it was never possible to have braces inside parens, so this was +flagged as an error. Since Java 1.1 this is possible (with anonymous +classes), and therefore is no longer marked as an error. If you prefer the old +way, put the following line into your vim startup file: > + :let java_mark_braces_in_parens_as_errors=1 + +All identifiers in java.lang.* are always visible in all classes. To +highlight them use: > + :let java_highlight_java_lang_ids=1 + +You can also highlight identifiers of most standard java packages if you +download the javaid.vim script at http://www.fleiner.com/vim/download.html. +If you prefer to only highlight identifiers of a certain package, say java.io +use the following: > + :let java_highlight_java_io=1 +Check the javaid.vim file for a list of all the packages that are supported. + +Function names are not highlighted, as the way to find functions depends on +how you write java code. The syntax file knows two possible ways to highlight +functions: + +If you write function declarations that are always indented by either +a tab, 8 spaces or 2 spaces you may want to set > + :let java_highlight_functions="indent" +However, if you follow the Java guidelines about how functions and classes are +supposed to be named (with respect to upper and lowercase), use > + :let java_highlight_functions="style" +If both options do not work for you, but you would still want function +declarations to be highlighted create your own definitions by changing the +definitions in java.vim or by creating your own java.vim which includes the +original one and then adds the code to highlight functions. + +In java 1.1 the functions System.out.println() and System.err.println() should +only be used for debugging. Therefor it is possible to highlight debugging +statements differently. To do this you must add the following definition in +your startup file: > + :let java_highlight_debug=1 +The result will be that those statements are highlighted as 'Special' +characters. If you prefer to have them highlighted differently you must define +new highlightings for the following groups.: + Debug, DebugSpecial, DebugString, DebugBoolean, DebugType +which are used for the statement itself, special characters used in debug +strings, strings, boolean constants and types (this, super) respectively. I +have opted to chose another background for those statements. + +In order to help you to write code that can be easily ported between +java and C++, all C++ keywords are marked as error in a java program. +However, if you use them regularly, you may want to define the following +variable in your .vimrc file: > + :let java_allow_cpp_keywords=1 + +Javadoc is a program that takes special comments out of java program files and +creates HTML pages. The standard configuration will highlight this HTML code +similarly to HTML files (see |html.vim|). You can even add javascript +and CSS inside this code (see below). There are four differences however: + 1. The title (all characters up to the first '.' which is followed by + some white space or up to the first '@') is colored differently (to change + the color change the group CommentTitle). + 2. The text is colored as 'Comment'. + 3. HTML comments are colored as 'Special' + 4. The special javadoc tags (@see, @param, ...) are highlighted as specials + and the argument (for @see, @param, @exception) as Function. +To turn this feature off add the following line to your startup file: > + :let java_ignore_javadoc=1 + +If you use the special javadoc comment highlighting described above you +can also turn on special highlighting for javascript, visual basic +scripts and embedded CSS (stylesheets). This makes only sense if you +actually have javadoc comments that include either javascript or embedded +CSS. The options to use are > + :let java_javascript=1 + :let java_css=1 + :let java_vb=1 + +In order to highlight nested parens with different colors define colors +for javaParen, javaParen1 and javaParen2, for example with > + :hi link javaParen Comment +or > + :hi javaParen ctermfg=blue guifg=#0000ff + +If you notice highlighting errors while scrolling backwards, which are fixed +when redrawing with CTRL-L, try setting the "java_minlines" internal variable +to a larger number: > + :let java_minlines = 50 +This will make the syntax synchronization start 50 lines before the first +displayed line. The default value is 10. The disadvantage of using a larger +number is that redrawing can become slow. + + +LACE *lace.vim* *lace-syntax* + +Lace (Language for Assembly of Classes in Eiffel) is case insensitive, but the +style guide lines are not. If you prefer case insensitive highlighting, just +define the vim variable 'lace_case_insensitive' in your startup file: > + :let lace_case_insensitive=1 + + +LEX *lex.vim* *lex-syntax* + +Lex uses brute-force synchronizing as the "^%%$" section delimiter +gives no clue as to what section follows. Consequently, the value for > + :syn sync minlines=300 +may be changed by the user if s/he is experiencing synchronization +difficulties (such as may happen with large lex files). + + +LITE *lite.vim* *lite-syntax* + +There are two options for the lite syntax highlighting. + +If you like SQL syntax highlighting inside Strings, use this: > + + :let lite_sql_query = 1 + +For syncing, minlines defaults to 100. If you prefer another value, you can +set "lite_minlines" to the value you desire. Example: > + + :let lite_minlines = 200 + + +LPC *lpc.vim* *lpc-syntax* + +LPC stands for a simple, memory-efficient language: Lars Pensj| C. The +file name of LPC is usually *.c. Recognizing these files as LPC would bother +users writing only C programs. If you want to use LPC syntax in Vim, you +should set a variable in your .vimrc file: > + + :let lpc_syntax_for_c = 1 + +If it doesn't work properly for some particular C or LPC files, use a +modeline. For a LPC file: + + // vim:set ft=lpc: + +For a C file that is recognized as LPC: + + // vim:set ft=c: + +If you don't want to set the variable, use the modeline in EVERY LPC file. + +There are several implementations for LPC, we intend to support most widely +used ones. Here the default LPC syntax is for MudOS series, for MudOS v22 +and before, you should turn off the sensible modifiers, and this will also +asserts the new efuns after v22 to be invalid, don't set this variable when +you are using the latest version of MudOS: > + + :let lpc_pre_v22 = 1 + +For LpMud 3.2 series of LPC: > + + :let lpc_compat_32 = 1 + +For LPC4 series of LPC: > + + :let lpc_use_lpc4_syntax = 1 + +For uLPC series of LPC: +uLPC has been developed to Pike, so you should use Pike syntax +instead, and the name of your source file should be *.pike + + +LUA *lua.vim* *lua-syntax* + +This syntax file may be used for Lua 4.0 and Lua 5.0 (default). If you are +programming in Lua 4.0, use this: > + + :let lua_version = 4 + +If lua_version variable doesn't exist, it is set to 5. + + +MAIL *mail.vim* + +Vim highlights all the standard elements of an email (headers, signatures, +quoted text and URLs / email addresses). In keeping with standard conventions, +signatures begin in a line containing only "--" followed optionally by +whitespaces and end with a newline. + +Vim treats lines beginning with ']', '}', '|', '>' or a word followed by '>' +as quoted text. However Vim highlights headers and signatures in quoted text +only if the text is quoted with '>' (optionally followed by one space). + +By default mail.vim synchronises syntax to 100 lines before the first +displayed line. If you have a slow machine, and generally deal with emails +with short headers, you can change this to a smaller value: > + + :let mail_minlines = 30 + + +MAKE *make.vim* *make-syntax* + +In makefiles, commands are usually highlighted to make it easy for you to spot +errors. However, this may be too much coloring for you. You can turn this +feature off by using: > + + :let make_no_commands = 1 + + +MAPLE *maple.vim* *maple-syntax* + +Maple V, by Waterloo Maple Inc, supports symbolic algebra. The language +supports many packages of functions which are selectively loaded by the user. +The standard set of packages' functions as supplied in Maple V release 4 may be +highlighted at the user's discretion. Users may place in their .vimrc file: > + + :let mvpkg_all= 1 + +to get all package functions highlighted, or users may select any subset by +choosing a variable/package from the table below and setting that variable to +1, also in their .vimrc file (prior to sourcing +$VIMRUNTIME/syntax/syntax.vim). + + Table of Maple V Package Function Selectors > + mv_DEtools mv_genfunc mv_networks mv_process + mv_Galois mv_geometry mv_numapprox mv_simplex + mv_GaussInt mv_grobner mv_numtheory mv_stats + mv_LREtools mv_group mv_orthopoly mv_student + mv_combinat mv_inttrans mv_padic mv_sumtools + mv_combstruct mv_liesymm mv_plots mv_tensor + mv_difforms mv_linalg mv_plottools mv_totorder + mv_finance mv_logic mv_powseries + + +MOO *moo.vim* *moo-syntax* + +If you use C-style comments inside expressions and find it mangles your +highlighting, you may want to use extended (slow!) matches for C-style +comments: > + + :let moo_extended_cstyle_comments = 1 + +To disable highlighting of pronoun substitution patterns inside strings: > + + :let moo_no_pronoun_sub = 1 + +To disable highlighting of the regular expression operator '%|', and matching +'%(' and '%)' inside strings: > + + :let moo_no_regexp = 1 + +Unmatched double quotes can be recognized and highlighted as errors: > + + :let moo_unmatched_quotes = 1 + +To highlight builtin properties (.name, .location, .programmer etc.): > + + :let moo_builtin_properties = 1 + +Unknown builtin functions can be recognized and highlighted as errors. If you +use this option, add your own extensions to the mooKnownBuiltinFunction group. +To enable this option: > + + :let moo_unknown_builtin_functions = 1 + +An example of adding sprintf() to the list of known builtin functions: > + + :syn keyword mooKnownBuiltinFunction sprintf contained + + +MSQL *msql.vim* *msql-syntax* + +There are two options for the msql syntax highlighting. + +If you like SQL syntax highlighting inside Strings, use this: > + + :let msql_sql_query = 1 + +For syncing, minlines defaults to 100. If you prefer another value, you can +set "msql_minlines" to the value you desire. Example: > + + :let msql_minlines = 200 + + +NCF *ncf.vim* *ncf-syntax* + +There is one option for NCF syntax highlighting. + +If you want to have unrecognized (by ncf.vim) statements highlighted as +errors, use this: > + + :let ncf_highlight_unknowns = 1 + +If you don't want to highlight these errors, leave it unset. + + +NROFF *nroff.vim* *nroff-syntax* + +The nroff syntax file works with AT&T n/troff out of the box. You need to +activate the GNU groff extra features included in the syntax file before you +can use them. + +For example, Linux and BSD distributions use groff as their default text +processing package. In order to activate the extra syntax highlighting +features for groff, add the following option to your start-up files: > + + :let b:nroff_is_groff = 1 + +Groff is different from the old AT&T n/troff that you may still find in +Solaris. Groff macro and request names can be longer than 2 characters and +there are extensions to the language primitives. For example, in AT&T troff +you access the year as a 2-digit number with the request \(yr. In groff you +can use the same request, recognized for compatibility, or you can use groff's +native syntax, \[yr]. Furthermore, you can use a 4-digit year directly: +\[year]. Macro requests can be longer than 2 characters, for example, GNU mm +accepts the requests ".VERBON" and ".VERBOFF" for creating verbatim +environments. + +In order to obtain the best formatted output g/troff can give you, you should +follow a few simple rules about spacing and punctuation. + +1. Do not leave empty spaces at the end of lines. + +2. Leave one space and one space only after an end-of-sentence period, + exclamation mark, etc. + +3. For reasons stated below, it is best to follow all period marks with a + carriage return. + +The reason behind these unusual tips is that g/n/troff have a line breaking +algorithm that can be easily upset if you don't follow the rules given above. + +Unlike TeX, troff fills text line-by-line, not paragraph-by-paragraph and, +furthermore, it does not have a concept of glue or stretch, all horizontal and +vertical space input will be output as is. + +Therefore, you should be careful about not using more space between sentences +than you intend to have in your final document. For this reason, the common +practice is to insert a carriage return immediately after all punctuation +marks. If you want to have "even" text in your final processed output, you +need to maintaining regular spacing in the input text. To mark both trailing +spaces and two or more spaces after a punctuation as an error, use: > + + :let nroff_space_errors = 1 + +Another technique to detect extra spacing and other errors that will interfere +with the correct typesetting of your file, is to define an eye-catching +highlighting definition for the syntax groups "nroffDefinition" and +"nroffDefSpecial" in your configuration files. For example: > + + hi def nroffDefinition term=italic cterm=italic gui=reverse + hi def nroffDefSpecial term=italic,bold cterm=italic,bold + \ gui=reverse,bold + +If you want to navigate preprocessor entries in your source file as easily as +with section markers, you can activate the following option in your .vimrc +file: > + + let b:preprocs_as_sections = 1 + +As well, the syntax file adds an extra paragraph marker for the exdented +paragraph macro (.XP) in the ms package. + +Finally, there is a |groff.vim| syntax file that can be used for enabling +groff syntax highlighting either on a file basis or globally by default. + + +OCAML *ocaml.vim* *ocaml-syntax* + +The OCaml syntax file handles files having the following prefixes: .ml, +.mli, .mll and .mly. By setting the following variable > + + :let ocaml_revised = 1 + +you can switch from standard OCaml-syntax to revised syntax as supported +by the camlp4 preprocessor. Setting the variable > + + :let ocaml_noend_error = 1 + +prevents highlighting of "end" as error, which is useful when sources +contain very long structures that Vim does not synchronize anymore. + + +PAPP *papp.vim* *papp-syntax* + +The PApp syntax file handles .papp files and, to a lesser extend, .pxml +and .pxsl files which are all a mixture of perl/xml/html/other using xml +as the top-level file format. By default everything inside phtml or pxml +sections is treated as a string with embedded preprocessor commands. If +you set the variable: > + + :let papp_include_html=1 + +in your startup file it will try to syntax-hilight html code inside phtml +sections, but this is relatively slow and much too colourful to be able to +edit sensibly ;) + +The newest version of the papp.vim syntax file can usually be found at +http://papp.plan9.de. + + +PASCAL *pascal.vim* *pascal-syntax* + +Files matching "*.p" could be Progress or Pascal. If the automatic detection +doesn't work for you, or you don't edit Progress at all, use this in your +startup vimrc: > + + :let filetype_p = "pascal" + +The Pascal syntax file has been extended to take into account some extensions +provided by Turbo Pascal, Free Pascal Compiler and GNU Pascal Compiler. +Delphi keywords are also supported. By default, Turbo Pascal 7.0 features are +enabled. If you prefer to stick with the standard Pascal keywords, add the +following line to your startup file: > + + :let pascal_traditional=1 + +To switch on Delphi specific constructions (such as one-line comments, +keywords, etc): > + + :let pascal_delphi=1 + + +The option pascal_symbol_operator controls whether symbol operators such as +, +*, .., etc. are displayed using the Operator color or not. To colorize symbol +operators, add the following line to your startup file: > + + :let pascal_symbol_operator=1 + +Some functions are highlighted by default. To switch it off: > + + :let pascal_no_functions=1 + +Furthermore, there are specific variable for some compiler. Besides +pascal_delphi, there are pascal_gpc and pascal_fpc. Default extensions try to +match Turbo Pascal. > + + :let pascal_gpc=1 + +or > + + :let pascal_fpc=1 + +To ensure that strings are defined on a single line, you can define the +pascal_one_line_string variable. > + + :let pascal_one_line_string=1 + +If you dislike <Tab> chars, you can set the pascal_no_tabs variable. Tabs +will be highlighted as Error. > + + :let pascal_no_tabs=1 + + + +PERL *perl.vim* *perl-syntax* + +There are a number of possible options to the perl syntax highlighting. + +If you use POD files or POD segments, you might: > + + :let perl_include_pod = 1 + +To handle package references in variable and function names differently from +the rest of the name (like 'PkgName::' in '$PkgName::VarName'): > + + :let perl_want_scope_in_variables = 1 + +If you want complex things like '@{${"foo"}}' to be parsed: > + + :let perl_extended_vars = 1 + +The coloring strings can be changed. By default strings and qq friends will be +highlighted like the first line. If you set the variable +perl_string_as_statement, it will be highlighted as in the second line. + + "hello world!"; qq|hello world|; + ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^NN^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^N (unlet perl_string_as_statement) + S^^^^^^^^^^^^SNNSSS^^^^^^^^^^^SN (let perl_string_as_statement) + +(^ = perlString, S = perlStatement, N = None at all) + +The syncing has 3 options. The first two switch off some triggering of +synchronization and should only be needed in case it fails to work properly. +If while scrolling all of a sudden the whole screen changes color completely +then you should try and switch off one of those. Let me know if you can figure +out the line that causes the mistake. + +One triggers on "^\s*sub\s*" and the other on "^[$@%]" more or less. > + + :let perl_no_sync_on_sub + :let perl_no_sync_on_global_var + +Below you can set the maximum distance VIM should look for starting points for +its attempts in syntax highlighting. > + + :let perl_sync_dist = 100 + +If you want to use folding with perl, set perl_fold: > + + :let perl_fold = 1 + + +PHP3 and PHP4 *php.vim* *php3.vim* *php-syntax* *php3-syntax* + +[note: previously this was called "php3", but since it now also supports php4 +it has been renamed to "php"] + +There are the following options for the php syntax highlighting. + +If you like SQL syntax highlighting inside Strings: > + + let php_sql_query = 1 + +For highlighting the Baselib methods: > + + let php_baselib = 1 + +Enable HTML syntax highlighting inside strings: > + + let php_htmlInStrings = 1 + +Using the old colorstyle: > + + let php_oldStyle = 1 + +Enable highlighting ASP-style short tags: > + + let php_asp_tags = 1 + +Disable short tags: > + + let php_noShortTags = 1 + +For highlighting parent error ] or ): > + + let php_parent_error_close = 1 + +For skipping an php end tag, if there exists an open ( or [ without a closing +one: > + + let php_parent_error_open = 1 + +Enable folding for classes and functions: > + + let php_folding = 1 + +Selecting syncing method: > + + let php_sync_method = x + +x = -1 to sync by search (default), +x > 0 to sync at least x lines backwards, +x = 0 to sync from start. + + +PPWIZARD *ppwiz.vim* *ppwiz-syntax* + +PPWizard is a preprocessor for HTML and OS/2 INF files + +This syntax file has the options: + +- ppwiz_highlight_defs : determines highlighting mode for PPWizard's + definitions. Possible values are + + ppwiz_highlight_defs = 1 : PPWizard #define statements retain the + colors of their contents (e. g. PPWizard macros and variables) + + ppwiz_highlight_defs = 2 : preprocessor #define and #evaluate + statements are shown in a single color with the exception of line + continuation symbols + + The default setting for ppwiz_highlight_defs is 1. + +- ppwiz_with_html : If the value is 1 (the default), highlight literal + HTML code; if 0, treat HTML code like ordinary text. + + +PHTML *phtml.vim* *phtml-syntax* + +There are two options for the phtml syntax highlighting. + +If you like SQL syntax highlighting inside Strings, use this: > + + :let phtml_sql_query = 1 + +For syncing, minlines defaults to 100. If you prefer another value, you can +set "phtml_minlines" to the value you desire. Example: > + + :let phtml_minlines = 200 + + +POSTSCRIPT *postscr.vim* *postscr-syntax* + +There are several options when it comes to highlighting PostScript. + +First which version of the PostScript language to highlight. There are +currently three defined language versions, or levels. Level 1 is the original +and base version, and includes all extensions prior to the release of level 2. +Level 2 is the most common version around, and includes its own set of +extensions prior to the release of level 3. Level 3 is currently the highest +level supported. You select which level of the PostScript language you want +highlighted by defining the postscr_level variable as follows: > + + :let postscr_level=2 + +If this variable is not defined it defaults to 2 (level 2) since this is +the most prevalent version currently. + +Note, not all PS interpreters will support all language features for a +particular language level. In particular the %!PS-Adobe-3.0 at the start of +PS files does NOT mean the PostScript present is level 3 PostScript! + +If you are working with Display PostScript, you can include highlighting of +Display PS language features by defining the postscr_display variable as +follows: > + + :let postscr_display=1 + +If you are working with Ghostscript, you can include highlighting of +Ghostscript specific language features by defining the variable +postscr_ghostscript as follows: > + + :let postscr_ghostscript=1 + +PostScript is a large language, with many predefined elements. While it +useful to have all these elements highlighted, on slower machines this can +cause Vim to slow down. In an attempt to be machine friendly font names and +character encodings are not highlighted by default. Unless you are working +explicitly with either of these this should be ok. If you want them to be +highlighted you should set one or both of the following variables: > + + :let postscr_fonts=1 + :let postscr_encodings=1 + +There is a stylistic option to the highlighting of and, or, and not. In +PostScript the function of these operators depends on the types of their +operands - if the operands are booleans then they are the logical operators, +if they are integers then they are binary operators. As binary and logical +operators can be highlighted differently they have to be highlighted one way +or the other. By default they are treated as logical operators. They can be +highlighted as binary operators by defining the variable +postscr_andornot_binary as follows: > + + :let postscr_andornot_binary=1 +< + + *ptcap.vim* +PRINTCAP + TERMCAP *ptcap-syntax* *termcap-syntax* *printcap-syntax* + +This syntax file applies to the printcap and termcap databases. + +In order for Vim to recognize printcap/termcap files that do not match +the patterns *printcap*, or *termcap*, you must put additional patterns +appropriate to your system in your |myfiletypefile| file. For these +patterns, you must set the variable "b:ptcap_type" to either "print" or +"term", and then the 'filetype' option to ptcap. + +For example, to make Vim identify all files in /etc/termcaps/ as termcap +files, add the following: > + + :au BufNewFile,BufRead /etc/termcaps/* let b:ptcap_type = "term" | + \ set filetype=ptcap + +If you notice highlighting errors while scrolling backwards, which +are fixed when redrawing with CTRL-L, try setting the "ptcap_minlines" +internal variable to a larger number: > + + :let ptcap_minlines = 50 + +(The default is 20 lines.) + + +PROGRESS *progress.vim* *progress-syntax* + +Files matching "*.w" could be Progress or cweb. If the automatic detection +doesn't work for you, or you don't edit cweb at all, use this in your +startup vimrc: > + :let filetype_w = "progress" +The same happens for "*.i", which could be assembly, and "*.p", which could be +Pascal. Use this if you don't use assembly and Pascal: > + :let filetype_i = "progress" + :let filetype_p = "progress" + + +PYTHON *python.vim* *python-syntax* + +There are four options to control Python syntax highlighting. + +For highlighted numbers: > + :let python_highlight_numbers = 1 + +For highlighted builtin functions: > + :let python_highlight_builtins = 1 + +For highlighted standard exceptions: > + :let python_highlight_exceptions = 1 + +For highlighted trailing whitespace and mix of spaces and tabs: + :let python_highlight_space_errors = 1 + +If you want all possible Python highlighting (the same as setting the +preceding three options): > + :let python_highlight_all = 1 + + +QUAKE *quake.vim* *quake-syntax* + +The Quake syntax definition should work for most any FPS (First Person +Shooter) based on one of the Quake engines. However, the command names vary +a bit between the three games (Quake, Quake 2, and Quake 3 Arena) so the +syntax definition checks for the existence of three global variables to allow +users to specify what commands are legal in their files. The three variables +can be set for the following effects: + +set to highlight commands only available in Quake: > + :let quake_is_quake1 = 1 + +set to highlight commands only available in Quake 2: > + :let quake_is_quake2 = 1 + +set to highlight commands only available in Quake 3 Arena: > + :let quake_is_quake3 = 1 + +Any combination of these three variables is legal, but might highlight more +commands than are actually available to you by the game. + + +READLINE *readline.vim* *readline-syntax* + +The readline library is primarily used by the BASH shell, which adds quite a +few commands and options to the ones already available. To highlight these +items as well you can add the following to your |vimrc| or just type it in the +command line before loading a file with the readline syntax: > + let readline_has_bash = 1 + +This will add highlighting for the commands that BASH (version 2.05a and +later, and part earlier) adds. + + +REXX *rexx.vim* *rexx-syntax* + +If you notice highlighting errors while scrolling backwards, which are fixed +when redrawing with CTRL-L, try setting the "rexx_minlines" internal variable +to a larger number: > + :let rexx_minlines = 50 +This will make the syntax synchronization start 50 lines before the first +displayed line. The default value is 10. The disadvantage of using a larger +number is that redrawing can become slow. + + +RUBY *ruby.vim* *ruby-syntax* + +There are a few options to the Ruby syntax highlighting. + +By default, the "end" keyword is colorized according to the opening statement +of the block it closes. While useful, this feature can be expensive: if you +experience slow redrawing (or you are on a terminal with poor color support) +you may want to turn it off by defining the "ruby_no_expensive" variable: > + :let ruby_no_expensive = 1 +In this case the same color will be used for all control keywords. + +If you do want this feature enabled, but notice highlighting errors while +scrolling backwards, which are fixed when redrawing with CTRL-L, try setting +the "ruby_minlines" variable to a value larger than 50: > + :let ruby_minlines = 100 +Ideally, this value should be a number of lines large enough to embrace your +largest class or module. + +Finally, if you do not like to see too many color items around, you can define +"ruby_no_identifiers": > + :let ruby_no_identifiers = 1 +This will prevent highlighting of special identifiers like "ConstantName", +"$global_var", "@instance_var", "| iterator |", and ":symbol". + + +SDL *sdl.vim* *sdl-syntax* + +The SDL highlighting probably misses a few keywords, but SDL has so many +of them it's almost impossibly to cope. + +The new standard, SDL-2000, specifies that all identifiers are +case-sensitive (which was not so before), and that all keywords can be +used either completely lowercase or completely uppercase. To have the +highlighting reflect this, you can set the following variable: > + :let sdl_2000=1 + +This also sets many new keywords. If you want to disable the old +keywords, which is probably a good idea, use: > + :let SDL_no_96=1 + + +The indentation is probably also incomplete, but right now I am very +satisfied with it for my own projects. + + +SED *sed.vim* *sed-syntax* + +To make tabs stand out from regular blanks (accomplished by using Todo +highlighting on the tabs), define "highlight_sedtabs" by putting > + + :let highlight_sedtabs = 1 + +in the vimrc file. (This special highlighting only applies for tabs +inside search patterns, replacement texts, addresses or text included +by an Append/Change/Insert command.) If you enable this option, it is +also a good idea to set the tab width to one character; by doing that, +you can easily count the number of tabs in a string. + +Bugs: + + The transform command (y) is treated exactly like the substitute + command. This means that, as far as this syntax file is concerned, + transform accepts the same flags as substitute, which is wrong. + (Transform accepts no flags.) I tolerate this bug because the + involved commands need very complex treatment (95 patterns, one for + each plausible pattern delimiter). + + +SGML *sgml.vim* *sgml-syntax* + +The coloring scheme for tags in the SGML file works as follows. + +The <> of opening tags are colored differently than the </> of a closing tag. +This is on purpose! For opening tags the 'Function' color is used, while for +closing tags the 'Type' color is used (See syntax.vim to check how those are +defined for you) + +Known tag names are colored the same way as statements in C. Unknown tag +names are not colored which makes it easy to spot errors. + +Note that the same is true for argument (or attribute) names. Known attribute +names are colored differently than unknown ones. + +Some SGML tags are used to change the rendering of text. The following tags +are recognized by the sgml.vim syntax coloring file and change the way normal +text is shown: <varname> <emphasis> <command> <function> <literal> +<replaceable> <ulink> and <link>. + +If you want to change how such text is rendered, you must redefine the +following syntax groups: + + - sgmlBold + - sgmlBoldItalic + - sgmlUnderline + - sgmlItalic + - sgmlLink for links + +To make this redefinition work you must redefine them all and define the +following variable in your vimrc (this is due to the order in which the files +are read during initialization) > + let sgml_my_rendering=1 + +You can also disable this rendering by adding the following line to your +vimrc file: > + let sgml_no_rendering=1 + +(Adapted from the html.vim help text by Claudio Fleiner <claudio@fleiner.com>) + + +SH *sh.vim* *sh-syntax* + +This covers the "normal" Unix (Bourne) sh, bash and the Korn shell. + +Vim attempts to determine which shell type is in use by specifying that +various filenames are of specific types: > + + ksh : .kshrc* *.ksh + bash: .bashrc* bashrc bash.bashrc .bash_profile* *.bash +< +If none of these cases pertain, then the first line of the file is examined +(ex. /bin/sh /bin/ksh /bin/bash). If the first line specifies a shelltype, +then that shelltype is used. However some files (ex. .profile) are known to +be shell files but the type is not apparent. Furthermore, on many systems +sh is symbolically linked to "bash" (linux) or "ksh" (posix). + +One may specify a global default by instantiating one of the following three +variables in your <.vimrc>: + + ksh: > + let is_kornshell = 1 +< bash: > + let is_bash = 1 +< sh: > + let is_sh = 1 + +If, in your <.vimrc>, you set > + let g:sh_fold_enabled= 1 +> +then various syntax items (HereDocuments and function bodies) become +syntax-foldable (see |:syn-fold|). + +If you notice highlighting errors while scrolling backwards, which are fixed +when redrawing with CTRL-L, try setting the "sh_minlines" internal variable +to a larger number. Example: > + + let sh_minlines = 500 + +This will make syntax synchronization start 500 lines before the first +displayed line. The default value is 200. The disadvantage of using a larger +number is that redrawing can become slow. + +If you don't have much to synchronize on, displaying can be very slow. To +reduce this, the "sh_maxlines" internal variable can be set. Example: > + + let sh_maxlines = 100 +< +The default is to use the twice sh_minlines. Set it to a smaller number to +speed up displaying. The disadvantage is that highlight errors may appear. + + +SPEEDUP (AspenTech plant simulator) *spup.vim* *spup-syntax* + +The Speedup syntax file has some options: + +- strict_subsections : If this variable is defined, only keywords for + sections and subsections will be highlighted as statements but not + other keywords (like WITHIN in the OPERATION section). + +- highlight_types : Definition of this variable causes stream types + like temperature or pressure to be highlighted as Type, not as a + plain Identifier. Included are the types that are usually found in + the DECLARE section; if you defined own types, you have to include + them in the syntax file. + +- oneline_comments : this value ranges from 1 to 3 and determines the + highlighting of # style comments. + + oneline_comments = 1 : allow normal Speedup code after an even + number of #s. + + oneline_comments = 2 : show code starting with the second # as + error. This is the default setting. + + oneline_comments = 3 : show the whole line as error if it contains + more than one #. + +Since especially OPERATION sections tend to become very large due to +PRESETting variables, syncing may be critical. If your computer is +fast enough, you can increase minlines and/or maxlines near the end of +the syntax file. + + +TCSH *tcsh.vim* *tcsh-syntax* + +This covers the shell named "tcsh". It is a superset of csh. See |csh.vim| +for how the filetype is detected. + +Tcsh does not allow \" in strings unless the "backslash_quote" shell variable +is set. If you want VIM to assume that no backslash quote constructs exist add +this line to your .vimrc: > + + :let tcsh_backslash_quote = 0 + +If you notice highlighting errors while scrolling backwards, which are fixed +when redrawing with CTRL-L, try setting the "tcsh_minlines" internal variable +to a larger number: > + + :let tcsh_minlines = 100 + +This will make the syntax synchronization start 100 lines before the first +displayed line. The default value is 15. The disadvantage of using a larger +number is that redrawing can become slow. + + +TEX *tex.vim* *tex-syntax* + +Run-on Comments/Math? ~ + +The tex highlighting supports TeX, LaTeX, and some AmsTeX. The +highlighting supports three primary zones: normal, texZone, and texMathZone. +Although a considerable effort has been made to have these zones terminate +properly, zones delineated by $..$ and $$..$$ cannot be synchronized as +there's no difference between start and end patterns. Consequently, a +special "TeX comment" has been provided > + %stopzone +which will forcibly terminate the highlighting of either a texZone or a +texMathZone. + +Slow Syntax Highlighting? ~ + +If you have a slow computer, you may wish to reduce the values for > + :syn sync maxlines=200 + :syn sync minlines=50 +(especially the latter). If your computer is fast, you may wish to +increase them. This primarily affects synchronizing (ie. just what group, +if any, is the text at the top of the screen supposed to be in?). + +Excessive Error Highlighting? ~ + +The <tex.vim> supports lexical error checking of various sorts. Thus, +although the error checking is ofttimes very useful, it can indicate +errors where none actually are. If this proves to be a problem for you, +you may put in your <.vimrc> the following statement: > + let tex_no_error=1 +and all error checking by <tex.vim> will be suppressed. + +Need a new Math Group? ~ + +If you want to include a new math group in your LaTeX, the following +code shows you an example as to how you might do so: > + + syn cluster texMathZones add=texMathZoneLOCAL + syn region texMathZoneLOCAL start="\\begin\s*{\s*LOCALMATH\s*}" + \ end="\\end\s*{\s*LOCALMATH\s*}" keepend + \ contains=@texMathZoneGroup + if !exists("tex_no_math") + syn sync match texSyncMathZoneLOCAL grouphere texMathZoneLOCAL + \ "\\begin\s*{\s*LOCALMATH\*\s*}" + syn sync match texSyncMathZoneLOCAL groupthere NONE + \ "\\end\s*{\s*LOCALMATH\*\s*}" + endif + hi link texMathZoneLOCAL texMath +< +You'll need to change LOCALMATH to the name of your new math group, +and then to put it into .vim/after/syntax/tex.vim. + +Starting a New Style? ~ + +One may use "\makeatletter" in *.tex files, thereby making the use of "@" in +commands available. However, since the *.tex file doesn't have one of the +following suffices: sty cls clo dtx ltx, the syntax highlighting will flag +such use of @ as an error. To solve this: > + + :let b:tex_stylish = 1 + :set ft=tex + +Putting "let g:tex_stylish=1" into your <.vimrc> will make <syntax/tex.vim> +always accept such use of @. + + +TF *tf.vim* *tf-syntax* + +There is one option for the tf syntax highlighting. + +For syncing, minlines defaults to 100. If you prefer another value, you can +set "tf_minlines" to the value you desire. Example: > + + :let tf_minlines = your choice + + +VIM *vim.vim* *vim-syntax* + +There is a tradeoff between more accurate syntax highlighting versus +screen updating speed. To improve accuracy, you may wish to increase +the g:vim_minlines variable. The g:vim_maxlines variable may be used +to improve screen updating rates (see |:syn-sync| for more on this). + + g:vim_minlines : used to set synchronization minlines + g:vim_maxlines : used to set synchronization maxlines + +The g:vimembedscript option allows for somewhat faster loading of syntax +highlighting for vim scripts at the expense of supporting syntax highlighting +for external scripting languages (currently perl, python, ruby, and tcl). + + g:vimembedscript == 1 (default) <vim.vim> will allow highlighting + g:vimembedscript doesn't exist of supported embedded scripting + languages: perl, python, ruby and + tcl. + + g:vimembedscript == 0 Syntax highlighting for embedded + scripting languages will not be + loaded. + + +XF86CONFIG *xf86conf.vim* *xf86conf-syntax* + +The syntax of XF86Config file differs in XFree86 v3.x and v4.x. Both +variants are supported. Automatic detection is used, but is far from perfect. +You may need to specify the version manually. Set the variable +xf86conf_xfree86_version to 3 or 4 according to your XFree86 version in +your .vimrc. Example: > + :let xf86conf_xfree86_version=3 +When using a mix of versions, set the b:xf86conf_xfree86_version variable. + +Note that spaces and underscores in option names are not supported. Use +"SyncOnGreen" instead of "__s yn con gr_e_e_n" if you want the option name +highlighted. + + +XML *xml.vim* *xml-syntax* + +Xml namespaces are highlighted by default. This can be inhibited by +setting a global variable: > + + :let g:xml_namespace_transparent=1 +< + *xml-folding* +The xml syntax file provides syntax |folding| (see |:syn-fold|) between +start and end tags. This can be turned on by > + + :let g:xml_syntax_folding = 1 + :set foldmethod=syntax + +Note: syntax folding might slow down syntax highlighting significantly, +especially for large files. + + +X Pixmaps (XPM) *xpm.vim* *xpm-syntax* + +xpm.vim creates its syntax items dynamically based upon the contents of the +XPM file. Thus if you make changes e.g. in the color specification strings, +you have to source it again e.g. with ":set syn=xpm". + +To copy a pixel with one of the colors, yank a "pixel" with "yl" and insert it +somewhere else with "P". + +Do you want to draw with the mouse? Try the following: > + :function! GetPixel() + : let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1] + : echo c + : exe "noremap <LeftMouse> <LeftMouse>r".c + : exe "noremap <LeftDrag> <LeftMouse>r".c + :endfunction + :noremap <RightMouse> <LeftMouse>:call GetPixel()<CR> + :set guicursor=n:hor20 " to see the color beneath the cursor +This turns the right button into a pipette and the left button into a pen. +It will work with XPM files that have one character per pixel only and you +must not click outside of the pixel strings, but feel free to improve it. + +It will look much better with a font in a quadratic cell size, e.g. for X: > + :set guifont=-*-clean-medium-r-*-*-8-*-*-*-*-80-* + +============================================================================== +5. Defining a syntax *:syn-define* *E410* + +Vim understands three types of syntax items: + +1. Keyword. + It can only contain keyword characters, according to the 'iskeyword' + option. It cannot contain other syntax items. It will only match with a + complete word (there are no keyword characters before or after the match). + The keyword "if" would match in "if(a=b)", but not in "ifdef x", because + "(" is not a keyword character and "d" is. + +2. Match. + This is a match with a single regexp pattern. + +3. Region. + This starts at a match of the "start" regexp pattern and ends with a match + with the "end" regexp pattern. Any other text can appear in between. A + "skip" regexp pattern can be used to avoid matching the "end" pattern. + +Several syntax ITEMs can be put into one syntax GROUP. For a syntax group +you can give highlighting attributes. For example, you could have an item +to define a "/* .. */" comment and another one that defines a "// .." comment, +and put them both in the "Comment" group. You can then specify that a +"Comment" will be in bold font and have a blue color. You are free to make +one highlight group for one syntax item, or put all items into one group. +This depends on how you want to specify your highlighting attributes. Putting +each item in its own group results in having to specify the highlighting +for a lot of groups. + +Note that a syntax group and a highlight group are similar. For a highlight +group you will have given highlight attributes. These attributes will be used +for the syntax group with the same name. + +In case more than one item matches at the same position, the one that was +defined LAST wins. Thus you can override previously defined syntax items by +using an item that matches the same text. But a keyword always goes before a +match or region. And a keyword with matching case always goes before a +keyword with ignoring case. + + +PRIORITY *:syn-priority* + +When several syntax items may match, these rules are used: + +1. When multiple Match or Region items start in the same position, the item + defined last has priority. +2. A Keyword has priority over Match and Region items. +3. An item that starts in an earlier position has priority over items that + start in later positions. + + +DEFINING CASE *:syn-case* *E390* + +:sy[ntax] case [match|ignore] + This defines if the following ":syntax" commands will work with + matching case, when using "match", or with ignoring case, when using + "ignore". Note that any items before this are not affected, and all + items until the next ":syntax case" command are affected. + + +DEFINING KEYWORDS *:syn-keyword* + +:sy[ntax] keyword {group-name} [{options}] {keyword} .. [{options}] + + This defines a number of keywords. + + {group-name} Is a syntax group name such as "Comment". + [{options}] See |:syn-arguments| below. + {keyword} .. Is a list of keywords which are part of this group. + + Example: > + :syntax keyword Type int long char +< + The {options} can be given anywhere in the line. They will apply to + all keywords given, also for options that come after a keyword. + These examples do exactly the same: > + :syntax keyword Type contained int long char + :syntax keyword Type int long contained char + :syntax keyword Type int long char contained +< + When you have a keyword with an optional tail, like Ex commands in + Vim, you can put the optional characters inside [], to define all the + variations at once: > + :syntax keyword vimCommand ab[breviate] n[ext] +< + Don't forget that a keyword can only be recognized if all the + characters are included in the 'iskeyword' option. If one character + isn't, the keyword will never be recognized. + Multi-byte characters can also be used. These do not have to be in + 'iskeyword'. + + A keyword always has higher priority than a match or region, the + keyword is used if more than one item matches. Keywords do not nest + and a keyword can't contain anything else. + + Note that when you have a keyword that is the same as an option (even + one that isn't allowed here), you can not use it. Use a match + instead. + + The maximum length of a keyword is 80 characters. + + The same keyword can be defined multiple times, when its containment + differs. For example, you can define the keyword once not contained + and use one highlight group, and once contained, and use a different + highlight group. Example: > + :syn keyword vimCommand tag + :syn keyword vimSetting contained tag +< When finding "tag" outside of any syntax item, the "vimCommand" + highlight group is used. When finding "tag" in a syntax item that + contains "vimSetting", the "vimSetting" group is used. + + +DEFINING MATCHES *:syn-match* + +:sy[ntax] match {group-name} [{options}] [excludenl] {pattern} [{options}] + + This defines one match. + + {group-name} A syntax group name such as "Comment". + [{options}] See |:syn-arguments| below. + [excludenl] Don't make a pattern with the end-of-line "$" + extend a containing match or region. Must be + given before the pattern. |:syn-excludenl| + {pattern} The search pattern that defines the match. + See |:syn-pattern| below. + Note that the pattern may match more than one + line, which makes the match depend on where + Vim starts searching for the pattern. You + need to make sure syncing takes care of this. + + Example (match a character constant): > + :syntax match Character /'.'/hs=s+1,he=e-1 +< + +DEFINING REGIONS *:syn-region* *:syn-start* *:syn-skip* *:syn-end* + *E398* *E399* +:sy[ntax] region {group-name} [{options}] + [matchgroup={group-name}] + [keepend] + [extend] + [excludenl] + start={start_pattern} .. + [skip={skip_pattern}] + end={end_pattern} .. + [{options}] + + This defines one region. It may span several lines. + + {group-name} A syntax group name such as "Comment". + [{options}] See |:syn-arguments| below. + [matchgroup={group-name}] The syntax group to use for the following + start or end pattern matches only. Not used + for the text in between the matched start and + end patterns. Use NONE to reset to not using + a different group for the start or end match. + See |:syn-matchgroup|. + keepend Don't allow contained matches to go past a + match with the end pattern. See + |:syn-keepend|. + extend Override a "keepend" for an item this region + is contained in. See |:syn-extend|. + excludenl Don't make a pattern with the end-of-line "$" + extend a containing match or item. Only + useful for end patterns. Must be given before + the patterns it applies to. |:syn-excludenl| + start={start_pattern} The search pattern that defines the start of + the region. See |:syn-pattern| below. + skip={skip_pattern} The search pattern that defines text inside + the region where not to look for the end + pattern. See |:syn-pattern| below. + end={end_pattern} The search pattern that defines the end of + the region. See |:syn-pattern| below. + + Example: > + :syntax region String start=+"+ skip=+\\"+ end=+"+ +< + The start/skip/end patterns and the options can be given in any order. + There can be zero or one skip pattern. There must be one or more + start and end patterns. This means that you can omit the skip + pattern, but you must give at least one start and one end pattern. It + is allowed to have white space before and after the equal sign + (although it mostly looks better without white space). + + When more than one start pattern is given, a match with one of these + is sufficient. This means there is an OR relation between the start + patterns. The last one that matches is used. The same is true for + the end patterns. + + The search for the end pattern starts right after the start pattern. + Offsets are not used for this. This implies that the match for the + end pattern will never overlap with the start pattern. + + The skip and end pattern can match across line breaks, but since the + search for the pattern can start in any line it often does not do what + you want. The skip pattern doesn't avoid a match of an end pattern in + the next line. Use single-line patterns to avoid trouble. + + Note: The decision to start a region is only based on a matching start + pattern. There is no check for a matching end pattern. This does NOT + work: > + :syn region First start="(" end=":" + :syn region Second start="(" end=";" +< The Second always matches before the First (last defined pattern has + higher priority). The Second region then continues until the next + ';', no matter if there is a ':' before it. Using a match does work: > + :syn match First "(\_.\{-}:" + :syn match Second "(\_.\{-};" +< This pattern matches any character or line break with "\_." and + repeats that with "\{-}" (repeat as few as possible). + + *:syn-keepend* + By default, a contained match can obscure a match for the end pattern. + This is useful for nesting. For example, a region that starts with + "{" and ends with "}", can contain another region. An encountered "}" + will then end the contained region, but not the outer region: + { starts outer "{}" region + { starts contained "{}" region + } ends contained "{}" region + } ends outer "{} region + If you don't want this, the "keepend" argument will make the matching + of an end pattern of the outer region also end any contained item. + This makes it impossible to nest the same region, but allows for + contained items to highlight parts of the end pattern, without causing + that to skip the match with the end pattern. Example: > + :syn match vimComment +"[^"]\+$+ + :syn region vimCommand start="set" end="$" contains=vimComment keepend +< The "keepend" makes the vimCommand always end at the end of the line, + even though the contained vimComment includes a match with the <EOL>. + + When "keepend" is not used, a match with an end pattern is retried + after each contained match. When "keepend" is included, the first + encountered match with an end pattern is used, truncating any + contained matches. + *:syn-extend* + The "keepend" behavior can be changed by using the "extend" argument. + When an item with "extend" is contained in an item that uses + "keepend", the "keepend" is ignored and the containing region will be + extended. + This can be used to have some contained items extend a region while + others don't. Example: > + + :syn region htmlRef start=+<a>+ end=+</a>+ keepend contains=htmlItem,htmlScript + :syn match htmlItem +<[^>]*>+ contained + :syn region htmlScript start=+<script+ end=+</script[^>]*>+ contained extend + +< Here the htmlItem item does not make the htmlRef item continue + further, it is only used to highlight the <> items. The htmlScript + item does extend the htmlRef item. + + Another example: > + :syn region xmlFold start="<a>" end="</a>" fold transparent keepend extend +< This defines a region with "keepend", so that its end cannot be + changed by contained items, like when the "</a>" is matched to + highlight it differently. But when the xmlFold region is nested (it + includes itself), the "extend" applies, so that the "</a>" of a nested + region only ends that region, and not the one it is contained in. + + *:syn-excludenl* + When a pattern for a match or end pattern of a region includes a '$' + to match the end-of-line, it will make a region item that it is + contained in continue on the next line. For example, a match with + "\\$" (backslash at the end of the line) can make a region continue + that would normally stop at the end of the line. This is the default + behavior. If this is not wanted, there are two ways to avoid it: + 1. Use "keepend" for the containing item. This will keep all + contained matches from extending the match or region. It can be + used when all contained items must not extend the containing item. + 2. Use "excludenl" in the contained item. This will keep that match + from extending the containing match or region. It can be used if + only some contained items must not extend the containing item. + "excludenl" must be given before the pattern it applies to. + + *:syn-matchgroup* + "matchgroup" can be used to highlight the start and/or end pattern + differently than the body of the region. Example: > + :syntax region String matchgroup=Quote start=+"+ skip=+\\"+ end=+"+ +< This will highlight the quotes with the "Quote" group, and the text in + between with the "String" group. + The "matchgroup" is used for all start and end patterns that follow, + until the next "matchgroup". Use "matchgroup=NONE" to go back to not + using a matchgroup. + + In a start or end pattern that is highlighted with "matchgroup" the + contained items of the region are not used. This can be used to avoid + that a contained item matches in the start or end pattern match. When + using "transparent", this does not apply to a start or end pattern + match that is highlighted with "matchgroup". + + Here is an example, which highlights three levels of parentheses in + different colors: > + :sy region par1 matchgroup=par1 start=/(/ end=/)/ contains=par2 + :sy region par2 matchgroup=par2 start=/(/ end=/)/ contains=par3 contained + :sy region par3 matchgroup=par3 start=/(/ end=/)/ contains=par1 contained + :hi par1 ctermfg=red guifg=red + :hi par2 ctermfg=blue guifg=blue + :hi par3 ctermfg=darkgreen guifg=darkgreen + +============================================================================== +6. :syntax arguments *:syn-arguments* + +The :syntax commands that define syntax items take a number of arguments. +The common ones are explained here. The arguments may be given in any order +and may be mixed with patterns. + +Not all commands accept all arguments. This table shows which arguments +can not be used for all commands: + *E395* *E396* + contains oneline fold display extend ~ +:syntax keyword - - - - - +:syntax match yes - yes yes yes +:syntax region yes yes yes yes yes + +These arguments can be used for all three commands: + contained + containedin + nextgroup + transparent + skipwhite + skipnl + skipempty + + +contained *:syn-contained* + +When the "contained" argument is given, this item will not be recognized at +the top level, but only when it is mentioned in the "contains" field of +another match. Example: > + :syntax keyword Todo TODO contained + :syntax match Comment "//.*" contains=Todo + + +display *:syn-display* + +If the "display" argument is given, this item will be skipped when the +detected highlighting will not be displayed. This will speed up highlighting, +by skipping this item when only finding the syntax state for the text that is +to be displayed. + +Generally, you can use "display" for match and region items that meet these +conditions: +- The item does not continue past the end of a line. Example for C: A region + for a "/*" comment can't contain "display", because it continues on the next + line. +- The item does not contain items that continue past the end of the line or + make it continue on the next line. +- The item does not change the size of any item it is contained in. Example + for C: A match with "\\$" in a preprocessor match can't have "display", + because it may make that preprocessor match shorter. +- The item does not allow other items to match that didn't match otherwise, + and that item may extend the match too far. Example for C: A match for a + "//" comment can't use "display", because a "/*" inside that comment would + match then and start a comment which extends past the end of the line. + +Examples, for the C language, where "display" can be used: +- match with a number +- match with a label + + +transparent *:syn-transparent* + +If the "transparent" argument is given, this item will not be highlighted +itself, but will take the highlighting of the item it is contained in. This +is useful for syntax items that don't need any highlighting but are used +only to skip over a part of the text. + +The "contains=" argument is also inherited from the item it is contained in, +unless a "contains" argument is given for the transparent item itself. To +avoid that unwanted items are contained, use "contains=NONE". Example, which +highlights words in strings, but makes an exception for "vim": > + :syn match myString /'[^']*'/ contains=myWord,myVim + :syn match myWord /\<[a-z]*\>/ contained + :syn match myVim /\<vim\>/ transparent contained contains=NONE + :hi link myString String + :hi link myWord Comment +Since the "myVim" match comes after "myWord" it is the preferred match (last +match in the same position overrules an earlier one). The "transparent" +argument makes the "myVim" match use the same highlighting as "myString". But +it does not contain anything. If the "contains=NONE" argument would be left +out, then "myVim" would use the contains argument from myString and allow +"myWord" to be contained, which will be highlighted as a Constant. This +happens because a contained match doesn't match inside itself in the same +position, thus the "myVim" match doesn't overrule the "myWord" match here. + +When you look at the colored text, it is like looking at layers of contained +items. The contained item is on top of the item it is contained in, thus you +see the contained item. When a contained item is transparent, you can look +through, thus you see the item it is contained in. In a picture: + + look from here + + | | | | | | + V V V V V V + + xxxx yyy more contained items + .................... contained item (transparent) + ============================= first item + +The 'x', 'y' and '=' represent a highlighted syntax item. The '.' represent a +transparent group. + +What you see is: + + =======xxxx=======yyy======== + +Thus you look through the transparent "....". + + +oneline *:syn-oneline* + +The "oneline" argument indicates that the region does not cross a line +boundary. It must match completely in the current line. However, when the +region has a contained item that does cross a line boundary, it continues on +the next line anyway. A contained item can be used to recognize a line +continuation pattern. But the "end" pattern must still match in the first +line, otherwise the region doesn't even start. + +When the start pattern includes a "\n" to match an end-of-line, the end +pattern must be found in the same line as where the start pattern ends. The +end pattern may also include an end-of-line. Thus the "oneline" argument +means that the end of the start pattern and the start of the end pattern must +be within one line. This can't be changed by a skip pattern that matches a +line break. + + +fold *:syn-fold* + +The "fold" argument makes the fold level increased by one for this item. +Example: > + :syn region myFold start="{" end="}" transparent fold + :syn sync fromstart + :set foldmethod=syntax +This will make each {} block form one fold. + +The fold will start on the line where the item starts, and end where the item +ends. If the start and end are within the same line, there is no fold. +The 'foldnestmax' option limits the nesting of syntax folds. +{not available when Vim was compiled without |+folding| feature} + + + *:syn-contains* *E405* *E406* *E407* *E408* *E409* +contains={groupname},.. + +The "contains" argument is followed by a list of syntax group names. These +groups will be allowed to begin inside the item (they may extend past the +containing group's end). This allows for recursive nesting of matches and +regions. If there is no "contains" argument, no groups will be contained in +this item. The group names do not need to be defined before they can be used +here. + +contains=ALL + If the only item in the contains list is "ALL", then all + groups will be accepted inside the item. + +contains=ALLBUT,{group-name},.. + If the first item in the contains list is "ALLBUT", then all + groups will be accepted inside the item, except the ones that + are listed. Example: > + :syntax region Block start="{" end="}" ... contains=ALLBUT,Function + +contains=TOP + If the first item in the contains list is "TOP", then all + groups will be accepted that don't have the "contained" + argument. +contains=TOP,{group-name},.. + Like "TOP", but excluding the groups that are listed. + +contains=CONTAINED + If the first item in the contains list is "CONTAINED", then + all groups will be accepted that have the "contained" + argument. +contains=CONTAINED,{group-name},.. + Like "CONTAINED", but excluding the groups that are + listed. + + +The {group-name} in the "contains" list can be a pattern. All group names +that match the pattern will be included (or excluded, if "ALLBUT" is used). +The pattern cannot contain white space or a ','. Example: > + ... contains=Comment.*,Keyw[0-3] +The matching will be done at moment the syntax command is executed. Groups +that are defined later will not be matched. Also, if the current syntax +command defines a new group, it is not matched. Be careful: When putting +syntax commands in a file you can't rely on groups NOT being defined, because +the file may have been sourced before, and ":syn clear" doesn't remove the +group names. + +The contained groups will also match in the start and end patterns of a +region. If this is not wanted, the "matchgroup" argument can be used +|:syn-matchgroup|. The "ms=" and "me=" offsets can be used to change the +region where contained items do match. Note that this may also limit the +area that is highlighted + + +containedin={groupname}... *:syn-containedin* + +The "containedin" argument is followed by a list of syntax group names. The +item will be allowed to begin inside these groups. This works as if the +containing item has a "contains=" argument that includes this item. + +The {groupname}... can be used just like for "contains", as explained above. + +This is useful when adding a syntax item afterwards. An item can be told to +be included inside an already existing item, without changing the definition +of that item. For example, to highlight a word in a C comment after loading +the C syntax: > + :syn keyword myword HELP containedin=cComment contained +Note that "contained" is also used, to avoid that the item matches at the top +level. + +Matches for "containedin" are added to the other places where the item can +appear. A "contains" argument may also be added as usual. Don't forget that +keywords never contain another item, thus adding them to "containedin" won't +work. + + +nextgroup={groupname},.. *:syn-nextgroup* + +The "nextgroup" argument is followed by a list of syntax group names, +separated by commas (just like with "contains", so you can also use patterns). + +If the "nextgroup" argument is given, the mentioned syntax groups will be +tried for a match, after the match or region ends. If none of the groups have +a match, highlighting continues normally. If there is a match, this group +will be used, even when it is not mentioned in the "contains" field of the +current group. This is like giving the mentioned group priority over all +other groups. Example: > + :syntax match ccFoobar "Foo.\{-}Bar" contains=ccFoo + :syntax match ccFoo "Foo" contained nextgroup=ccFiller + :syntax region ccFiller start="." matchgroup=ccBar end="Bar" contained + +This will highlight "Foo" and "Bar" differently, and only when there is a +"Bar" after "Foo". In the text line below, "f" shows where ccFoo is used for +highlighting, and "bbb" where ccBar is used. > + + Foo asdfasd Bar asdf Foo asdf Bar asdf + fff bbb fff bbb + +Note the use of ".\{-}" to skip as little as possible until the next Bar. +when ".*" would be used, the "asdf" in between "Bar" and "Foo" would be +highlighted according to the "ccFoobar" group, because the ccFooBar match +would include the first "Foo" and the last "Bar" in the line (see |pattern|). + + +skipwhite *:syn-skipwhite* +skipnl *:syn-skipnl* +skipempty *:syn-skipempty* + +These arguments are only used in combination with "nextgroup". They can be +used to allow the next group to match after skipping some text: + skipwhite skip over space and Tab characters + skipnl skip over the end of a line + skipempty skip over empty lines (implies a "skipnl") + +When "skipwhite" is present, the white space is only skipped if there is no +next group that matches the white space. + +When "skipnl" is present, the match with nextgroup may be found in the next +line. This only happens when the current item ends at the end of the current +line! When "skipnl" is not present, the nextgroup will only be found after +the current item in the same line. + +When skipping text while looking for a next group, the matches for other +groups are ignored. Only when no next group matches, other items are tried +for a match again. This means that matching a next group and skipping white +space and <EOL>s has a higher priority than other items. + +Example: > + :syn match ifstart "\<if.*" nextgroup=ifline skipwhite skipempty + :syn match ifline "[^ \t].*" nextgroup=ifline skipwhite skipempty contained + :syn match ifline "endif" contained +Note that the "[^ \t].*" match matches all non-white text. Thus it would also +match "endif". Therefore the "endif" match is put last, so that it takes +precedence. +Note that this example doesn't work for nested "if"s. You need to add +"contains" arguments to make that work (omitted for simplicity of the +example). + +============================================================================== +7. Syntax patterns *:syn-pattern* *E401* *E402* + +In the syntax commands, a pattern must be surrounded by two identical +characters. This is like it works for the ":s" command. The most common to +use is the double quote. But if the pattern contains a double quote, you can +use another character that is not used in the pattern. Examples: > + :syntax region Comment start="/\*" end="\*/" + :syntax region String start=+"+ end=+"+ skip=+\\"+ + +See |pattern| for the explanation of what a pattern is. Syntax patterns are +always interpreted like the 'magic' options is set, no matter what the actual +value of 'magic' is. And the patterns are interpreted like the 'l' flag is +not included in 'cpoptions'. This was done to make syntax files portable and +independent of 'compatible' and 'magic' settings. + +Try to avoid patterns that can match an empty string, such as "[a-z]*". +This slows down the highlighting a lot, because it matches everywhere. + + *:syn-pattern-offset* +The pattern can be followed by a character offset. This can be used to +change the highlighted part, and to change the text area included in the +match or region (which only matters when trying to match other items). Both +are relative to the matched pattern. The character offset for a skip +pattern can be used to tell where to continue looking for an end pattern. + +The offset takes the form of "{what}={offset}" +The {what} can be one of seven strings: + +ms Match Start offset for the start of the matched text +me Match End offset for the end of the matched text +hs Highlight Start offset for where the highlighting starts +he Highlight End offset for where the highlighting ends +rs Region Start offset for where the body of a region starts +re Region End offset for where the body of a region ends +lc Leading Context offset past "leading context" of pattern + +The {offset} can be: + +s start of the matched pattern +s+{nr} start of the matched pattern plus {nr} chars to the right +s-{nr} start of the matched pattern plus {nr} chars to the left +e end of the matched pattern +e+{nr} end of the matched pattern plus {nr} chars to the right +e-{nr} end of the matched pattern plus {nr} chars to the left +{nr} (for "lc" only): start matching {nr} chars to the left + +Examples: "ms=s+1", "hs=e-2", "lc=3". + +Although all offsets are accepted after any pattern, they are not always +meaningful. This table shows which offsets are actually used: + + ms me hs he rs re lc ~ +match item yes yes yes yes - - yes +region item start yes - yes - yes - yes +region item skip - yes - - - - yes +region item end - yes - yes - yes yes + +Offsets can be concatenated, with a ',' in between. Example: > + :syn match String /"[^"]*"/hs=s+1,he=e-1 +< + some "string" text + ^^^^^^ highlighted + +Notes: +- There must be no white space between the pattern and the character + offset(s). +- The highlighted area will never be outside of the matched text. +- A negative offset for an end pattern may not always work, because the end + pattern may be detected when the highlighting should already have stopped. +- The start of a match cannot be in a line other than where the pattern + matched. This doesn't work: "a\nb"ms=e. You can make the highlighting + start in another line, this does work: "a\nb"hs=e. + +Example (match a comment but don't highlight the /* and */): > + :syntax region Comment start="/\*"hs=e+1 end="\*/"he=s-1 +< + /* this is a comment */ + ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ highlighted + +A more complicated Example: > + :syn region Exa matchgroup=Foo start="foo"hs=s+2,rs=e+2 matchgroup=Bar end="bar"me=e-1,he=e-1,re=s-1 +< + abcfoostringbarabc + mmmmmmmmmmm match + ssrrrreee highlight start/region/end ("Foo", "Exa" and "Bar") + +Leading context *:syn-lc* *:syn-leading* *:syn-context* + +Note: This is an obsolete feature, only included for backwards compatibility +with previous Vim versions. It's now recommended to use the |/\@<=| construct +in the pattern. + +The "lc" offset specifies leading context -- a part of the pattern that must +be present, but is not considered part of the match. An offset of "lc=n" will +cause Vim to step back n columns before attempting the pattern match, allowing +characters which have already been matched in previous patterns to also be +used as leading context for this match. This can be used, for instance, to +specify that an "escaping" character must not precede the match: > + + :syn match ZNoBackslash "[^\\]z"ms=s+1 + :syn match WNoBackslash "[^\\]w"lc=1 + :syn match Underline "_\+" +< + ___zzzz ___wwww + ^^^ ^^^ matches Underline + ^ ^ matches ZNoBackslash + ^^^^ matches WNoBackslash + +The "ms" offset is automatically set to the same value as the "lc" offset, +unless you set "ms" explicitly. + + +Multi-line patterns *:syn-multi-line* + +The patterns can include "\n" to match an end-of-line. Mostly this works as +expected, but there are a few exceptions. + +When using a start pattern with an offset, the start of the match is not +allowed to start in a following line. The highlighting can start in a +following line though. + +The skip pattern can include the "\n", but the search for an end pattern will +continue in the first character of the next line, also when that character is +matched by the skip pattern. This is because redrawing may start in any line +halfway a region and there is no check if the skip pattern started in a +previous line. For example, if the skip pattern is "a\nb" and an end pattern +is "b", the end pattern does match in the second line of this: > + x x a + b x x +Generally this means that the skip pattern should not match any characters +after the "\n". + + +External matches *:syn-ext-match* + +These extra regular expression items are available in region patterns: + + */\z(* */\z(\)* *E50* *E52* + \z(\) Marks the sub-expression as "external", meaning that it is can + be accessed from another pattern match. Currently only usable + in defining a syntax region start pattern. + + */\z1* */\z2* */\z3* */\z4* */\z5* + \z1 ... \z9 */\z6* */\z7* */\z8* */\z9* *E66* *E67* + Matches the same string that was matched by the corresponding + sub-expression in a previous start pattern match. + +Sometimes the start and end patterns of a region need to share a common +sub-expression. A common example is the "here" document in Perl and many Unix +shells. This effect can be achieved with the "\z" special regular expression +items, which marks a sub-expression as "external", in the sense that it can be +referenced from outside the pattern in which it is defined. The here-document +example, for instance, can be done like this: > + :syn region hereDoc start="<<\z(\I\i*\)" end="^\z1$" + +As can be seen here, the \z actually does double duty. In the start pattern, +it marks the "\(\I\i*\)" sub-expression as external; in the end pattern, it +changes the \1 back-reference into an external reference referring to the +first external sub-expression in the start pattern. External references can +also be used in skip patterns: > + :syn region foo start="start \(\I\i*\)" skip="not end \z1" end="end \z1" + +Note that normal and external sub-expressions are completely orthogonal and +indexed separately; for instance, if the pattern "\z(..\)\(..\)" is applied +to the string "aabb", then \1 will refer to "bb" and \z1 will refer to "aa". +Note also that external sub-expressions cannot be accessed as back-references +within the same pattern like normal sub-expressions. If you want to use one +sub-expression as both a normal and an external sub-expression, you can nest +the two, as in "\(\z(...\)\)". + +Note that only matches within a single line can be used. Multi-line matches +cannot be referred to. + +============================================================================== +8. Syntax clusters *:syn-cluster* *E400* + +:sy[ntax] cluster {cluster-name} [contains={group-name}..] + [add={group-name}..] + [remove={group-name}..] + +This command allows you to cluster a list of syntax groups together under a +single name. + + contains={group-name}.. + The cluster is set to the specified list of groups. + add={group-name}.. + The specified groups are added to the cluster. + remove={group-name}.. + The specified groups are removed from the cluster. + +A cluster so defined may be referred to in a contains=.., nextgroup=.., add=.. +or remove=.. list with a "@" prefix. You can also use this notation to +implicitly declare a cluster before specifying its contents. + +Example: > + :syntax match Thing "# [^#]\+ #" contains=@ThingMembers + :syntax cluster ThingMembers contains=ThingMember1,ThingMember2 + +As the previous example suggests, modifications to a cluster are effectively +retroactive; the membership of the cluster is checked at the last minute, so +to speak: > + :syntax keyword A aaa + :syntax keyword B bbb + :syntax cluster AandB contains=A + :syntax match Stuff "( aaa bbb )" contains=@AandB + :syntax cluster AandB add=B " now both keywords are matched in Stuff + +This also has implications for nested clusters: > + :syntax keyword A aaa + :syntax keyword B bbb + :syntax cluster SmallGroup contains=B + :syntax cluster BigGroup contains=A,@SmallGroup + :syntax match Stuff "( aaa bbb )" contains=@BigGroup + :syntax cluster BigGroup remove=B " no effect, since B isn't in BigGroup + :syntax cluster SmallGroup remove=B " now bbb isn't matched within Stuff + +============================================================================== +9. Including syntax files *:syn-include* *E397* + +It is often useful for one language's syntax file to include a syntax file for +a related language. Depending on the exact relationship, this can be done in +two different ways: + + - If top-level syntax items in the included syntax file are to be + allowed at the top level in the including syntax, you can simply use + the |:runtime| command: > + + " In cpp.vim: + :runtime! syntax/c.vim + :unlet b:current_syntax + +< - If top-level syntax items in the included syntax file are to be + contained within a region in the including syntax, you can use the + ":syntax include" command: + +:sy[ntax] include [@{grouplist-name}] {file-name} + + All syntax items declared in the included file will have the + "contained" flag added. In addition, if a group list is specified, + all top-level syntax items in the included file will be added to + that list. > + + " In perl.vim: + :syntax include @Pod <sfile>:p:h/pod.vim + :syntax region perlPOD start="^=head" end="^=cut" contains=@Pod +< + When {file-name} is an absolute path (starts with "/", "c:", "$VAR" + or "<sfile>") that file is sourced. When it is a relative path + (e.g., "syntax/pod.vim") the file is searched for in 'runtimepath'. + All matching files are loaded. Using a relative path is + recommended, because it allows a user to replace the included file + with his own version, without replacing the file that does the ":syn + include". + +============================================================================== +10. Synchronizing *:syn-sync* *E403* *E404* + +Vim wants to be able to start redrawing in any position in the document. To +make this possible it needs to know the syntax state at the position where +redrawing starts. + +:sy[ntax] sync [ccomment [group-name] | minlines={N} | ...] + +There are four ways to synchronize: +1. Always parse from the start of the file. + |:syn-sync-first| +2. Based on C-style comments. Vim understands how C-comments work and can + figure out if the current line starts inside or outside a comment. + |:syn-sync-second| +3. Jumping back a certain number of lines and start parsing there. + |:syn-sync-third| +4. Searching backwards in the text for a pattern to sync on. + |:syn-sync-fourth| + + *:syn-sync-maxlines* *:syn-sync-minlines* +For the last three methods, the line range where the parsing can start is +limited by "minlines" and "maxlines". + +If the "minlines={N}" argument is given, the parsing always starts at least +that many lines backwards. This can be used if the parsing may take a few +lines before it's correct, or when it's not possible to use syncing. + +If the "maxlines={N}" argument is given, the number of lines that are searched +for a comment or syncing pattern is restricted to N lines backwards (after +adding "minlines"). This is useful if you have few things to sync on and a +slow machine. Example: > + :syntax sync ccomment maxlines=500 +< + *:syn-sync-linebreaks* +When using a pattern that matches multiple lines, a change in one line may +cause a pattern to no longer match in a previous line. This means has to +start above where the change was made. How many lines can be specified with +the "linebreaks" argument. For example, when a pattern may include one line +break use this: > + :syntax sync linebreaks=1 +The result is that redrawing always starts at least one line before where a +change was made. The default value for "linebreaks" is zero. Usually the +value for "minlines" is bigger than "linebreaks". + + +First syncing method: *:syn-sync-first* +> + :syntax sync fromstart + +The file will be parsed from the start. This makes syntax highlighting +accurate, but can be slow for long files. Vim caches previously parsed text, +so that it's only slow when parsing the text for the first time. However, +when making changes some part of the next needs to be parsed again (worst +case: to the end of the file). + +Using "fromstart" is equivalent to using "minlines" with a very large number. + + +Second syncing method: *:syn-sync-second* *:syn-sync-ccomment* + +For the second method, only the "ccomment" argument needs to be given. +Example: > + :syntax sync ccomment + +When Vim finds that the line where displaying starts is inside a C-style +comment, the last region syntax item with the group-name "Comment" will be +used. This requires that there is a region with the group-name "Comment"! +An alternate group name can be specified, for example: > + :syntax sync ccomment javaComment +This means that the last item specified with "syn region javaComment" will be +used for the detected C comment region. This only works properly if that +region does have a start pattern "\/*" and an end pattern "*\/". + +The "maxlines" argument can be used to restrict the search to a number of +lines. The "minlines" argument can be used to at least start a number of +lines back (e.g., for when there is some construct that only takes a few +lines, but it hard to sync on). + +Note: Syncing on a C comment doesn't work properly when strings are used +that cross a line and contain a "*/". Since letting strings cross a line +is a bad programming habit (many compilers give a warning message), and the +chance of a "*/" appearing inside a comment is very small, this restriction +is hardly ever noticed. + + +Third syncing method: *:syn-sync-third* + +For the third method, only the "minlines={N}" argument needs to be given. +Vim will subtract {N} from the line number and start parsing there. This +means {N} extra lines need to be parsed, which makes this method a bit slower. +Example: > + :syntax sync minlines=50 + +"lines" is equivalent to "minlines" (used by older versions). + + +Fourth syncing method: *:syn-sync-fourth* + +The idea is to synchronize on the end of a few specific regions, called a +sync pattern. Only regions can cross lines, so when we find the end of some +region, we might be able to know in which syntax item we are. The search +starts in the line just above the one where redrawing starts. From there +the search continues backwards in the file. + +This works just like the non-syncing syntax items. You can use contained +matches, nextgroup, etc. But there are a few differences: +- Keywords cannot be used. +- The syntax items with the "sync" keyword form a completely separated group + of syntax items. You can't mix syncing groups and non-syncing groups. +- The matching works backwards in the buffer (line by line), instead of + forwards. +- A line continuation pattern can be given. It is used to decide which group + of lines need to be searched like they were one line. This means that the + search for a match with the specified items starts in the first of the + consecutive that contain the continuation pattern. +- When using "nextgroup" or "contains", this only works within one line (or + group of continued lines). +- When using a region, it must start and end in the same line (or group of + continued lines). Otherwise the end is assumed to be at the end of the + line (or group of continued lines). +- When a match with a sync pattern is found, the rest of the line (or group of + continued lines) is searched for another match. The last match is used. + This is used when a line can contain both the start end the end of a region + (e.g., in a C-comment like /* this */, the last "*/" is used). + +There are two ways how a match with a sync pattern can be used: +1. Parsing for highlighting starts where redrawing starts (and where the + search for the sync pattern started). The syntax group that is expected + to be valid there must be specified. This works well when the regions + that cross lines cannot contain other regions. +2. Parsing for highlighting continues just after the match. The syntax group + that is expected to be present just after the match must be specified. + This can be used when the previous method doesn't work well. It's much + slower, because more text needs to be parsed. +Both types of sync patterns can be used at the same time. + +Besides the sync patterns, other matches and regions can be specified, to +avoid finding unwanted matches. + +[The reason that the sync patterns are given separately, is that mostly the +search for the sync point can be much simpler than figuring out the +highlighting. The reduced number of patterns means it will go (much) +faster.] + + *syn-sync-grouphere* *E393* *E394* + :syntax sync match {sync-group-name} grouphere {group-name} "pattern" .. + + Define a match that is used for syncing. {group-name} is the + name of a syntax group that follows just after the match. Parsing + of the text for highlighting starts just after the match. A region + must exist for this {group-name}. The first one defined will be used. + "NONE" can be used for when there is no syntax group after the match. + + *syn-sync-groupthere* + :syntax sync match {sync-group-name} groupthere {group-name} "pattern" .. + + Like "grouphere", but {group-name} is the name of a syntax group that + is to be used at the start of the line where searching for the sync + point started. The text between the match and the start of the sync + pattern searching is assumed not to change the syntax highlighting. + For example, in C you could search backwards for "/*" and "*/". If + "/*" is found first, you know that you are inside a comment, so the + "groupthere" is "cComment". If "*/" is found first, you know that you + are not in a comment, so the "groupthere" is "NONE". (in practice + it's a bit more complicated, because the "/*" and "*/" could appear + inside a string. That's left as an exercise to the reader...). + + :syntax sync match .. + :syntax sync region .. + + Without a "groupthere" argument. Define a region or match that is + skipped while searching for a sync point. + + :syntax sync linecont {pattern} + + When {pattern} matches in a line, it is considered to continue in + the next line. This means that the search for a sync point will + consider the lines to be concatenated. + +If the "maxlines={N}" argument is given too, the number of lines that are +searched for a match is restricted to N. This is useful if you have very +few things to sync on and a slow machine. Example: > + :syntax sync maxlines=100 + +You can clear all sync settings with: > + :syntax sync clear + +You can clear specific sync patterns with: > + :syntax sync clear {sync-group-name} .. + +============================================================================== +11. Listing syntax items *:syntax* *:sy* *:syn* *:syn-list* + +This commands lists all the syntax items: > + + :sy[ntax] [list] + +To show the syntax items for one syntax group: > + + :sy[ntax] list {group-name} + +To list the syntax groups in one cluster: *E392* > + + :sy[ntax] list @{cluster-name} + +See above for other arguments for the ":syntax" command. + +Note that the ":syntax" command can be abbreviated to ":sy", although ":syn" +is mostly used, because it looks better. + +============================================================================== +12. Highlight command *:highlight* *:hi* *E28* *E411* *E415* + +There are three types of highlight groups: +- The ones used for specific languages. For these the name starts with the + name of the language. Many of these don't have any attributes, but are + linked to a group of the second type. +- The ones used for all syntax languages. +- The ones used for the 'highlight' option. + *hitest.vim* +You can see all the groups currently active with this command: > + :so $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/hitest.vim +This will open a new window containing all highlight group names, displayed +in their own color. + + *:colo* *:colorscheme* *E185* +:colo[rscheme] {name} Load color scheme {name}. This searches 'runtimepath' + for the file "colors/{name}.vim. The first one that + is found is loaded. + To see the name of the currently active color scheme + (if there is one): > + :echo g:colors_name +< Doesn't work recursively, thus you can't use + ":colorscheme" in a color scheme script. + +:hi[ghlight] List all the current highlight groups that have + attributes set. + +:hi[ghlight] {group-name} + List one highlight group. + +:hi[ghlight] clear Reset all highlighting to the defaults. Removes all + highlighting for groups added by the user! + Uses the current value of 'background' to decide which + default colors to use. + +:hi[ghlight] clear {group-name} +:hi[ghlight] {group-name} NONE + Disable the highlighting for one highlight group. It + is _not_ set back to the default colors. + +:hi[ghlight] [default] {group-name} {key}={arg} .. + Add a highlight group, or change the highlighting for + an existing group. + See |highlight-args| for the {key}={arg} arguments. + See |:highlight-default| for the optional [default] + argument. + +Normally a highlight group is added once when starting up. This sets the +default values for the highlighting. After that, you can use additional +highlight commands to change the arguments that you want to set to non-default +values. The value "NONE" can be used to switch the value off or go back to +the default value. + +A simple way to change colors is with the |:colorscheme| command. This loads +a file with ":highlight" commands such as this: > + + :hi Comment gui=bold + +Note that all settings that are not included remain the same, only the +specified field is used, and settings are merged with previous ones. So, the +result is like this single command has been used: > + :hi Comment term=bold ctermfg=Cyan guifg=#80a0ff gui=bold +< + *highlight-args* *E416* *E417* *E423* +There are three types of terminals for highlighting: +term a normal terminal (vt100, xterm) +cterm a color terminal (MS-DOS console, color-xterm, these have the "Co" + termcap entry) +gui the GUI + +For each type the highlighting can be given. This makes it possible to use +the same syntax file on all terminals, and use the optimal highlighting. + +1. highlight arguments for normal terminals + +term={attr-list} *attr-list* *highlight-term* *E418* + attr-list is a comma separated list (without spaces) of the + following items (in any order): + bold + underline + reverse + inverse same as reverse + italic + standout + NONE no attributes used (used to reset it) + + Note that "bold" can be used here and by using a bold font. They + have the same effect. + +start={term-list} *highlight-start* *E422* +stop={term-list} *term-list* *highlight-stop* + These lists of terminal codes can be used to get + non-standard attributes on a terminal. + + The escape sequence specified with the "start" argument + is written before the characters in the highlighted + area. It can be anything that you want to send to the + terminal to highlight this area. The escape sequence + specified with the "stop" argument is written after the + highlighted area. This should undo the "start" argument. + Otherwise the screen will look messed up. + + The {term-list} can have two forms: + + 1. A string with escape sequences. + This is any string of characters, except that it can't start with + "t_" and blanks are not allowed. The <> notation is recognized + here, so you can use things like "<Esc>" and "<Space>". Example: + start=<Esc>[27h;<Esc>[<Space>r; + + 2. A list of terminal codes. + Each terminal code has the form "t_xx", where "xx" is the name of + the termcap entry. The codes have to be separated with commas. + White space is not allowed. Example: + start=t_C1,t_BL + The terminal codes must exist for this to work. + + +2. highlight arguments for color terminals + +cterm={attr-list} *highlight-cterm* + See above for the description of {attr-list} |attr-list|. + The "cterm" argument is likely to be different from "term", when + colors are used. For example, in a normal terminal comments could + be underlined, in a color terminal they can be made Blue. + Note: Many terminals (e.g., DOS console) can't mix these attributes + with coloring. Use only one of "cterm=" OR "ctermfg=" OR "ctermbg=". + +ctermfg={color-nr} *highlight-ctermfg* *E421* +ctermbg={color-nr} *highlight-ctermbg* + The {color-nr} argument is a color number. Its range is zero to + (not including) the number given by the termcap entry "Co". + The actual color with this number depends on the type of terminal + and its settings. Sometimes the color also depends on the settings of + "cterm". For example, on some systems "cterm=bold ctermfg=3" gives + another color, on others you just get color 3. + + For an xterm this depends on your resources, and is a bit + unpredictable. See your xterm documentation for the defaults. The + colors for a color-xterm can be changed from the .Xdefaults file. + Unfortunately this means that it's not possible to get the same colors + for each user. See |xterm-color| for info about color xterms. + + The MSDOS standard colors are fixed (in a console window), so these + have been used for the names. But the meaning of color names in X11 + are fixed, so these color settings have been used, to make the + highlighting settings portable (complicated, isn't it?). The + following names are recognized, with the color number used: + + *cterm-colors* + NR-16 NR-8 COLOR NAME ~ + 0 0 Black + 1 4 DarkBlue + 2 2 DarkGreen + 3 6 DarkCyan + 4 1 DarkRed + 5 5 DarkMagenta + 6 3 Brown, DarkYellow + 7 7 LightGray, LightGrey, Gray, Grey + 8 0* DarkGray, DarkGrey + 9 4* Blue, LightBlue + 10 2* Green, LightGreen + 11 6* Cyan, LightCyan + 12 1* Red, LightRed + 13 5* Magenta, LightMagenta + 14 3* Yellow, LightYellow + 15 7* White + + The number under "NR-16" is used for 16-color terminals ('t_Co' + greater than or equal to 16). The number under "NR-8" is used for + 8-color terminals ('t_Co' less than 16). The '*' indicates that the + bold attribute is set for ctermfg. In many 8-color terminals (e.g., + "linux"), this causes the bright colors to appear. This doesn't work + for background colors! Without the '*' the bold attribute is removed. + If you want to set the bold attribute in a different way, put a + "cterm=" argument AFTER the "ctermfg=" or "ctermbg=" argument. Or use + a number instead of a color name. + + The case of the color names is ignored. + Note that for 16 color ansi style terminals (including xterms), the + numbers in the NR-8 column is used. Here '*' means 'add 8' so that Blue + is 12, DarkGray is 8 etc. + + Note that for some color terminals these names may result in the wrong + colors! + + *:hi-normal-cterm* + When setting the "ctermfg" or "ctermbg" colors for the Normal group, + these will become the colors used for the non-highlighted text. + Example: > + :highlight Normal ctermfg=grey ctermbg=darkblue +< When setting the "ctermbg" color for the Normal group, the + 'background' option will be adjusted automatically. This causes the + highlight groups that depend on 'background' to change! This means + you should set the colors for Normal first, before setting other + colors. + When a colorscheme is being used, changing 'background' causes it to + be reloaded, which may reset all colors (including Normal). First + delete the "colors_name" variable when you don't want this. + + When you have set "ctermfg" or "ctermbg" for the Normal group, Vim + needs to reset the color when exiting. This is done with the "op" + termcap entry |t_op|. If this doesn't work correctly, try setting the + 't_op' option in your .vimrc. + *E419* *E420* + When Vim knows the normal foreground and background colors, "fg" and + "bg" can be used as color names. This only works after setting the + colors for the Normal group and for the MS-DOS console. Example, for + reverse video: > + :highlight Visual ctermfg=bg ctermbg=fg +< Note that the colors are used that are valid at the moment this + command are given. If the Normal group colors are changed later, the + "fg" and "bg" colors will not be adjusted. + + +3. highlight arguments for the GUI + +gui={attr-list} *highlight-gui* + These give the attributes to use in the GUI mode. + See |attr-list| for a description. + Note that "bold" can be used here and by using a bold font. They + have the same effect. + Note that the attributes are ignored for the "Normal" group. + +font={font-name} *highlight-font* + font-name is the name of a font, as it is used on the system Vim + runs on. For X11 this is a complicated name, for example: > + font=-misc-fixed-bold-r-normal--14-130-75-75-c-70-iso8859-1 +< + The font-name "NONE" can be used to revert to the default font. + When setting the font for the "Normal" group, this becomes the default + font (until the 'guifont' option is changed; the last one set is + used). + The following only works with Motif and Athena, not with other GUIs: + When setting the font for the "Menu" group, the menus will be changed. + When setting the font for the "Tooltip" group, the tooltips will be + changed. + All fonts used, except for Menu and Tooltip, should be of the same + character size as the default font! Otherwise redrawing problems will + occur. + +guifg={color-name} *highlight-guifg* +guibg={color-name} *highlight-guibg* + These give the foreground (guifg) and background (guibg) color to + use in the GUI. There are a few special names: + NONE no color (transparent) + bg use normal background color + background use normal background color + fg use normal foreground color + foreground use normal foreground color + To use a color name with an embedded space or other special character, + put it in single quotes. The single quote cannot be used then. + Example: > + :hi comment guifg='salmon pink' +< + *gui-colors* + Suggested color names (these are available on most systems): + Red LightRed DarkRed + Green LightGreen DarkGreen SeaGreen + Blue LightBlue DarkBlue SlateBlue + Cyan LightCyan DarkCyan + Magenta LightMagenta DarkMagenta + Yellow LightYellow Brown DarkYellow + Gray LightGray DarkGray + Black White + Orange Purple Violet + + In the Win32 GUI version, additional system colors are available. See + |win32-colors|. + + You can also specify a color by its Red, Green and Blue values. + The format is "#rrggbb", where + "rr" is the Red value + "bb" is the Blue value + "gg" is the Green value + All values are hexadecimal, range from "00" to "ff". Examples: > + :highlight Comment guifg=#11f0c3 guibg=#ff00ff +< + *highlight-groups* *highlight-default* +These are the default highlighting groups. These groups are used by the +'highlight' option default. Note that the highlighting depends on the value +of 'background'. You can see the current settings with the ":highlight" +command. + *hl-Cursor* +Cursor the character under the cursor + *hl-CursorIM* +CursorIM like Cursor, but used when in IME mode |CursorIM| + *hl-Directory* +Directory directory names (and other special names in listings) + *hl-DiffAdd* +DiffAdd diff mode: Added line |diff.txt| + *hl-DiffChange* +DiffChange diff mode: Changed line |diff.txt| + *hl-DiffDelete* +DiffDelete diff mode: Deleted line |diff.txt| + *hl-DiffText* +DiffText diff mode: Changed text within a changed line |diff.txt| + *hl-ErrorMsg* +ErrorMsg error messages on the command line + *hl-VertSplit* +VertSplit the column separating vertically split windows + *hl-Folded* +Folded line used for closed folds + *hl-FoldColumn* +FoldColumn 'foldcolumn' + *hl-SignColumn* +SignColumn column where |signs| are displayed + *hl-IncSearch* +IncSearch 'incsearch' highlighting; also used for the text replaced with + ":s///c" + *hl-LineNr* +LineNr line number for ":number" and ":#" commands, and when 'number' + option is set. + *hl-ModeMsg* +ModeMsg 'showmode' message (e.g., "-- INSERT --") + *hl-MoreMsg* +MoreMsg |more-prompt| + *hl-NonText* +NonText '~' and '@' at the end of the window, characters from + 'showbreak' and other characters that do not really exist in + the text (e.g., ">" displayed when a double-wide character + doesn't fit at the end of the line). + *hl-Normal* +Normal normal text + *hl-Question* +Question |hit-enter| prompt and yes/no questions + *hl-Search* +Search Last search pattern highlighting (see 'hlsearch'). + Also used for highlighting the current line in the quickfix + window and similar items that need to stand out. + *hl-SpecialKey* +SpecialKey Meta and special keys listed with ":map", also for text used + to show unprintable characters in the text, 'listchars'. + Generally: text that is displayed differently from what it + really is. + *hl-StatusLine* +StatusLine status line of current window + *hl-StatusLineNC* +StatusLineNC status lines of not-current windows + Note: if this is equal to "StatusLine" Vim will use "^^^" in + the status line of the current window. + *hl-Title* +Title titles for output from ":set all", ":autocmd" etc. + *hl-Visual* +Visual Visual mode selection + *hl-VisualNOS* +VisualNOS Visual mode selection when vim is "Not Owning the Selection". + Only X11 Gui's |gui-x11| and |xterm-clipboard| supports this. + *hl-WarningMsg* +WarningMsg warning messages + *hl-WildMenu* +WildMenu current match in 'wildmenu' completion + + *hl-User1* *hl-User1..9* +The 'statusline' syntax allows the use of 9 different highlights in the +statusline and ruler (via 'rulerformat'). The names are User1 to User9. + +For the GUI you can use these groups to set the colors for the menu, +scrollbars and tooltips. They don't have defaults. This doesn't work for the +Win32 GUI. Only three highlight arguments have any effect here: font, guibg, +and guifg. + + *hl-Menu* +Menu Current font, background and foreground colors of the menus. + Also used for the toolbar. + Applicable highlight arguments: font, guibg, guifg. + + NOTE: For Motif and Athena the font argument actually + specifies a fontset at all times, no matter if 'guifontset' is + empty, and as such it is tied to the current |:language| when + set. + + *hl-Scrollbar* +Scrollbar Current background and foreground of the main window's + scrollbars. + Applicable highlight arguments: guibg, guifg. + + *hl-Tooltip* +Tooltip Current font, background and foreground of the tooltips. + Applicable highlight arguments: font, guibg, guifg. + + NOTE: For Motif and Athena the font argument actually + specifies a fontset at all times, no matter if 'guifontset' is + empty, and as such it is tied to the current |:language| when + set. + +============================================================================== +13. Linking groups *:hi-link* *:highlight-link* *E412* *E413* + +When you want to use the same highlighting for several syntax groups, you +can do this more easily by linking the groups into one common highlight +group, and give the color attributes only for that group. + +To set a link: + + :hi[ghlight][!] [default] link {from-group} {to-group} + +To remove a link: + + :hi[ghlight][!] [default] link {from-group} NONE + +Notes: *E414* +- If the {from-group} and/or {to-group} doesn't exist, it is created. You + don't get an error message for a non-existing group. +- As soon as you use a ":highlight" command for a linked group, the link is + removed. +- If there are already highlight settings for the {from-group}, the link is + not made, unless the '!' is given. For a ":highlight link" command in a + sourced file, you don't get an error message. This can be used to skip + links for groups that already have settings. + + *:hi-default* *:highlight-default* +The [default] argument is used for setting the default highlighting for a +group. If highlighting has already been specified for the group the command +will be ignored. Also when there is an existing link. + +Using [default] is especially useful to overrule the highlighting of a +specific syntax file. For example, the C syntax file contains: > + :highlight default link cComment Comment +If you like Question highlighting for C comments, put this in your vimrc file: > + :highlight link cComment Question +Without the "default" in the C syntax file, the highlighting would be +overruled when the syntax file is loaded. + +============================================================================== +14. Cleaning up *:syn-clear* *E391* + +If you want to clear the syntax stuff for the current buffer, you can use this +command: > + :syntax clear + +This command should be used when you want to switch off syntax highlighting, +or when you want to switch to using another syntax. It's normally not needed +in a syntax file itself, because syntax is cleared by the autocommands that +load the syntax file. +The command also deletes the "b:current_syntax" variable, since no syntax is +loaded after this command. + +If you want to disable syntax highlighting for all buffers, you need to remove +the autocommands that load the syntax files: > + :syntax off + +What this command actually does, is executing the command > + :source $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/nosyntax.vim +See the "nosyntax.vim" file for details. Note that for this to work +$VIMRUNTIME must be valid. See |$VIMRUNTIME|. + +To clean up specific syntax groups for the current buffer: > + :syntax clear {group-name} .. +This removes all patterns and keywords for {group-name}. + +To clean up specific syntax group lists for the current buffer: > + :syntax clear @{grouplist-name} .. +This sets {grouplist-name}'s contents to an empty list. + + *:syntax-reset* *:syn-reset* +If you have changed the colors and messed them up, use this command to get the +defaults back: > + + :syntax reset + +This doesn't change the colors for the 'highlight' option. + +Note that the syntax colors that you set in your vimrc file will also be reset +back to their Vim default. +Note that if you are using a color scheme, the colors defined by the color +scheme for syntax highlighting will be lost. + +What this actually does is: > + + let g:syntax_cmd = "reset" + runtime! syntax/syncolor.vim + +Note that this uses the 'runtimepath' option. + + *syncolor* +If you want to use different colors for syntax highlighting, you can add a Vim +script file to set these colors. Put this file in a directory in +'runtimepath' which comes after $VIMRUNTIME, so that your settings overrule +the default colors. This way these colors will be used after the ":syntax +reset" command. + +For Unix you can use the file ~/.vim/after/syntax/syncolor.vim. Example: > + + if &background == "light" + highlight comment ctermfg=darkgreen guifg=darkgreen + else + highlight comment ctermfg=green guifg=green + endif + +Note that when a color scheme is used, there might be some confusion whether +your defined colors are to be used or the colors from the scheme. This +depends on the color scheme file. See |:colorscheme|. + + *syntax_cmd* +The "syntax_cmd" variable is set to one of these values when the +syntax/syncolor.vim files are loaded: + "on" ":syntax on" command. Highlight colors are overruled but + links are kept + "enable" ":syntax enable" command. Only define colors for groups that + don't have highlighting yet. Use ":syntax default". + "reset" ":syntax reset" command or loading a color scheme. Define all + the colors. + "skip" Don't define colors. Used to skip the default settings when a + syncolor.vim file earlier in 'runtimepath' has already set + them. + +============================================================================== +15. Highlighting tags *tag-highlight* + +If you want to highlight all the tags in your file, you can use the following +mappings. + + <F11> -- Generate tags.vim file, and highlight tags. + <F12> -- Just highlight tags based on existing tags.vim file. +> + :map <F11> :sp tags<CR>:%s/^\([^ :]*:\)\=\([^ ]*\).*/syntax keyword Tag \2/<CR>:wq! tags.vim<CR>/^<CR><F12> + :map <F12> :so tags.vim<CR> + +WARNING: The longer the tags file, the slower this will be, and the more +memory Vim will consume. + +Only highlighting typedefs, unions and structs can be done too. For this you +must use Exuberant ctags (found at http://ctags.sf.net). + +Put these lines in your Makefile: + +# Make a highlight file for types. Requires Exuberant ctags and awk +types: types.vim +types.vim: *.[ch] + ctags -i=gstuS -o- *.[ch] |\ + awk 'BEGIN{printf("syntax keyword Type\t")}\ + {printf("%s ", $$1)}END{print ""}' > $@ + +And put these lines in your .vimrc: > + + " load the types.vim highlighting file, if it exists + autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.[ch] let fname = expand('<afile>:p:h') . '/types.vim' + autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.[ch] if filereadable(fname) + autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.[ch] exe 'so ' . fname + autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.[ch] endif + +============================================================================== +16. Color xterms *xterm-color* *color-xterm* + +Most color xterms have only eight colors. If you don't get colors with the +default setup, it should work with these lines in your .vimrc: > + :if &term =~ "xterm" + : if has("terminfo") + : set t_Co=8 + : set t_Sf=<Esc>[3%p1%dm + : set t_Sb=<Esc>[4%p1%dm + : else + : set t_Co=8 + : set t_Sf=<Esc>[3%dm + : set t_Sb=<Esc>[4%dm + : endif + :endif +< [<Esc> is a real escape, type CTRL-V <Esc>] + +You might want to change the first "if" to match the name of your terminal, +e.g. "dtterm" instead of "xterm". + +Note: Do these settings BEFORE doing ":syntax on". Otherwise the colors may +be wrong. + *xiterm* *rxvt* +The above settings have been mentioned to work for xiterm and rxvt too. +But for using 16 colors in an rxvt these should work with terminfo: > + :set t_AB=<Esc>[%?%p1%{8}%<%t25;%p1%{40}%+%e5;%p1%{32}%+%;%dm + :set t_AF=<Esc>[%?%p1%{8}%<%t22;%p1%{30}%+%e1;%p1%{22}%+%;%dm +< + *colortest.vim* +To test your color setup, a file has been included in the Vim distribution. +To use it, execute these commands: > + :e $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/colortest.vim + :so % + +Some versions of xterm (and other terminals, like the linux console) can +output lighter foreground colors, even though the number of colors is defined +at 8. Therefore Vim sets the "cterm=bold" attribute for light foreground +colors, when 't_Co' is 8. + + *xfree-xterm* +To get 16 colors or more, get the newest xterm version (which should be +included with Xfree86 3.3 and later). You can also find the latest version +at: > + http://invisible-island.net/xterm/xterm.html +Here is a good way to configure it. This uses 88 colors and enables the +termcap-query feature, which allows Vim to ask the xterm how many colors it +supports. > + ./configure --disable-bold-color --enable-88-color --enable-tcap-query +If you only get 8 colors, check the xterm compilation settings. +(Also see |UTF8-xterm| for using this xterm with UTF-8 character encoding). + +This xterm should work with these lines in your .vimrc (for 16 colors): > + :if has("terminfo") + : set t_Co=16 + : set t_AB=<Esc>[%?%p1%{8}%<%t%p1%{40}%+%e%p1%{92}%+%;%dm + : set t_AF=<Esc>[%?%p1%{8}%<%t%p1%{30}%+%e%p1%{82}%+%;%dm + :else + : set t_Co=16 + : set t_Sf=<Esc>[3%dm + : set t_Sb=<Esc>[4%dm + :endif +< [<Esc> is a real escape, type CTRL-V <Esc>] + +Without |+terminfo|, Vim will recognize these settings, and automatically +translate cterm colors of 8 and above to "<Esc>[9%dm" and "<Esc>[10%dm". +Colors above 16 are also translated automatically. + +For 256 colors this has been reported to work: > + + :set t_AB=<Esc>[48;5;%dm + :set t_AF=<Esc>[38;5;%dm + +Or just set the TERM environment variable to "xterm-color" or "xterm-16color" +and try if that works. + +You probably want to use these X resources (in your ~/.Xdefaults file): + XTerm*color0: #000000 + XTerm*color1: #c00000 + XTerm*color2: #008000 + XTerm*color3: #808000 + XTerm*color4: #0000c0 + XTerm*color5: #c000c0 + XTerm*color6: #008080 + XTerm*color7: #c0c0c0 + XTerm*color8: #808080 + XTerm*color9: #ff6060 + XTerm*color10: #00ff00 + XTerm*color11: #ffff00 + XTerm*color12: #8080ff + XTerm*color13: #ff40ff + XTerm*color14: #00ffff + XTerm*color15: #ffffff + Xterm*cursorColor: Black + +[Note: The cursorColor is required to work around a bug, which changes the +cursor color to the color of the last drawn text. This has been fixed by a +newer version of xterm, but not everybody is it using yet.] + +To get these right away, reload the .Xdefaults file to the X Option database +Manager (you only need to do this when you just changed the .Xdefaults file): > + xrdb -merge ~/.Xdefaults +< + *xterm-blink* *xterm-blinking-cursor* +To make the cursor blink in an xterm, see tools/blink.c. Or use Thomas +Dickey's xterm above patchlevel 107 (see above for where to get it), with +these resources: + XTerm*cursorBlink: on + XTerm*cursorOnTime: 400 + XTerm*cursorOffTime: 250 + XTerm*cursorColor: White + + *hpterm-color* +These settings work (more or less) for a hpterm, which only supports 8 +foreground colors: > + :if has("terminfo") + : set t_Co=8 + : set t_Sf=<Esc>[&v%p1%dS + : set t_Sb=<Esc>[&v7S + :else + : set t_Co=8 + : set t_Sf=<Esc>[&v%dS + : set t_Sb=<Esc>[&v7S + :endif +< [<Esc> is a real escape, type CTRL-V <Esc>] + + *Eterm* *enlightened-terminal* +These settings have been reported to work for the Enlightened terminal +emulator, or Eterm. They might work for all xterm-like terminals that use the +bold attribute to get bright colors. Add an ":if" like above when needed. > + :set t_Co=16 + :set t_AF=^[[%?%p1%{8}%<%t3%p1%d%e%p1%{22}%+%d;1%;m + :set t_AB=^[[%?%p1%{8}%<%t4%p1%d%e%p1%{32}%+%d;1%;m +< + *TTpro-telnet* +These settings should work for TTpro telnet. Tera Term Pro is a freeware / +open-source program for MS-Windows. > + set t_Co=16 + set t_AB=^[[%?%p1%{8}%<%t%p1%{40}%+%e%p1%{32}%+5;%;%dm + set t_AF=^[[%?%p1%{8}%<%t%p1%{30}%+%e%p1%{22}%+1;%;%dm +Also make sure TTpro's Setup / Window / Full Color is enabled, and make sure +that Setup / Font / Enable Bold is NOT enabled. +(info provided by John Love-Jensen <eljay@Adobe.COM>) + + vim:tw=78:sw=4:ts=8:ft=help:norl: |