is it possible to extend vim functionality via custom extension (preferably, written in Python)?
What I need ideally is custom command when in command mode. E.g.
ESC
:do_this
:do_that
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3 Answers
vim supports scripting in python (and in perl as well, I think).
You just have to make sure that the vim distribution you are using has been compiled with python support.
If you are using a Linux system, you can download the source and then compile it with
./configure --enable-pythoninterp
make
sudo make install
Inside vim, you can type
:version
to list the available features; if it has python support, you should see a '+python' somewhere (a '-python' otherwise).
Then, to check the usage of the python module, you can type
:help python
P.S: if you're going to compile the vim sources, make sure to check the available configure options, you might need to specify --with-python-config-dir as well.
P.P.S: to create a "custom command in command mode" (if I understand correctly what you mean), you can create a function "MyFunction" in a vim script (using python or the vim scripting language) and then invoke it with
:Call MyFunction()
Check
:help user-functions
for details
3 Comments
AgentLiquid
Hey orsogufo, I'm having trouble with this ... the "+python" doesn't show up even after compiling with the --enable-pythoninterp option. I set the python-config-dir to /usr/lib/python2.4/ I am using a standard Debian distro. Any suggestions? I'd be extremely grateful.
Paolo Tedesco
@shafik23: this is quite strange; are you sure the compilation was successful? did you receive any warning? The best suggestion I can give you is to read carefully the output of configure and make... and of course, if you find something strange you can ask a question! Cheers
sparklewhiskers
@shafik23 I had a problem with symptoms like yours until I also installed the package python-dev. I followed the basic run of the instructions blog.deepinit.com/?p=6 i.e. edit Makefile in src/ to include CONF_OPT_PYTHON=’–-enable-pythoninterp’ line then 'make config' in src/ then make && make install from top level directory.
Yes it is. There are several extensions on http://www.vim.org/scripts/index.php
It can be done with python as well if the support for python is compiled in.
Article about it: http://www.techrepublic.com/article/extending-vim-with-python/
Google is our friend.
HTH
Comments
Had a problems to compile Vim with Python.
...checking if compile and link flags for Python are sane... no: PYTHON DISABLED" in the ./configure output.
On Ubuntu 10.04 you have to install python2.6-dev. The flags for ./configure are:
--enable-pythoninterp
--with-python-config-dir=/usr/lib/python2.6/config
Make sure you got a path to directory, which contains config.c file. Also no / at the end of the path! That caused me problems.
