# Vim documentation: editing

main help file

    *editing.txt*	For Vim version 9.2.  Last change: 2026 Feb 14

    		  VIM REFERENCE MANUAL	  by Bram Moolenaar

    Editing files						*edit-files*

    1.  Introduction		|edit-intro|
    2.  Editing a file		|edit-a-file|
    3.  The argument list		|argument-list|
    4.  Writing			|writing|
    5.  Writing and quitting	|write-quit|
    6.  Dialogs			|edit-dialogs|
    7.  The current directory	|current-directory|
    8.  Editing binary files	|edit-binary|
    9.  Encryption			|encryption|
    10. Timestamps			|timestamps|
    11. File Searching		|file-searching|

    ==============================================================================

    1. Introduction						*edit-intro*

    Editing a file with Vim means:

    1. reading the file into a buffer
    2. changing the buffer with editor commands
    3. writing the buffer into a file

    							*current-file*
    As long as you don't write the buffer, the original file remains unchanged.
    If you start editing a file (read a file into the buffer), the file name is
    remembered as the "current file name".  This is also known as the name of the
    current buffer.  It can be used with "%" on the command line |:_%|.

    							*alternate-file*
    If there already was a current file name, then that one becomes the alternate
    file name.  It can be used with "#" on the command line |:_#| and you can use
    the |CTRL-^| command to toggle between the current and the alternate file.
    However, the alternate file name is not changed when |:keepalt| is used.
    An alternate file name is remembered for each window.

    							*:keepa* *:keepalt*
    :keepa[lt] {cmd}	Execute {cmd} while keeping the current alternate file
    			name.  Note that commands invoked indirectly (e.g.,
    			with a function) may still set the alternate file
    			name.

    All file names are remembered in the buffer list.  When you enter a file name,
    for editing (e.g., with ":e filename") or writing (e.g., with ":w filename"),
    the file name is added to the list.  You can use the buffer list to remember
    which files you edited and to quickly switch from one file to another (e.g.,
    to copy text) with the |CTRL-^| command.  First type the number of the file
    and then hit CTRL-^.

    CTRL-G		or				*CTRL-G* *:f* *:fi* *:file*
    :f[ile]			Prints the current file name (as typed, unless ":cd"
    			was used), the cursor position (unless the 'ruler'
    			option is set), and the file status (readonly,
    			modified, read errors, new file).  See the 'shortmess'
    			option about how to make this message shorter.

    :f[ile]!		like |:file|, but don't truncate the name even when
    			'shortmess' indicates this.

    {count}CTRL-G		Like CTRL-G, but prints the current file name with
    			full path.  If the count is higher than 1 the current
    			buffer number is also given.

    					*g_CTRL-G* *word-count* *byte-count*
    g CTRL-G		Prints the current position of the cursor in five
    			ways: Column, Line, Word, Character and Byte.  If the
    			number of Characters and Bytes is the same then the
    			Character position is omitted.

    			If there are characters in the line that take more
    			than one position on the screen (<Tab> or special
    			character), or characters using more than one byte per
    			column (characters above 0x7F when 'encoding' is
    			utf-8), both the byte column and the screen column are
    			shown, separated by a dash.

    			Also see the 'ruler' option and the |wordcount()|
    			function.

    							*v_g_CTRL-G*
    {Visual}g CTRL-G	Similar to "g CTRL-G", but Word, Character, Line, and
    			Byte counts for the visually selected region are
    			displayed.
    			In Blockwise mode, Column count is also shown.  (For
    			{Visual} see |Visual-mode|.)

    							*:file_f*
    :f[ile][!] {name}	Sets the current file name to {name}.  The optional !
    			avoids truncating the message, as with |:file|.
    			If the buffer did have a name, that name becomes the
    			|alternate-file| name.  An unlisted buffer is created
    			to hold the old name.

    							*:0file*
    :0f[ile][!]		Remove the name of the current buffer.  The optional !
    			avoids truncating the message, as with |:file|.

    :buffers
    :files
    :ls			List all the currently known file names.  See
    			|windows.txt| |:files| |:buffers| |:ls|.

    Vim will remember the full path name of a file name that you enter.  In most
    cases when the file name is displayed only the name you typed is shown, but
    the full path name is being used if you used the ":cd" command |:cd|.

    							*home-replace*
    If the environment variable $HOME is set, and the file name starts with that
    string, it is often displayed with HOME replaced with "~".  This was done to
    keep file names short.  When reading or writing files the full name is still
    used, the "~" is only used when displaying file names.  When replacing the
    file name would result in just "~", "~/" is used instead (to avoid confusion
    between options set to $HOME with 'backupext' set to "~").

    When writing the buffer, the default is to use the current file name.  Thus
    when you give the "ZZ" or ":wq" command, the original file will be
    overwritten.  If you do not want this, the buffer can be written into another
    file by giving a file name argument to the ":write" command.  For example:

    	vim testfile
    	[change the buffer with editor commands]
    	:w newfile
    	:q

    This will create a file "newfile", that is a modified copy of "testfile".
    The file "testfile" will remain unchanged.  Anyway, if the 'backup' option is
    set, Vim renames or copies the original file before it will be overwritten.
    You can use this file if you discover that you need the original file.  See
    also the 'patchmode' option.  The name of the backup file is normally the same
    as the original file with 'backupext' appended.  The default "~" is a bit
    strange to avoid accidentally overwriting existing files.  If you prefer
    ".bak" change the 'backupext' option.  Extra dots are replaced with '_' on
    MS-Windows machines, when Vim has detected that an MS-DOS-like filesystem is
    being used, or when the 'shortname' option is on.
    The backup file can be placed in another directory by setting 'backupdir'.

    							*auto-shortname*
    Technical: On the Amiga you can use 30 characters for a file name.  But on an
    	   MS-DOS-compatible filesystem only 8 plus 3 characters are
    	   available.  Vim tries to detect the type of filesystem when it is
    	   creating the .swp file.  If an MS-DOS-like filesystem is suspected,
    	   a flag is set that has the same effect as setting the 'shortname'
    	   option.  This flag will be reset as soon as you start editing a
    	   new file.  The flag will be used when making the file name for the
    	   ".swp" and ".~" files for the current file.  But when you are
    	   editing a file in a normal filesystem and write to an MS-DOS-like
    	   filesystem the flag will not have been set.  In that case the
    	   creation of the ".~" file may fail and you will get an error
    	   message.  Use the 'shortname' option in this case.

    When you started editing without giving a file name, "No File" is displayed in
    messages.  If the ":write" command is used with a file name argument, the file
    name for the current file is set to that file name.  This only happens when
    the 'F' flag is included in 'cpoptions' (by default it is included) |cpo-F|.
    This is useful when entering text in an empty buffer and then writing it to a
    file.  If 'cpoptions' contains the 'f' flag (by default it is NOT included)
    |cpo-f| the file name is set for the ":read file" command.  This is useful
    when starting Vim without an argument and then doing ":read file" to start
    editing a file.
    When the file name was set and 'filetype' is empty the filetype detection
    autocommands will be triggered.

    							*not-edited*
    Because the file name was set without really starting to edit that file, you
    are protected from overwriting that file.  This is done by setting the
    "notedited" flag.  You can see if this flag is set with the CTRL-G or ":file"
    command.  It will include "[Not edited]" when the "notedited" flag is set.
    When writing the buffer to the current file name (with ":w!"), the "notedited"
    flag is reset.

    							*abandon*
    Vim remembers whether you have changed the buffer.  You are protected from
    losing the changes you made.  If you try to quit without writing, or want to
    start editing another file, Vim will refuse this.  In order to overrule this
    protection, add a '!' to the command.  The changes will then be lost.  For
    example: ":q" will not work if the buffer was changed, but ":q!" will.  To see
    whether the buffer was changed use the "CTRL-G" command.  The message includes
    the string "[Modified]" if the buffer has been changed, or "+" if the 'm' flag
    is in 'shortmess'.

    If you want to automatically save the changes without asking, switch on the
    'autowriteall' option.  'autowrite' is the associated Vi-compatible option
    that does not work for all commands.

    If you want to keep the changed buffer without saving it, switch on the
    'hidden' option.  See |hidden-buffer|.  Some commands work like this even when
    'hidden' is not set, check the help for the command.

    ==============================================================================

    2. Editing a file					*edit-a-file*

    							*:e* *:edit* *reload*
    :e[dit] [++opt] [+cmd]	Edit the current file.  This is useful to re-edit the
    			current file, when it has been changed outside of Vim.
    			This fails when changes have been made to the current
    			buffer and 'autowriteall' isn't set or the file can't
    			be written.
    			Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    							*:edit!* *discard*
    :e[dit]! [++opt] [+cmd]
    			Edit the current file always.  Discard any changes to
    			the current buffer.  This is useful if you want to
    			start all over again.
    			Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    							*:edit_f*
    :e[dit] [++opt] [+cmd] {file}
    			Edit {file}.
    			This fails when changes have been made to the current
    			buffer, unless 'hidden' is set or 'autowriteall' is
    			set and the file can be written.
    			Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    							*:edit!_f*
    :e[dit]! [++opt] [+cmd] {file}
    			Edit {file} always.  Discard any changes to the
    			current buffer.
    			Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    							*:edit_#* *:e#*
    :e[dit] [++opt] [+cmd] #[count]
    			Edit the [count]th buffer (as shown by |:files|).
    			This command does the same as [count] CTRL-^.  But ":e
    			#" doesn't work if the alternate buffer doesn't have a
    			file name, while CTRL-^ still works then.
    			Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    							*:ene* *:enew*
    :ene[w]			Edit a new, unnamed buffer.  This fails when changes
    			have been made to the current buffer, unless 'hidden'
    			is set or 'autowriteall' is set and the file can be
    			written.
    			If 'fileformats' is not empty, the first format given
    			will be used for the new buffer.  If 'fileformats' is
    			empty, the 'fileformat' of the current buffer is used.

    							*:ene!* *:enew!*
    :ene[w]!		Edit a new, unnamed buffer.  Discard any changes to
    			the current buffer.
    			Set 'fileformat' like |:enew|.

    							*:fin* *:find*
    :fin[d][!] [++opt] [+cmd] {file}
    			Find {file} in 'path' and then |:edit| it.
    			See also: 'findfunc'.

    :{count}fin[d][!] [++opt] [+cmd] {file}
    			Just like ":find", but use the {count} match in
    			'path'.  Thus ":2find file" will find the second
    			"file" found in 'path'.  When there are fewer matches
    			for the file in 'path' than asked for, you get an
    			error message.

    							*:ex*
    :ex [++opt] [+cmd] [file]
    			Same as |:edit|.

    							*:vi* *:visual*
    :vi[sual][!] [++opt] [+cmd] [file]
    			When used in Ex mode: Leave |Ex-mode|, go back to
    			Normal mode.  Otherwise same as |:edit|.

    							*:vie* *:view*
    :vie[w][!] [++opt] [+cmd] file
    			When used in Ex mode: Leave |Ex-mode|, go back to
    			Normal mode.  Otherwise same as |:edit|, but set
    			'readonly' option for this buffer.

    							*CTRL-^* *CTRL-6*
    CTRL-^			Edit the alternate file.  Mostly the alternate file is
    			the previously edited file.  This is a quick way to
    			toggle between two files.  It is equivalent to ":e #",
    			except that it also works when there is no file name.

    			If the 'autowrite' or 'autowriteall' option is on and
    			the buffer was changed, write it.
    			Mostly the ^ character is positioned on the 6 key,
    			pressing CTRL and 6 then gets you what we call CTRL-^.
    			But on some non-US keyboards CTRL-^ is produced in
    			another way.

    {count}CTRL-^		Edit [count]th file in the buffer list (equivalent to
    			":e #[count]").  This is a quick way to switch between
    			files.
    			See |CTRL-^| above for further details.

    [count]]f						*]f* *[f*
    [count][f		Same as "gf".  Deprecated.

    							*gf* *E446* *E447*
    [count]gf		Edit the file whose name is under or after the cursor.
    			Mnemonic: "goto file".
    			Uses the 'isfname' option to find out which characters
    			are supposed to be in a file name.  Trailing
    			punctuation characters ".,:;!" are ignored.  Escaped
    			spaces "\ " are reduced to a single space.
    			Uses the 'path' option as a list of directory names to
    			look for the file.  See the 'path' option for details
    			about relative directories and wildcards.
    			Uses the 'suffixesadd' option to check for file names
    			with a suffix added.
    			If the file can't be found, 'includeexpr' is used to
    			modify the name and another attempt is done.
    			If a [count] is given, the count'th file that is found
    			in the 'path' is edited.
    			This command fails if Vim refuses to |abandon| the
    			current file.
    			If you want to edit the file in a new window use
    			|CTRL-W_CTRL-F|.
    			If you do want to edit a new file, use:
    				:e <cfile>
     			To make gf always work like that:
    				:map gf :e <cfile><CR>
     			If the name is a hypertext link, that looks like
    			"type://machine/path", you need the |netrw| plugin.
    			For Unix the '~' character is expanded, like in
    			"~user/file".  Environment variables are expanded too
    			|expand-env|.

    							*v_gf*
    {Visual}[count]gf	Same as "gf", but the highlighted text is used as the
    			name of the file to edit.  'isfname' is ignored.
    			Leading blanks are skipped, otherwise all blanks and
    			special characters are included in the file name.
    			(For {Visual} see |Visual-mode|.)

    							*gF*
    [count]gF		Same as "gf", except if a number follows the file
    			name, then the cursor is positioned on that line in
    			the file.
    			The file name and the number must be separated by a
    			non-filename (see 'isfname') and non-numeric
    			character.  " line " is also recognized, like it is
    			used in the output of `:verbose command UserCmd`
    			White space between the filename, the separator and
    			the number are ignored.
    			Examples:
    				eval.c:10
    				eval.c @ 20
    				eval.c (30)
    				eval.c 40

    							*v_gF*
    {Visual}[count]gF	Same as "v_gf".

    These commands are used to start editing a single file.  This means that the
    file is read into the buffer and the current file name is set.  The file that
    is opened depends on the current directory, see |:cd|.

    See |read-messages| for an explanation of the message that is given after the
    file has been read.

    You can use the ":e!" command if you messed up the buffer and want to start
    all over again.  The ":e" command is only useful if you have changed the
    current file name.

    							*:filename* *{file}*
    Besides the things mentioned here, more special items for where a filename is
    expected are mentioned at |cmdline-special|.

    Note for systems other than Unix: When using a command that accepts a single
    file name (like ":edit file") spaces in the file name are allowed, but
    trailing spaces are ignored.  This is useful on systems that regularly embed
    spaces in file names (like MS-Windows and the Amiga).  Example: The command
    ":e   Long File Name " will edit the file "Long File Name".  When using a
    command that accepts more than one file name (like ":next file1 file2")
    embedded spaces must be escaped with a backslash.

    						*wildcard* *wildcards*
    Wildcards in {file} are expanded, but as with file completion, 'wildignore'
    and 'suffixes' apply.  Which wildcards are supported depends on the system.
    These are the common ones:
    	?	matches one character
    	*	matches anything, including nothing

    	**	matches anything, including nothing, recurses into directories
    	[abc]	match 'a', 'b' or 'c'

    To avoid the special meaning of the wildcards prepend a backslash.  However,
    on MS-Windows the backslash is a path separator and "path\[abc]" is still seen
    as a wildcard when "[" is in the 'isfname' option.  A simple way to avoid this
    is to use "path\[[]abc]", this matches the file "path\[abc]".

    					*starstar-wildcard*
    Expanding "**" is possible on Unix, Win32, macOS and a few other systems (but
    it may depend on your 'shell' setting on Unix and macOS.  It's known to work
    correctly for zsh; for bash this requires at least bash version >= 4.X).
    This allows searching a directory tree.  This goes up to 100 directories deep.
    Note there are some commands where this works slightly differently, see
    |file-searching|.
    Example:
    	:n **/*.txt
    Finds files:
    	aaa.txt
    	subdir/bbb.txt
    	a/b/c/d/ccc.txt
    When non-wildcard characters are used right before or after "**" these are
    only matched in the top directory.  They are not used for directories further
    down in the tree.  For example:
    	:n /usr/inc**/types.h
    Finds files:
    	/usr/include/types.h
    	/usr/include/sys/types.h
    	/usr/inc/old/types.h
    Note that the path with "/sys" is included because it does not need to match
    "/inc".  Thus it's like matching "/usr/inc*/*/*...", not
    "/usr/inc*/inc*/inc*".

    					*backtick-expansion* *`-expansion*
    On Unix and a few other systems you can also use backticks for the file name
    argument, for example:
    	:next `find . -name ver\\*.c -print`
    	:view `ls -t *.patch  \| head -n1`
    Vim will run the command in backticks using the 'shell' and use the standard
    output as argument for the given Vim command (error messages from the shell
    command will be discarded).
    To see what shell command Vim is running, set the 'verbose' option to 4.  When
    the shell command returns a non-zero exit code, an error message will be
    displayed and the Vim command will be aborted.  To avoid this make the shell
    always return zero like so:
           :next `find . -name ver\\*.c -print \|\| true`

    The backslashes before the star are required to prevent the shell from
    expanding "ver*.c" prior to execution of the find program.  The backslash
    before the shell pipe symbol "|" prevents Vim from parsing it as command
    termination.
    This also works for most other systems, with the restriction that the
    backticks must be around the whole item.  It is not possible to have text
    directly before the first or just after the last backtick.

    						*`=* *E1083*
    You can have the backticks expanded as a Vim expression, instead of as an
    external command, by putting an equal sign right after the first backtick,
    e.g.:
    	:e `=tempname()`
    The expression can contain just about anything, thus this can also be used to
    avoid the special meaning of '"'', '|', '%' and '#'.  However, 'wildignore'
    does apply like to other wildcards.

    Environment variables in the expression are expanded when evaluating the
    expression, thus this works:
    	:e `=$HOME .. '/.vimrc'`
    This uses $HOME inside a string and it will be used literally, most likely not
    what you intended:
    	:e `='$HOME' .. '/.vimrc'`

    If the expression returns a string then names are to be separated with line
    breaks.  When the result is a |List| then each item is used as a name.  Line
    breaks also separate names.
    Note that such expressions are only supported in places where a filename is
    expected as an argument to an Ex-command.

    							*++opt* *[++opt]*
    The [++opt] argument can be used to force the value of 'fileformat',
    'fileencoding' or 'binary' to a value for one command, and to specify the
    behavior for bad characters.  The form is:
    	++{optname}
    Or:
    	++{optname}={value}

    Where {optname} is one of:	    *++ff* *++enc* *++bin* *++nobin* *++edit*
        ff     or  fileformat   overrides 'fileformat'
        enc    or  encoding	    overrides 'fileencoding'
        bin    or  binary	    sets 'binary'
        nobin  or  nobinary	    resets 'binary'
        bad			    specifies behavior for bad characters
        edit		    for |:read| only: keep option values as if editing
    			    a file

    {value} cannot contain white space.  It can be any valid value for these
    options.  Examples:
    	:e ++ff=unix
    This edits the same file again with 'fileformat' set to "unix".

    	:w ++enc=latin1 newfile
    This writes the current buffer to "newfile" in latin1 format.

    The message given when writing a file will show "[converted]" when
    'fileencoding' or the value specified with ++enc differs from 'encoding'.

    There may be several ++opt arguments, separated by white space.  They must all
    appear before any |+cmd| argument.

    								*++bad*
    The argument of "++bad=" specifies what happens with characters that can't be
    converted and illegal bytes.  It can be one of three things:
        ++bad=X      A single-byte character that replaces each bad character.
        ++bad=keep   Keep bad characters without conversion.  Note that this may
    		 result in illegal bytes in your text!
        ++bad=drop   Remove the bad characters.

    The default is like "++bad=?": Replace each bad character with a question
    mark.  In some places an inverted question mark is used (0xBF).

    Note that not all commands use the ++bad argument, even though they do not
    give an error when you add it.  E.g. |:write|.

    Note that when reading, the 'fileformat' and 'fileencoding' options will be
    set to the used format.  When writing this doesn't happen, thus a next write
    will use the old value of the option.  Same for the 'binary' option.

    							*+cmd* *[+cmd]*
    The [+cmd] argument can be used to position the cursor in the newly opened
    file, or execute any other command:
    	+		Start at the last line.
    	+{num}		Start at line {num}.
    	+/{pat}		Start at first line containing {pat}.
    	+{command}	Execute {command} after opening the new file.
    			{command} is any Ex command.
    To include a white space in the {pat} or {command}, precede it with a
    backslash.  Double the number of backslashes.
    	:edit  +/The\ book	     file
    	:edit  +/dir\ dirname\\      file
    	:edit  +set\ dir=c:\\\\temp  file
    Note that in the last example the number of backslashes is halved twice: Once
    for the "+cmd" argument and once for the ":set" command.

    							*file-formats*
    The 'fileformat' option sets the <EOL> style for a file:
    'fileformat'    characters	   name

      "dos"		<CR><NL> or <NL>   DOS format		*DOS-format*

      "unix"	<NL>		   Unix format		*Unix-format*

      "mac"		<CR>		   Mac format		*Mac-format*
    Previously 'textmode' was used.  It is obsolete now.

    When reading a file, the mentioned characters are interpreted as the <EOL>.
    In DOS format (default for Win32), <CR><NL> and <NL> are both interpreted as
    the <EOL>.  Note that when writing the file in DOS format, <CR> characters
    will be added for each single <NL>.  Also see |file-read|.

    When writing a file, the mentioned characters are used for <EOL>.  For DOS
    format <CR><NL> is used.  Also see |DOS-format-write|.

    You can read a file in DOS format and write it in Unix format.  This will
    replace all <CR><NL> pairs by <NL> (assuming 'fileformats' includes "dos"):
    	:e file
    	:set fileformat=unix
    	:w
    If you read a file in Unix format and write with DOS format, all <NL>
    characters will be replaced with <CR><NL> (assuming 'fileformats' includes
    "unix"):
    	:e file
    	:set fileformat=dos
    	:w

    If you start editing a new file and the 'fileformats' option is not empty
    (which is the default), Vim will try to detect whether the lines in the file
    are separated by the specified formats.  When set to "unix,dos", Vim will
    check for lines with a single <NL> (as used on Unix and Amiga) or by a <CR>
    <NL> pair (MS-Windows).  Only when ALL lines end in <CR><NL>, 'fileformat' is
    set to "dos", otherwise it is set to "unix".  When 'fileformats' includes
    "mac", and no <NL> characters are found in the file, 'fileformat' is set to
    "mac".

    If the 'fileformat' option is set to "dos" on non-MS-Windows systems the
    message "[dos format]" is shown to remind you that something unusual is
    happening.  On MS-Windows systems you get the message "[unix format]" if
    'fileformat' is set to "unix".  On all systems but the Macintosh you get the
    message "[mac format]" if 'fileformat' is set to "mac".

    If the 'fileformats' option is empty and DOS format is used, but while reading
    a file some lines did not end in <CR><NL>, "[CR missing]" will be included in
    the file message.
    If the 'fileformats' option is empty and Mac format is used, but while reading
    a file a <NL> was found, "[NL missing]" will be included in the file message.

    If the new file does not exist, the 'fileformat' of the current buffer is used
    when 'fileformats' is empty.  Otherwise the first format from 'fileformats' is
    used for the new file.

    Before editing binary, executable or Vim script files you should set the
    'binary' option.  A simple way to do this is by starting Vim with the "-b"
    option.  This will avoid the use of 'fileformat'.  Without this you risk that
    single <NL> characters are unexpectedly replaced with <CR><NL>.

    You can encrypt files that are written by setting the 'key' option.  This
    provides some security against others reading your files. |encryption|

    END OF LINE AND END OF FILE				*eol-and-eof*

    Vim has several options to control the file format:
    	'fileformat'	the <EOL> style: Unix, DOS, Mac
    	'endofline'	whether the last line ends with a <EOL>
    	'endoffile'	whether the file ends with a CTRL-Z
    	'fixendofline'	whether to fix eol and eof

    The first three values are normally detected automatically when reading the
    file and are used when writing the text to a file.  While editing the buffer
    it looks like every line has a line ending and the CTRL-Z isn't there (an
    exception is when 'binary' is set, it works differently then).

    The 'fixendofline' option can be used to choose what to write.  You can also
    change the option values to write the file differently than how it was read.

    Here are some examples how to use them.

    If you want files in Unix format (every line NL terminated):
    	setl ff=unix fixeol
    You should probably do this on any Unix-like system.  Also modern MS-Windows
    systems tend to work well with this.  It is recommended to always use this
    format for Vim scripts.

    If you want to use an old MS-DOS file in a modern environment, fixing line
    endings and dropping CTRL-Z, but keeping the <CR><NL> style <EOL>:
    	setl ff=dos fixeol
    This is useful for many MS-Windows programs, they regularly expect the
    <CR><NL> line endings.

    If you want to drop the final <EOL> and add a final CTRL-Z (e.g. for an old
    system like CP/M):
    	setl ff=dos nofixeol noeol eof

    If you want to preserve the fileformat exactly as-is, including any final
    <EOL> and final CTRL-Z:
    	setl nofixeol

    ==============================================================================

    3. The argument list				*argument-list* *arglist*

    If you give more than one file name when starting Vim, this list is remembered
    as the argument list.  You can jump to each file in this list.

    Do not confuse this with the buffer list, which you can see with the
    |:buffers| command.  The argument list was already present in Vi, the buffer
    list is new in Vim.  Every file name in the argument list will also be present
    in the buffer list (unless it was deleted with |:bdel| or |:bwipe|).  But it's
    common that names in the buffer list are not in the argument list.

    This subject is introduced in section |07.2| of the user manual.

    There is one global argument list, which is used for all windows by default.
    It is possible to create a new argument list local to a window, see
    |:arglocal|.

    You can use the argument list with the following commands, and with the
    expression functions |argc()| and |argv()|.  These all work on the argument
    list of the current window.

    							*:ar* *:arg* *:args*
    :ar[gs]			Print the argument list, with the current file in
    			square brackets.

    :ar[gs] [++opt] [+cmd] {arglist}			*:args_f*
    			Define {arglist} as the new argument list and edit
    			the first one.  This fails when changes have been made
    			and Vim does not want to |abandon| the current buffer.
    			Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    :ar[gs]! [++opt] [+cmd] {arglist}			*:args_f!*
    			Define {arglist} as the new argument list and edit
    			the first one.  Discard any changes to the current
    			buffer.
    			Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    :[count]arge[dit][!] [++opt] [+cmd] {name} ...		*:arge* *:argedit*
    			Add {name}s to the argument list and edit it.
    			There is no check for duplicates, it is possible to
    			add a file to the argument list twice |:argded|.
    			This is like using |:argadd| and then |:edit| (with
    			the small exception that |:edit| does not change the
    			argument list, so the argument list pointer isn't
    			changed).
    			Spaces in filenames have to be escaped with "\".
    			[count] is used like with |:argadd|.
    			If the current file cannot be |abandon|ed {name}s will
    			still be added to the argument list, but won't be
    			edited.  No check for duplicates is done.
    			Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    :[count]arga[dd] {name} ...			*:arga* *:argadd* *E479*

    :[count]arga[dd]						*E1156*
    			Add the {name}s to the argument list.  When {name} is
    			omitted add the current buffer name to the argument
    			list.
    			If [count] is omitted, the {name}s are added just
    			after the current entry in the argument list.
    			Otherwise they are added after the [count]'th file.
    			If the argument list is "a b c", and "b" is the
    			current argument, then these commands result in:
    				command		new argument list
    				:argadd x	a  [b]  x  c
    				:0argadd x	x   a  [b] c
    				:1argadd x	a   x  [b] c
    				:$argadd x	a  [b]  c  x
    			And after the last one:
    				:+2argadd y	a  [b]  c  x  y
    			There is no check for duplicates, it is possible to
    			add a file to the argument list twice.  You can use
    			|:argdedupe| to fix it afterwards:
    				:argadd *.txt | argdedupe
     			The currently edited file is not changed.
    			Note: you can also use this method:
    				:args ## x
     			This will add the "x" item and sort the new list.

    :argded[upe]					*:argded* *:argdedupe*
    			Remove duplicate filenames from the argument list.
    			If your current file is a duplicate, your current file
    			will change to the original file index.

    :argd[elete] {pattern} ...		*:argd* *:argdelete* *E480* *E610*
    			Delete files from the argument list that match the
    			{pattern}s.  {pattern} is used like a file pattern,
    			see |file-pattern|.  "%" can be used to delete the
    			current entry.
    			This command keeps the currently edited file, also
    			when it's deleted from the argument list.
    			Example:
    				:argdel *.obj

    :[range]argd[elete]	Delete the [range] files from the argument list.
    			Example:
    				:10,$argdel
     			Deletes arguments 10 and further, keeping 1-9.
    				:$argd
     			Deletes just the last one.
    				:argd
    				:.argd
     			Deletes the current argument.
    				:%argd
     			Removes all the files from the arglist.
    			When the last number in the range is too high, up to
    			the last argument is deleted.

    							*:argu* *:argument*
    :[count]argu[ment] [count] [++opt] [+cmd]
    			Edit file [count] in the argument list.  When [count]
    			is omitted the current entry is used.  This fails
    			when changes have been made and Vim does not want to
    			|abandon| the current buffer.
    			Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    :[count]argu[ment]! [count] [++opt] [+cmd]
    			Edit file [count] in the argument list, discard any
    			changes to the current buffer.  When [count] is
    			omitted the current entry is used.
    			Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    :[count]n[ext] [++opt] [+cmd]			*:n* *:ne* *:next* *E165* *E163*
    			Edit [count] next file.  This fails when changes have
    			been made and Vim does not want to |abandon| the
    			current buffer.  Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    :[count]n[ext]! [++opt] [+cmd]
    			Edit [count] next file, discard any changes to the
    			buffer.  Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    :n[ext] [++opt] [+cmd] {arglist}			*:next_f*
    			Same as |:args_f|.

    :n[ext]! [++opt] [+cmd] {arglist}
    			Same as |:args_f!|.

    :[count]N[ext] [count] [++opt] [+cmd]			*:Next* *:N* *E164*
    			Edit [count] previous file in argument list.  This
    			fails when changes have been made and Vim does not
    			want to |abandon| the current buffer.
    			Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    :[count]N[ext]! [count] [++opt] [+cmd]
    			Edit [count] previous file in argument list.  Discard
    			any changes to the buffer.  Also see |++opt| and
    			|+cmd|.

    :[count]prev[ious] [count] [++opt] [+cmd]		*:prev* *:previous*
    			Same as :Next.  Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    							*:rew* *:rewind*
    :rew[ind] [++opt] [+cmd]
    			Start editing the first file in the argument list.
    			This fails when changes have been made and Vim does
    			not want to |abandon| the current buffer.
    			Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    :rew[ind]! [++opt] [+cmd]
    			Start editing the first file in the argument list.
    			Discard any changes to the buffer.  Also see |++opt|
    			and |+cmd|.

    							*:fir* *:first*
    :fir[st][!] [++opt] [+cmd]
    			Other name for ":rewind".

    							*:la* *:last*
    :la[st] [++opt] [+cmd]
    			Start editing the last file in the argument list.
    			This fails when changes have been made and Vim does
    			not want to |abandon| the current buffer.
    			Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    :la[st]! [++opt] [+cmd]
    			Start editing the last file in the argument list.
    			Discard any changes to the buffer.  Also see |++opt|
    			and |+cmd|.

    							*:wn* *:wnext*
    :[count]wn[ext] [++opt]
    			Write current file and start editing the [count]
    			next file.  Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    :[count]wn[ext] [++opt] {file}
    			Write current file to {file} and start editing the
    			[count] next file, unless {file} already exists and
    			the 'writeany' option is off.  Also see |++opt| and
    			|+cmd|.

    :[count]wn[ext]! [++opt] {file}
    			Write current file to {file} and start editing the
    			[count] next file.  Also see |++opt| and |+cmd|.

    :[count]wN[ext][!] [++opt] [file]		*:wN* *:wNext*

    :[count]wp[revious][!] [++opt] [file]		*:wp* *:wprevious*
    			Same as :wnext, but go to previous file instead of
    			next.

    The [count] in the commands above defaults to one.  For some commands it is
    possible to use two counts.  The last one (rightmost one) is used.

    If no [+cmd] argument is present, the cursor is positioned at the last known
    cursor position for the file.  If 'startofline' is set, the cursor will be
    positioned at the first non-blank in the line, otherwise the last know column
    is used.  If there is no last known cursor position the cursor will be in the
    first line (the last line in Ex mode).

    							*{arglist}*
    The wildcards in the argument list are expanded and the file names are sorted.
    Thus you can use the command "vim *.c" to edit all the C files.  From within
    Vim the command ":n *.c" does the same.

    White space is used to separate file names.  Put a backslash before a space or
    tab to include it in a file name.  E.g., to edit the single file "foo bar":
    	:next foo\ bar

    On Unix and a few other systems you can also use backticks, for example:
    	:next `find . -name \\*.c -print`
    The backslashes before the star are required to prevent "*.c" to be expanded
    by the shell before executing the find program.

    							*arglist-position*
    When there is an argument list you can see which file you are editing in the
    title of the window (if there is one and 'title' is on) and with the file
    message you get with the "CTRL-G" command.  You will see something like
    	(file 4 of 11)
    If 'shortmess' contains 'f' it will be
    	(4 of 11)
    If you are not really editing the file at the current position in the argument
    list it will be
    	(file (4) of 11)
    This means that you are position 4 in the argument list, but not editing the
    fourth file in the argument list.  This happens when you do ":e file".

    LOCAL ARGUMENT LIST

    							*:arglocal*
    :argl[ocal]		Make a local copy of the global argument list.
    			Doesn't start editing another file.

    :argl[ocal][!] [++opt] [+cmd] {arglist}
    			Define a new argument list, which is local to the
    			current window.  Works like |:args_f| otherwise.

    							*:argglobal*
    :argg[lobal]		Use the global argument list for the current window.
    			Doesn't start editing another file.

    :argg[lobal][!] [++opt] [+cmd] {arglist}
    			Use the global argument list for the current window.
    			Define a new global argument list like |:args_f|.
    			All windows using the global argument list will see
    			this new list.

    There can be several argument lists.  They can be shared between windows.
    When they are shared, changing the argument list in one window will also
    change it in the other window.

    When a window is split the new window inherits the argument list from the
    current window.  The two windows then share this list, until one of them uses
    |:arglocal| or |:argglobal| to use another argument list.

    USING THE ARGUMENT LIST

    						*:argdo*
    :[range]argdo[!] {cmd}	Execute {cmd} for each file in the argument list or
    			if [range] is specified only for arguments in that
    			range.  It works like doing this:
    				:rewind
    				:{cmd}
    				:next
    				:{cmd}
    				etc.
     			When the current file can't be |abandon|ed and the [!]
    			is not present, the command fails.
    			When an error is detected on one file, further files
    			in the argument list will not be visited.
    			The last file in the argument list (or where an error
    			occurred) becomes the current file.
    			{cmd} can contain '|' to concatenate several commands.
    			{cmd} must not change the argument list.
    			Note: While this command is executing, the Syntax
    			autocommand event is disabled by adding it to
    			'eventignore'.  This considerably speeds up editing
    			each file.
    			Also see |:windo|, |:tabdo|, |:bufdo|, |:cdo|, |:ldo|,
    			|:cfdo| and |:lfdo|

    Example:
    	:args *.c
    	:argdo set ff=unix | update
    This sets the 'fileformat' option to "unix" and writes the file if it is now
    changed.  This is done for all *.c files.

    Example:
    	:args *.[ch]
    	:argdo %s/\<my_foo\>/My_Foo/ge | update
    This changes the word "my_foo" to "My_Foo" in all *.c and *.h files.  The "e"
    flag is used for the ":substitute" command to avoid an error for files where
    "my_foo" isn't used.  ":update" writes the file only if changes were made.

    ==============================================================================

    4. Writing					*writing* *save-file*

    Note: When the 'write' option is off, you are not able to write any file.

    							*:w* *:write*

    					*E502* *E503* *E504* *E505*

    					*E512* *E514* *E667* *E949*
    :w[rite] [++opt]	Write the whole buffer to the current file.  This is
    			the normal way to save changes to a file.  It fails
    			when the 'readonly' option is set or when there is
    			another reason why the file can't be written.
    			For ++opt see |++opt|, but only ++bin, ++nobin, ++ff
    			and ++enc are effective.

    :w[rite]! [++opt]	Like ":write", but forcefully write when 'readonly' is
    			set or there is another reason why writing was
    			refused.
    			Note: This may change the permission and ownership of
    			the file and break (symbolic) links.  Add the 'W' flag
    			to 'cpoptions' to avoid this.

    :[range]w[rite][!] [++opt]
    			Write the specified lines to the current file.  This
    			is unusual, because the file will not contain all
    			lines in the buffer.

    							*:w_f* *:write_f*
    :[range]w[rite] [++opt]	{file}
    			Write the specified lines to {file}, unless it
    			already exists and the 'writeany' option is off.

    							*:w!*
    :[range]w[rite]! [++opt] {file}
    			Write the specified lines to {file}.  Overwrite an
    			existing file.

    						*:w_a* *:write_a* *E494*
    :[range]w[rite][!] [++opt] >>
    			Append the specified lines to the current file.

    :[range]w[rite][!] [++opt] >> {file}
    			Append the specified lines to {file}.  '!' forces the
    			write even if file does not exist.

    							*:w_c* *:write_c*
    :[range]w[rite] [++opt] !{cmd}
    			Execute {cmd} with [range] lines as standard input
    			(note the space in front of the '!').  {cmd} is
    			executed like with ":!{cmd}", any '!' is replaced with
    			the previous command |:!|.

    The default [range] for the ":w" command is the whole buffer (1,$).  The |'[|
    and |']| marks will be set to the [range] being used for the write command.
    If you write the whole buffer, it is no longer considered changed.  When you
    write it to a different file with ":w somefile" it depends on the "+" flag in
    'cpoptions'.  When included, the write command will reset the 'modified' flag,
    even though the buffer itself may still be different from its file.

    If a file name is given with ":w" it becomes the alternate file.  This can be
    used, for example, when the write fails and you want to try again later with
    ":w #".  This can be switched off by removing the 'A' flag from the
    'cpoptions' option.

    Note that the 'fsync' option matters here.  If it's set it may make writes
    slower (but safer).

    							*:sav* *:saveas*
    :sav[eas][!] [++opt] {file}
    			Save the current buffer under the name {file} and set
    			the filename of the current buffer to {file}.  The
    			previous name is used for the alternate file name.
    			The [!] is needed to overwrite an existing file.
    			When 'filetype' is empty filetype detection is done
    			with the new name, before the file is written.
    			When the write was successful 'readonly' is reset.

    							*:up* *:update*
    :[range]up[date][!] [++opt] [>>] [file]
    			Like ":write", but only write when the buffer has been
    			modified.

    WRITING WITH MULTIPLE BUFFERS				*buffer-write*

    							*:wa* *:wall*
    :wa[ll]			Write all changed buffers.  Buffers without a file
    			name cause an error message.  Buffers which are
    			readonly are not written.

    :wa[ll]!		Write all changed buffers, even the ones that are
    			readonly.  Buffers without a file name are not
    			written and cause an error message.

    Vim will warn you if you try to overwrite a file that has been changed
    elsewhere.  See |timestamp|.

    			    *backup* *E207* *E506* *E507* *E508* *E509* *E510*
    If you write to an existing file (but do not append) while the 'backup',
    'writebackup' or 'patchmode' option is on, a backup of the original file is
    made.  The file is either copied or renamed (see 'backupcopy').  After the
    file has been successfully written and when the 'writebackup' option is on and
    the 'backup' option is off, the backup file is deleted.  When the 'patchmode'
    option is on the backup file may be renamed.

    							*backup-table*
    'backup' 'writebackup'	action
       off	     off	no backup made
       off	     on		backup current file, deleted afterwards (default)
       on	     off	delete old backup, backup current file
       on	     on		delete old backup, backup current file

    When the 'backupskip' pattern matches with the name of the file which is
    written, no backup file is made.  The values of 'backup' and 'writebackup' are
    ignored then.

    When the 'backup' option is on, an old backup file (with the same name as the
    new backup file) will be deleted.  If 'backup' is not set, but 'writebackup'
    is set, an existing backup file will not be deleted.  The backup file that is
    made while the file is being written will have a different name.

    On some filesystems it's possible that in a crash you lose both the backup and
    the newly written file (it might be there but contain bogus data).  In that
    case try recovery, because the swap file is synced to disk and might still be
    there. |:recover|

    The directories given with the 'backupdir' option are used to put the backup
    file in.  (default: same directory as the written file).

    Whether the backup is a new file, which is a copy of the original file, or the
    original file renamed depends on the 'backupcopy' option.  See there for an
    explanation of when the copy is made and when the file is renamed.

    If the creation of a backup file fails, the write is not done.  If you want
    to write anyway add a '!' to the command.

    							*file-watcher*
    When you notice issues with programs, that act upon when a buffer is written
    (like inotify, entr or fswatch) or when external applications execute Vim to
    edit the file (like git) and those programs do not seem to notice that the
    original file has been changed, you may want to consider switching the
    'backupcopy' option value to "yes".  This makes sure, Vim writes to the same
    file, that those watcher programs expect, without creating a new file (which
    prevents them from detecting that the file has changed).  See also |crontab|

    							*write-permissions*
    When writing a new file the permissions are read-write.  For unix the mask is
    0o666 with additionally umask applied.  When writing a file that was read Vim
    will preserve the permissions, but clear the s-bit.

    							*write-readonly*
    When the 'cpoptions' option contains 'W', Vim will refuse to overwrite a
    readonly file.  When 'W' is not present, ":w!" will overwrite a readonly file,
    if the system allows it (the directory must be writable).

    							*write-fail*
    If the writing of the new file fails, you have to be careful not to lose
    your changes AND the original file.  If there is no backup file and writing
    the new file failed, you have already lost the original file!  DON'T EXIT VIM
    UNTIL YOU WRITE OUT THE FILE!  If a backup was made, it is put back in place
    of the original file (if possible).  If you exit Vim, and lose the changes
    you made, the original file will mostly still be there.  If putting back the
    original file fails, there will be an error message telling you that you
    lost the original file.

    						*DOS-format-write*
    If the 'fileformat' is "dos", <CR><NL> is used for <EOL>.  This is default
    for Win32.  On other systems the message "[dos format]" is shown to remind you
    that an unusual <EOL> was used.

    						*Unix-format-write*
    If the 'fileformat' is "unix", <NL> is used for <EOL>.  On Win32 the message
    "[unix format]" is shown.

    						*Mac-format-write*
    If the 'fileformat' is "mac", <CR> is used for <EOL>.  On non-Mac systems the
    message "[mac format]" is shown.

    See also |file-formats| and the 'fileformat' and 'fileformats' options.

    						*ACL*
    ACL stands for Access Control List.  It is an advanced way to control access
    rights for a file.  It is used on new MS-Windows and Unix systems, but only
    when the filesystem supports it.
       Vim attempts to preserve the ACL info when writing a file.  The backup file
    will get the ACL info of the original file.
       The ACL info is also used to check if a file is read-only (when opening the
    file).

    					*xattr* *E1506* *E1508* *E1509*
    xattr stands for Extended Attributes.  It is an advanced way to save metadata
    alongside the file in the filesystem.  It depends on the actual filesystem
    being used and Vim supports it only on a Linux system.
       Vim attempts to preserve the extended attribute info when writing a file.
    The backup file will get the extended attribute of the original file.

    						*read-only-share*
    When MS-Windows shares a drive on the network it can be marked as read-only.
    This means that even if the file read-only attribute is absent, and the ACL
    settings on NT network shared drives allow writing to the file, you can still
    not write to the file.  Vim on Win32 platforms will detect read-only network
    drives and will mark the file as read-only.  You will not be able to override
    it with |:write|.

    						*write-device*
    When the file name is actually a device name, Vim will not make a backup (that
    would be impossible).  You need to use "!", since the device already exists.
    Example for Unix:
    	:w! /dev/lpt0
    and for MS-Windows:
    	:w! lpt0
    For Unix a device is detected when the name doesn't refer to a normal file or
    a directory.  A fifo or named pipe also looks like a device to Vim.
    For MS-Windows the device is detected by its name:
    	AUX
    	CON
    	CLOCK$
    	NUL
    	PRN
    	COMn	n=1,2,3... etc
    	LPTn	n=1,2,3... etc
    The names can be in upper- or lowercase.

    ==============================================================================

    5. Writing and quitting					*write-quit*

    							*:q* *:quit*
    :q[uit]			Quit the current window.  Quit Vim if this is the last
    			|edit-window|.  This fails when changes have been made
    			and Vim refuses to |abandon| the current buffer, and
    			when the last file in the argument list has not been
    			edited.
    			If there are other tab pages and quitting the last
    			window in the current tab page the current tab page is
    			closed |tab-page|.
    			Triggers the |QuitPre| autocommand event.
    			See |CTRL-W_q| for quitting another window.

    :conf[irm] q[uit]	Quit, but give prompt when changes have been made, or
    			the last file in the argument list has not been
    			edited.  See |:confirm| and 'confirm'.

    :q[uit]!		Quit without writing, also when the current buffer has
    			changes.  The buffer is unloaded, also when it has
    			'hidden' set.
    			If this is the last window and there is a modified
    			hidden buffer, the current buffer is abandoned and the
    			first changed hidden buffer becomes the current
    			buffer.
    			Use ":qall!" to exit always.

    :cq[uit]		Quit always, without writing, and return an error
    			code.  See |:cq|.  Used for Manx's QuickFix mode (see
    			|quickfix|).

    							*:wq*
    :wq [++opt]		Write the current file and close the window.  If this
    			was the last |edit-window| Vim quits.
    			Writing fails when the file is read-only or the buffer
    			does not have a name.  Quitting fails when the last
    			file in the argument list has not been edited.

    :wq! [++opt]		Write the current file and close the window.  If this
    			was the last |edit-window| Vim quits.  Writing fails
    			when the current buffer does not have a name.

    :wq [++opt] {file}	Write to {file} and close the window.  If this was the
    			last |edit-window| Vim quits.  Quitting fails when the
    			last file in the argument list has not been edited.

    :wq! [++opt] {file}	Write to {file} and close the current window.  Quit
    			Vim if this was the last |edit-window|.

    :[range]wq[!] [++opt] [file]
    			Same as above, but only write the lines in [range].

    							*:x* *:xit*
    :[range]x[it][!] [++opt] [file]
    			Like ":wq", but write only when changes have been
    			made.
    			When 'hidden' is set and there are more windows, the
    			current buffer becomes hidden, after writing the file.
    			This command is not supported in |Vim9| script,
    			because it is too easily confused with a variable
    			name.

    							*:exi* *:exit*
    :[range]exi[t][!] [++opt] [file]
    			Same as :xit.

    							*ZZ*
    ZZ			Write current file, if modified, and close the current
    			window (same as ":x").
    			If there are several windows for the current file,
    			only the current window is closed.

    							*ZQ*
    ZQ			Quit without checking for changes (same as ":q!").

    MULTIPLE WINDOWS AND BUFFERS				*window-exit*

    							*:qa* *:qall*
    :qa[ll]		Exit Vim, unless there are some buffers which have been
    		changed.  (Use ":bmod" to go to the next modified buffer).
    		When 'autowriteall' is set all changed buffers will be
    		written, like |:wqall|.

    :conf[irm] qa[ll]
    		Exit Vim.  Bring up a prompt when some buffers have been
    		changed.  See |:confirm|.

    :qa[ll]!	Exit Vim.  Any changes to buffers are lost.
    		Also see |:cquit|, it does the same but exits with a non-zero
    		value.

    							*:quita* *:quitall*
    :quita[ll][!]	Same as ":qall".

    :wqa[ll] [++opt]				*:wqa* *:wqall* *:xa* *:xall*
    :xa[ll]		Write all changed buffers and exit Vim.  If there are buffers
    		without a file name, which are readonly or which cannot be
    		written for another reason, Vim will not quit.

    :conf[irm] wqa[ll] [++opt]
    :conf[irm] xa[ll]
    		Write all changed buffers and exit Vim.  Bring up a prompt
    		when some buffers are readonly or cannot be written for
    		another reason.  See |:confirm|.

    :wqa[ll]! [++opt]
    :xa[ll]!	Write all changed buffers, even the ones that are readonly,
    		and exit Vim.  If there are buffers without a file name or
    		which cannot be written for another reason, or there is a
    		terminal with a running job, Vim will not quit.

    ==============================================================================

    6. Dialogs						*edit-dialogs*

    							*:confirm* *:conf*
    :conf[irm] {command}	Execute {command}, and use a dialog when an
    			operation has to be confirmed.  Can be used on the
    			|:q|, |:qa| and |:w| commands (the latter to override
    			a read-only setting), and any other command that can
    			fail in such a way, such as |:only|, |:buffer|,
    			|:bdelete|, etc.

    Examples:
      :confirm w foo
     	Will ask for confirmation when "foo" already exists.
      :confirm q
     	Will ask for confirmation when there are changes.
      :confirm qa
     	If any modified, unsaved buffers exist, you will be prompted to save
    	or abandon each one.  There are also choices to "save all" or "abandon
    	all".

    If you want to always use ":confirm", set the 'confirm' option.

    							*:browse* *:bro* *E338*
    :bro[wse] {command}	Open a file selection dialog for an argument to
    			{command}.  At present this works for |:e|, |:w|,
    			|:wall|, |:wq|, |:wqall|, |:x|, |:xall|, |:exit|,
    			|:view|, |:sview|, |:r|, |:saveas|, |:sp|, |:mkexrc|,
    			|:mkvimrc|, |:mksession|, |:mkview|, |:split|,
    			|:vsplit|, |:tabe|, |:tabnew|, |:cfile|, |:cgetfile|,
    			|:caddfile|, |:lfile|, |:lgetfile|, |:laddfile|,
    			|:diffsplit|, |:diffpatch|, |:open|, |:pedit|,
    			|:redir|, |:source|, |:update|, |:visual|, |:vsplit|,
    			and |:qall| if 'confirm' is set.
    			{only in Win32, Motif, GTK and Mac GUI, in
    			console `browse edit` works if the FileExplorer
    			autocommand group exists}
    			When ":browse" is not possible you get an error
    			message.  If the |+browse| feature is missing or the
    			{command} doesn't support browsing, the {command} is
    			executed without a dialog.
    			":browse set" works like |:options|.
    			See also |:oldfiles| for ":browse oldfiles".

    The syntax is best shown via some examples:
    	:browse e $vim/foo
     		Open the browser in the $vim/foo directory, and edit the
    		file chosen.
    	:browse e
     		Open the browser in the directory specified with 'browsedir',
    		and edit the file chosen.
    	:browse w
     		Open the browser in the directory of the current buffer,
    		with the current buffer filename as default, and save the
    		buffer under the filename chosen.
    	:browse w C:/bar
     		Open the browser in the C:/bar directory, with the current
    		buffer filename as default, and save the buffer under the
    		filename chosen.
    Also see the 'browsedir' option.
    For versions of Vim where browsing is not supported, the command is executed
    unmodified.

    							*browsefilter*
    For MS-Windows and GTK, you can modify the filters that are used in the browse
    dialog.  By setting the g:browsefilter or b:browsefilter variables, you can
    change the filters globally or locally to the buffer.  The variable is set to
    a string in the format "{filter label}\t{pattern};{pattern}\n" where {filter
    label} is the text that appears in the "Files of Type" comboBox, and {pattern}
    is the pattern which filters the filenames.  Several patterns can be given,
    separated by ';'.

    For Motif the same format is used, but only the very first pattern is actually
    used (Motif only offers one pattern, but you can edit it).

    For example, to have only Vim files in the dialog, you could use the following
    command:

         let g:browsefilter = "Vim scripts\t*.vim\nVim Startup Files\t*vimrc\n"

    You can override the filter setting on a per-buffer basis by setting the
    b:browsefilter variable.  You would most likely set b:browsefilter in a
    filetype plugin, so that the browse dialog would contain entries related to
    the type of file you are currently editing.  Disadvantage: This makes it
    difficult to start editing a file of a different type.  To overcome this, you
    can add the following as the final filter on Windows:

    	All Files\t(*.*)\t*\n

    Or the following on other platforms, so that the user can still access any
    desired file:

    	All Files\t(*)\t*\n

    To avoid setting browsefilter when Vim does not actually support it, you can
    use has("browsefilter"):

    	if has("browsefilter")
    	   let g:browsefilter = "whatever"
    	endif

    ==============================================================================

    7. The current directory				*current-directory*

    You can use the |:cd|, |:tcd| and |:lcd| commands to change to another
    directory, so you will not have to type that directory name in front of the
    file names.  It also makes a difference for executing external commands, e.g.
    ":!ls".

    Changing directory fails when the current buffer is modified, the '.' flag is
    present in 'cpoptions' and "!" is not used in the command.

    							*:cd* *E747* *E472*
    :cd[!]			On non-Unix systems when 'cdhome' is off: Print the
    			current directory name.
    			Otherwise: Change the current directory to the home
    			directory.  Clear any window-local directory.
    			Use |:pwd| to print the current directory on all
    			systems.

    :cd[!] {path}		Change the current directory to {path}.
    			If {path} is relative, it is searched for in the
    			directories listed in 'cdpath'.
    			Clear any window-local directory.
    			Does not change the meaning of an already opened file,
    			because its full path name is remembered.  Files from
    			the |arglist| may change though!
    			On MS-Windows this also changes the active drive.
    			To change to the directory of the current file:
    				:cd %:h

    							*:cd-* *E186*
    :cd[!] -		Change to the previous current directory (before the
    			previous ":cd {path}" command).

    							*:chd* *:chdir*
    :chd[ir][!] [path]	Same as |:cd|.

    							*:tc* *:tcd*
    :tc[d][!] {path}	Like |:cd|, but only set the directory for the current
    			tab.  The current window will also use this directory.
    			The current directory is not changed for windows in
    			other tabs and for windows in the current tab that
    			have their own window-local directory.

    							*:tcd-*
    :tc[d][!] -		Change to the previous current directory, before the
    			last ":tcd {path}" command.

    							*:tch* *:tchdir*
    :tch[dir][!]		Same as |:tcd|.

    							*:lc* *:lcd*
    :lc[d][!] {path}	Like |:cd|, but only set the current directory when
    			the cursor is in the current window.  The current
    			directory for other windows is not changed, switching
    			to another window will stop using {path}.

    							*:lcd-*
    :lc[d][!] -		Change to the previous current directory, before the
    			last ":lcd {path}" command.

    							*:lch* *:lchdir*
    :lch[dir][!]		Same as |:lcd|.

    							*:pw* *:pwd* *E187*
    :pw[d]			Print the current directory name.
    			Also see |getcwd()|.

    							*:pwd-verbose*
    			When 'verbose' is non-zero, |:pwd| will also display
    			what scope the current directory was set.  Example:

    				" Set by :cd
    				:verbose pwd
    				[global] /path/to/current

    				" Set by :lcd
    				:verbose pwd
    				[window] /path/to/current

    				" Set by :tcd
    				:verbose pwd
    				[tabpage] /path/to/current

    So long as no |:lcd| or |:tcd| command has been used, all windows share the
    same current directory.  Using a command to jump to another window doesn't
    change anything for the current directory.

    When a |:lcd| command has been used for a window, the specified directory
    becomes the current directory for that window.  Windows where the |:lcd|
    command has not been used stick to the global or tab-local current directory.
    When jumping to another window the current directory is changed to the last
    specified local current directory.  If none was specified, the global or
    tab-local current directory is used.  When creating a new window it inherits
    the local directory of the current window.

    When a |:tcd| command has been used for a tab page, the specified directory
    becomes the current directory for the current tab page and the current window.
    The current directory of other tab pages is not affected.  When jumping to
    another tab page, the current directory is changed to the last specified local
    directory for that tab page.  If the current tab has no local current
    directory the global current directory is used.

    When a |:cd| command is used, the current window and tab page will lose the
    local current directory and will use the global current directory from now on.

    After using |:cd| the full path name will be used for reading and writing
    files.  On some networked file systems this may cause problems.  The result of
    using the full path name is that the file names currently in use will remain
    referring to the same file.  Example: If you have a file a:test and a
    directory a:vim the commands ":e test" ":cd vim" ":w" will overwrite the file
    a:test and not write a:vim/test.  But if you do ":w test" the file a:vim/test
    will be written, because you gave a new file name and did not refer to a
    filename before the ":cd".

    ==============================================================================

    8. Editing binary files					*edit-binary*

    Although Vim was made to edit text files, it is possible to edit binary
    files.  The |-b| Vim argument (b for binary) makes Vim do file I/O in binary
    mode, and sets some options for editing binary files ('binary' on, 'textwidth'
    to 0, 'modeline' off, 'expandtab' off).  Setting the 'binary' option has the
    same effect.  Don't forget to do this before reading the file.

    There are a few things to remember when editing binary files:
    - When editing executable files the number of bytes must not change.
      Use only the "R" or "r" command to change text.  Do not delete characters
      with "x" or by backspacing.
    - Set the 'textwidth' option to 0.  Otherwise lines will unexpectedly be
      split in two.
    - When there are not many <EOL>s, the lines will become very long.  If you
      want to edit a line that does not fit on the screen reset the 'wrap' option.
      Horizontal scrolling is used then.  If a line becomes too long (more than
      about 32767 bytes on the Amiga, much more on 32-bit and 64-bit systems, see
      |limits|) you cannot edit that line.  The line will be split when reading
      the file.  It is also possible that you get an "out of memory" error when
      reading the file.
    - Make sure the 'binary' option is set BEFORE loading the
      file.  Otherwise both <CR><NL> and <NL> are considered to end a line
      and when the file is written the <NL> will be replaced with <CR><NL>.
    - <Nul> characters are shown on the screen as ^@.  You can enter them with
      "CTRL-V CTRL-@" or "CTRL-V 000"
    - To insert a <NL> character in the file split a line.  When writing the
      buffer to a file a <NL> will be written for the <EOL>.
    - Vim normally appends an <EOL> at the end of the file if there is none.
      Setting the 'binary' option prevents this.  If you want to add the final
      <EOL>, set the 'endofline' option.  You can also read the value of this
      option to see if there was an <EOL> for the last line (you cannot see this
      in the text).

    ==============================================================================

    9. Encryption						*encryption*

    Vim is able to write files encrypted, and read them back.  The encrypted text
    cannot be read without the right key.

    {only available when compiled with the |+cryptv| feature}  *E833*

    The text in the swap file and the undo file is also encrypted.  *E843*
    However, this is done block-by-block and may reduce the time needed to crack a
    password.  You can disable the swap file, but then a crash will cause you to
    lose your work.  The undo file can be disabled without too much disadvantage.
    	:set noundofile
    	:noswapfile edit secrets

    Note: The text in memory is not encrypted.  A system administrator may be able
    to see your text while you are editing it.  When filtering text with
    ":!filter" or using ":w !command" the text is also not encrypted, this may
    reveal it to others.  The 'viminfo' file is not encrypted.

    You could do this to edit very secret text:
    	:set noundofile viminfo=
    	:noswapfile edit secrets.txt
    Keep in mind that without a swap file you risk losing your work in the event
    of a crash or a power failure.

    WARNING: If you make a typo when entering the key and then write the file and
    exit, the text will be lost!

    The normal way to work with encryption, is to use the ":X" command, which will
    ask you to enter a key.  A following write command will use that key to
    encrypt the file.  If you later edit the same file, Vim will ask you to enter
    a key.  If you type the same key as that was used for writing, the text will
    be readable again.  If you use a wrong key, it will be a mess.

    							*:X*
    :X	Prompt for an encryption key.  The typing is done without showing the
    	actual text, so that someone looking at the display won't see it.
    	The typed key is stored in the 'key' option, which is used to encrypt
    	the file when it is written.
    	The file will remain unchanged until you write it.  Note that commands
    	such as `:xit` and `ZZ` will NOT write the file unless there are other
    	changes.
    	See also |-x|.

    The value of the 'key' options is used when text is written.  When the option
    is not empty, the written file will be encrypted, using the value as the
    encryption key.  A magic number is prepended, so that Vim can recognize that
    the file is encrypted.

    To disable the encryption, reset the 'key' option to an empty value:
    	:set key=

    You can use the 'cryptmethod' option to select the type of encryption, use one
    of these:
    	:setlocal cm=zip          " weak method, backwards compatible
    	:setlocal cm=blowfish     " method with flaws, do not use
    	:setlocal cm=blowfish2    " medium strong method
    	:setlocal cm=xchacha20v2  " medium strong method using libsodium

    Do this before writing the file.  When reading an encrypted file it will be
    set automatically to the method used when that file was written.  You can
    change 'cryptmethod' before writing that file to change the method.

    To set the default method, used for new files, use this in your |vimrc|
    file:
    	set cm=blowfish2
    Using "blowfish2" is highly recommended.  Only use another method if you
    must use an older Vim version that does not support it.

    The message given for reading and writing a file will show "[crypted]" when
    using zip, "[blowfish]" when using blowfish, etc.

    When writing an undo file, the same key and method will be used for the text
    in the undo file. |persistent-undo|.

    To test for blowfish support you can use these conditions:
    	has('crypt-blowfish')
    	has('crypt-blowfish2')
    This works since Vim 7.4.1099 while blowfish support was added earlier.
    Thus the condition failing doesn't mean blowfish is not supported.  You can
    test for blowfish with:
    	v:version >= 703
    And for blowfish2 with:
    	v:version > 704 || (v:version == 704 && has('patch401'))
    If you are sure Vim includes patch 7.4.237 a simpler check is:
    	has('patch-7.4.401')

    						*E817* *E818* *E819* *E820*
    When encryption does not work properly, you would be able to write your text
    to a file and never be able to read it back.  Therefore a test is performed to
    check if the encryption works as expected.  If you get one of these errors
    don't write the file encrypted!  You need to rebuild the Vim binary to fix
    this.

    *E831* This is an internal error, "cannot happen".  If you can reproduce it,
    please report to the developers.

    When reading a file that has been encrypted and the 'key' option is not empty,
    it will be used for decryption.  If the value is empty, you will be prompted
    to enter the key.  If you don't enter a key, or you enter the wrong key, the
    file is edited without being decrypted.  There is no warning about using the
    wrong key (this makes brute force methods to find the key more difficult).

    If want to start reading a file that uses a different key, set the 'key'
    option to an empty string, so that Vim will prompt for a new one.  Don't use
    the ":set" command to enter the value, other people can read the command over
    your shoulder.

    Since the value of the 'key' option is supposed to be a secret, its value can
    never be viewed.  You should not set this option in a vimrc file.

    An encrypted file can be recognized by the "file" command, if you add these
    lines to "/etc/magic", "/usr/share/misc/magic" or wherever your system has the
    "magic" file:
         0	string	VimCrypt~	Vim encrypted file
         >9	string	01	- "zip" cryptmethod
         >9	string	02	- "blowfish" cryptmethod
         >9	string	03	- "blowfish2" cryptmethod

    Notes:
    - Encryption is not possible when doing conversion with 'charconvert'.
    - Text you copy or delete goes to the numbered registers.  The registers can
      be saved in the .viminfo file, where they could be read.  Change your
      'viminfo' option to be safe.
    - Someone can type commands in Vim when you walk away for a moment, he should
      not be able to get the key.
    - If you make a typing mistake when entering the key, you might not be able to
      get your text back!
    - If you type the key with a ":set key=value" command, it can be kept in the
      history, showing the 'key' value in a viminfo file.
    - There is never 100% safety.  The encryption in Vim has not been tested for
      robustness.
    - The algorithm used for 'cryptmethod' "zip" is breakable.  A 4 character key
      in about one hour, a 6 character key in one day (on a Pentium 133 PC).  This
      requires that you know some text that must appear in the file.  An expert
      can break it for any key.  When the text has been decrypted, this also means
      that the key can be revealed, and other files encrypted with the same key
      can be decrypted.
    - Pkzip uses the same encryption as 'cryptmethod' "zip", and US Govt has no
      objection to its export.  Pkzip's public file APPNOTE.TXT describes this
      algorithm in detail.
    - The implementation of 'cryptmethod' "blowfish" has a flaw.  It is possible
      to crack the first 64 bytes of a file and in some circumstances more of the
      file.  Use of it is not recommended, but it's still the strongest method
      supported by Vim 7.3 and 7.4.  The "zip" method is even weaker.
    - Vim originates from the Netherlands.  That is where the sources come from.
      Thus the encryption code is not exported from the USA.

    ==============================================================================

    10. Timestamps					*timestamp* *timestamps*

    Vim remembers the modification timestamp, mode and size of a file when you
    begin editing it.  This is used to avoid that you have two different versions
    of the same file (without you knowing this).

    After a shell command is run (|:!cmd| |suspend| |:read!| |K|) timestamps,
    file modes and file sizes are compared for all buffers in a window.   Vim will
    run any associated |FileChangedShell| autocommands or display a warning for
    any files that have changed.  In the GUI this happens when Vim regains input
    focus.

    							*E321* *E462*
    If you want to automatically reload a file when it has been changed outside of
    Vim, set the 'autoread' option.  This doesn't work at the moment you write the
    file though, only when the file wasn't changed inside of Vim.

    							*ignore-timestamp*
    If you do not want to be asked or automatically reload the file, you can use
    this:
    	set buftype=nofile

    Or, when starting gvim from a shell:
    	gvim file.log -c "set buftype=nofile"

    Note that if a FileChangedShell autocommand is defined you will not get a
    warning message or prompt.  The autocommand is expected to handle this.

    There is no warning for a directory (e.g., with |netrw-browse|).  But you do
    get warned if you started editing a new file and it was created as a directory
    later.

    When Vim notices the timestamp of a file has changed, and the file is being
    edited in a buffer but has not changed, Vim checks if the contents of the file
    is equal.  This is done by reading the file again (into a hidden buffer, which
    is immediately deleted again) and comparing the text.  If the text is equal,
    you will get no warning.

    If you don't get warned often enough you can use the following command.

    							*:checkt* *:checktime*
    :checkt[ime]		Check if any buffers were changed outside of Vim.
    			This checks and warns you if you would end up with two
    			versions of a file.
    			If this is called from an autocommand, a ":global"
    			command or is not typed the actual check is postponed
    			until a moment the side effects (reloading the file)
    			would be harmless.
    			Each loaded buffer is checked for its associated file
    			being changed.  If the file was changed Vim will take
    			action.  If there are no changes in the buffer and
    			'autoread' is set, the buffer is reloaded.  Otherwise,
    			you are offered the choice of reloading the file.  If
    			the file was deleted you get an error message.
    			If the file previously didn't exist you get a warning
    			if it exists now.
    			Once a file has been checked the timestamp is reset,
    			you will not be warned again.
    			Syntax highlighting, marks, diff status,
    			'fileencoding', 'fileformat' and 'binary' options
    			are not changed.  See |v:fcs_choice| to reload these
    			too (for example, if a code formatting tools has
    			changed the file).

    :[N]checkt[ime] {filename}
    :[N]checkt[ime] [N]
    			Check the timestamp of a specific buffer.  The buffer
    			may be specified by name, number or with a pattern.

    							*E813* *E814*
    Vim will reload the buffer if you chose to.  If a window is visible that
    contains this buffer, the reloading will happen in the context of this window.
    Otherwise a special window is used, so that most autocommands will work.  You
    can't close this window.  A few other restrictions apply.  Best is to make
    sure nothing happens outside of the current buffer.  E.g., setting
    window-local options may end up in the wrong window.  Splitting the window,
    doing something there and closing it should be OK (if there are no side
    effects from other autocommands).  Closing unrelated windows and buffers will
    get you into trouble.

    Before writing a file the timestamp is checked.  If it has changed, Vim will
    ask if you really want to overwrite the file:

    	WARNING: The file has been changed since reading it!!!
    	Do you really want to write to it (y/n)?

    If you hit 'y' Vim will continue writing the file.  If you hit 'n' the write
    is aborted.  If you used ":wq" or "ZZ" Vim will not exit, you will get another
    chance to write the file.

    The message would normally mean that somebody has written to the file after
    the edit session started.  This could be another person, in which case you
    probably want to check if your changes to the file and the changes from the
    other person should be merged.  Write the file under another name and check
    for differences (the "diff" program can be used for this).

    It is also possible that you modified the file yourself, from another edit
    session or with another command (e.g., a filter command).  Then you will know
    which version of the file you want to keep.

    The accuracy of the time check depends on the filesystem.  On Unix it is
    usually sub-second.  With old file systems and on MS-Windows it is normally
    one second.  Use `has('nanotime')` to check if sub-second time stamp checks
    are available.

    There is one situation where you get the message while there is nothing wrong:
    On a Win32 system on the day daylight saving time starts.  There is something
    in the Win32 libraries that confuses Vim about the hour time difference.  The
    problem goes away the next day.

    ==============================================================================

    11. File Searching					*file-searching*

    The file searching is currently used for the 'path', 'cdpath' and 'tags'
    options, for |finddir()| and |findfile()|.  Other commands use |wildcards|
    which is slightly different.

    There are three different types of searching:

    1) Downward search:					*starstar*
       Downward search uses the wildcards '*', '**' and possibly others
       supported by your operating system.  '*' and '**' are handled inside Vim,
       so they work on all operating systems.  Note that "**" only acts as a
       special wildcard when it is at the start of a name.

       The usage of '*' is quite simple: It matches 0 or more characters.  In a
       search pattern this would be ".*".  Note that the "." is not used for file
       searching.

       '**' is more sophisticated:
          - It ONLY matches directories.
          - It matches up to 30 directories deep by default, so you can use it to
    	search an entire directory tree
          - The maximum number of levels matched can be given by appending a
    	number to '**'.
    	Thus '/usr/**2' can match:
    		/usr
    		/usr/include
    		/usr/include/sys
    		/usr/include/g++
    		/usr/lib
    		/usr/lib/X11
    		....
     	It does NOT match '/usr/include/g++/std' as this would be three
    	levels.
    	The allowed number range is 0 ('**0' is removed) to 100
    	If the given number is smaller than 0 it defaults to 30, if it's
    	bigger than 100 then 100 is used.  The system also has a limit on the
    	path length, usually 256 or 1024 bytes.
          - '**' can only be at the end of the path or be followed by a path
    	separator or by a number and a path separator.

       You can combine '*' and '**' in any order:
    	/usr/**/sys/*
    	/usr/*tory/sys/**
    	/usr/**2/sys/*

    2) Upward search:
       Here you can give a directory and then search the directory tree upward for
       a file.  You could give stop-directories to limit the upward search.  The
       stop-directories are appended to the path (for the 'path' option) or to
       the filename (for the 'tags' option) with a ';'.  If you want several
       stop-directories separate them with ';'.  If you want no stop-directory
       ("search upward till the root directory") just use ';'.
    	/usr/include/sys;/usr
        will search in:
    	   /usr/include/sys
    	   /usr/include
    	   /usr

       If you use a relative path the upward search is started in Vim's current
       directory or in the directory of the current file (if the relative path
       starts with './' and 'd' is not included in 'cpoptions').

       If Vim's current path is /u/user_x/work/release and you do
    	:set path=include;/u/user_x
        and then search for a file with |gf| the file is searched in:
    	/u/user_x/work/release/include
    	/u/user_x/work/include
    	/u/user_x/include

        Note: If your 'path' setting includes a non-existing directory, Vim will
       skip the non-existing directory, and also does not search in the parent of
       the non-existing directory if upwards searching is used.

    3) Combined up/downward search:
       If Vim's current path is /u/user_x/work/release and you do
    	set path=**;/u/user_x
        and then search for a file with |gf| the file is searched in:
    	/u/user_x/work/release/**
    	/u/user_x/work/**
    	/u/user_x/**

       BE CAREFUL!  This might consume a lot of time, as the search of
       '/u/user_x/**' includes '/u/user_x/work/**' and
       '/u/user_x/work/release/**'.  So '/u/user_x/work/release/**' is searched
       three times and '/u/user_x/work/**' is searched twice.

       In the above example you might want to set path to:
    	:set path=**,/u/user_x/**
        This searches:
    	/u/user_x/work/release/**
    	/u/user_x/**
        This searches the same directories, but in a different order.

       Note that completion for ":find", ":sfind", and ":tabfind" commands do not
       currently work with 'path' items that contain a URL or use the double star
       with depth limiter (/usr/**2) or upward search (;) notations.

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