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|
*tagsrch.txt* For Vim version 8.2. Last change: 2020 Dec 19
VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
Tags and special searches *tags-and-searches*
See section |29.1| of the user manual for an introduction.
1. Jump to a tag |tag-commands|
2. Tag stack |tag-stack|
3. Tag match list |tag-matchlist|
4. Tags details |tag-details|
5. Tags file format |tags-file-format|
6. Include file searches |include-search|
7. Using 'tagfunc' |tag-function|
==============================================================================
1. Jump to a tag *tag-commands*
*tag* *tags*
A tag is an identifier that appears in a "tags" file. It is a sort of label
that can be jumped to. For example: In C programs each function name can be
used as a tag. The "tags" file has to be generated by a program like ctags,
before the tag commands can be used.
With the ":tag" command the cursor will be positioned on the tag. With the
CTRL-] command, the keyword on which the cursor is standing is used as the
tag. If the cursor is not on a keyword, the first keyword to the right of the
cursor is used.
The ":tag" command works very well for C programs. If you see a call to a
function and wonder what that function does, position the cursor inside of the
function name and hit CTRL-]. This will bring you to the function definition.
An easy way back is with the CTRL-T command. Also read about the tag stack
below.
*:ta* *:tag* *E426* *E429*
:[count]ta[g][!] {name}
Jump to the definition of {name}, using the
information in the tags file(s). Put {name} in the
tag stack. See |tag-!| for [!].
{name} can be a regexp pattern, see |tag-regexp|.
When there are several matching tags for {name}, jump
to the [count] one. When [count] is omitted the
first one is jumped to. See |tag-matchlist| for
jumping to other matching tags.
g<LeftMouse> *g<LeftMouse>*
<C-LeftMouse> *<C-LeftMouse>* *CTRL-]*
CTRL-] Jump to the definition of the keyword under the
cursor. Same as ":tag {name}", where {name} is the
keyword under or after cursor.
When there are several matching tags for {name}, jump
to the [count] one. When no [count] is given the
first one is jumped to. See |tag-matchlist| for
jumping to other matching tags.
*v_CTRL-]*
{Visual}CTRL-] Same as ":tag {name}", where {name} is the text that
is highlighted.
*telnet-CTRL-]*
CTRL-] is the default telnet escape key. When you type CTRL-] to jump to a
tag, you will get the telnet prompt instead. Most versions of telnet allow
changing or disabling the default escape key. See the telnet man page. You
can 'telnet -E {Hostname}' to disable the escape character, or 'telnet -e
{EscapeCharacter} {Hostname}' to specify another escape character. If
possible, try to use "ssh" instead of "telnet" to avoid this problem.
*tag-priority*
When there are multiple matches for a tag, this priority is used:
1. "FSC" A full matching static tag for the current file.
2. "F C" A full matching global tag for the current file.
3. "F " A full matching global tag for another file.
4. "FS " A full matching static tag for another file.
5. " SC" An ignore-case matching static tag for the current file.
6. " C" An ignore-case matching global tag for the current file.
7. " " An ignore-case matching global tag for another file.
8. " S " An ignore-case matching static tag for another file.
Note that when the current file changes, the priority list is mostly not
changed, to avoid confusion when using ":tnext". It is changed when using
":tag {name}".
The ignore-case matches are not found for a ":tag" command when:
- 'tagcase' is "followic" and the 'ignorecase' option is off
- 'tagcase' is "followscs" and the 'ignorecase' option is off and the
'smartcase' option is off or the pattern contains an upper case character.
- 'tagcase' is "match"
- 'tagcase' is "smart" and the pattern contains an upper case character.
The ignore-case matches are found when:
- a pattern is used (starting with a "/")
- for ":tselect"
- when 'tagcase' is "followic" and 'ignorecase' is on
- when 'tagcase' is "followscs" and 'ignorecase' is on or the 'smartcase'
option is on and the pattern does not contain an upper case character
- when 'tagcase' is "ignore"
- when 'tagcase' is "smart" and the patter does not contain an upper case
character
Note that using ignore-case tag searching disables binary searching in the
tags file, which causes a slowdown. This can be avoided by fold-case sorting
the tag file. See the 'tagbsearch' option for an explanation.
==============================================================================
2. Tag stack *tag-stack* *tagstack* *E425*
On the tag stack is remembered which tags you jumped to, and from where.
Tags are only pushed onto the stack when the 'tagstack' option is set.
g<RightMouse> *g<RightMouse>*
<C-RightMouse> *<C-RightMouse>* *CTRL-T*
CTRL-T Jump to [count] older entry in the tag stack
(default 1).
*:po* *:pop* *E555* *E556*
:[count]po[p][!] Jump to [count] older entry in tag stack (default 1).
See |tag-!| for [!].
:[count]ta[g][!] Jump to [count] newer entry in tag stack (default 1).
See |tag-!| for [!].
*:tags*
:tags Show the contents of the tag stack. The active
entry is marked with a '>'.
The output of ":tags" looks like this:
# TO tag FROM line in file/text
1 1 main 1 harddisk2:text/vim/test
> 2 2 FuncA 58 i = FuncA(10);
3 1 FuncC 357 harddisk2:text/vim/src/amiga.c
This list shows the tags that you jumped to and the cursor position before
that jump. The older tags are at the top, the newer at the bottom.
The '>' points to the active entry. This is the tag that will be used by the
next ":tag" command. The CTRL-T and ":pop" command will use the position
above the active entry.
Below the "TO" is the number of the current match in the match list. Note
that this doesn't change when using ":pop" or ":tag".
The line number and file name are remembered to be able to get back to where
you were before the tag command. The line number will be correct, also when
deleting/inserting lines, unless this was done by another program (e.g.
another instance of Vim).
For the current file, the "file/text" column shows the text at the position.
An indent is removed and a long line is truncated to fit in the window.
You can jump to previously used tags with several commands. Some examples:
":pop" or CTRL-T to position before previous tag
{count}CTRL-T to position before {count} older tag
":tag" to newer tag
":0tag" to last used tag
The most obvious way to use this is while browsing through the call graph of
a program. Consider the following call graph:
main ---> FuncA ---> FuncC
---> FuncB
(Explanation: main calls FuncA and FuncB; FuncA calls FuncC).
You can get from main to FuncA by using CTRL-] on the call to FuncA. Then
you can CTRL-] to get to FuncC. If you now want to go back to main you can
use CTRL-T twice. Then you can CTRL-] to FuncB.
If you issue a ":ta {name}" or CTRL-] command, this tag is inserted at the
current position in the stack. If the stack was full (it can hold up to 20
entries), the oldest entry is deleted and the older entries shift one
position up (their index number is decremented by one). If the last used
entry was not at the bottom, the entries below the last used one are
deleted. This means that an old branch in the call graph is lost. After the
commands explained above the tag stack will look like this:
# TO tag FROM line in file/text
1 1 main 1 harddisk2:text/vim/test
2 1 FuncB 59 harddisk2:text/vim/src/main.c
The |gettagstack()| function returns the tag stack of a specified window. The
|settagstack()| function modifies the tag stack of a window.
*tagstack-examples*
Write to the tag stack just like `:tag` but with a user-defined
jumper#jump_to_tag function: >
" Store where we're jumping from before we jump.
let tag = expand('<cword>')
let pos = [bufnr()] + getcurpos()[1:]
let item = {'bufnr': pos[0], 'from': pos, 'tagname': tag}
if jumper#jump_to_tag(tag)
" Jump was successful, write previous location to tag stack.
let winid = win_getid()
let stack = gettagstack(winid)
let stack['items'] = [item]
call settagstack(winid, stack, 't')
endif
<
Set current index of the tag stack to 4: >
call settagstack(1005, {'curidx' : 4})
<
Push a new item onto the tag stack: >
let pos = [bufnr('myfile.txt'), 10, 1, 0]
let newtag = [{'tagname' : 'mytag', 'from' : pos}]
call settagstack(2, {'items' : newtag}, 'a')
<
*E73*
When you try to use the tag stack while it doesn't contain anything you will
get an error message.
==============================================================================
3. Tag match list *tag-matchlist* *E427* *E428*
When there are several matching tags, these commands can be used to jump
between them. Note that these commands don't change the tag stack, they keep
the same entry.
*:ts* *:tselect*
:ts[elect][!] [name] List the tags that match [name], using the
information in the tags file(s).
When [name] is not given, the last tag name from the
tag stack is used.
See |tag-!| for [!].
With a '>' in the first column is indicated which is
the current position in the list (if there is one).
[name] can be a regexp pattern, see |tag-regexp|.
See |tag-priority| for the priorities used in the
listing.
Example output:
>
# pri kind tag file
1 F f mch_delay os_amiga.c
mch_delay(msec, ignoreinput)
> 2 F f mch_delay os_msdos.c
mch_delay(msec, ignoreinput)
3 F f mch_delay os_unix.c
mch_delay(msec, ignoreinput)
Type number and <Enter> (empty cancels):
<
See |tag-priority| for the "pri" column. Note that
this depends on the current file, thus using
":tselect xxx" can produce different results.
The "kind" column gives the kind of tag, if this was
included in the tags file.
The "info" column shows information that could be
found in the tags file. It depends on the program
that produced the tags file.
When the list is long, you may get the |more-prompt|.
If you already see the tag you want to use, you can
type 'q' and enter the number.
*:sts* *:stselect*
:sts[elect][!] [name] Does ":tselect[!] [name]" and splits the window for
the selected tag.
*g]*
g] Like CTRL-], but use ":tselect" instead of ":tag".
*v_g]*
{Visual}g] Same as "g]", but use the highlighted text as the
identifier.
*:tj* *:tjump*
:tj[ump][!] [name] Like ":tselect", but jump to the tag directly when
there is only one match.
*:stj* *:stjump*
:stj[ump][!] [name] Does ":tjump[!] [name]" and splits the window for the
selected tag.
*g_CTRL-]*
g CTRL-] Like CTRL-], but use ":tjump" instead of ":tag".
*v_g_CTRL-]*
{Visual}g CTRL-] Same as "g CTRL-]", but use the highlighted text as
the identifier.
*:tn* *:tnext*
:[count]tn[ext][!] Jump to [count] next matching tag (default 1). See
|tag-!| for [!].
*:tp* *:tprevious*
:[count]tp[revious][!] Jump to [count] previous matching tag (default 1).
See |tag-!| for [!].
*:tN* *:tNext*
:[count]tN[ext][!] Same as ":tprevious".
*:tr* *:trewind*
:[count]tr[ewind][!] Jump to first matching tag. If [count] is given, jump
to [count]th matching tag. See |tag-!| for [!].
*:tf* *:tfirst*
:[count]tf[irst][!] Same as ":trewind".
*:tl* *:tlast*
:tl[ast][!] Jump to last matching tag. See |tag-!| for [!].
*:lt* *:ltag*
:lt[ag][!] [name] Jump to tag [name] and add the matching tags to a new
location list for the current window. [name] can be
a regexp pattern, see |tag-regexp|. When [name] is
not given, the last tag name from the tag stack is
used. The search pattern to locate the tag line is
prefixed with "\V" to escape all the special
characters (very nomagic). The location list showing
the matching tags is independent of the tag stack.
See |tag-!| for [!].
When there is no other message, Vim shows which matching tag has been jumped
to, and the number of matching tags: >
tag 1 of 3 or more
The " or more" is used to indicate that Vim didn't try all the tags files yet.
When using ":tnext" a few times, or with ":tlast", more matches may be found.
When you didn't see this message because of some other message, or you just
want to know where you are, this command will show it again (and jump to the
same tag as last time): >
:0tn
<
*tag-skip-file*
When a matching tag is found for which the file doesn't exist, this match is
skipped and the next matching tag is used. Vim reports this, to notify you of
missing files. When the end of the list of matches has been reached, an error
message is given.
*tag-preview*
The tag match list can also be used in the preview window. The commands are
the same as above, with a "p" prepended.
{not available when compiled without the |+quickfix| feature}
*:pts* *:ptselect*
:pts[elect][!] [name] Does ":tselect[!] [name]" and shows the new tag in a
"Preview" window. See |:ptag| for more info.
*:ptj* *:ptjump*
:ptj[ump][!] [name] Does ":tjump[!] [name]" and shows the new tag in a
"Preview" window. See |:ptag| for more info.
*:ptn* *:ptnext*
:[count]ptn[ext][!] ":tnext" in the preview window. See |:ptag|.
*:ptp* *:ptprevious*
:[count]ptp[revious][!] ":tprevious" in the preview window. See |:ptag|.
*:ptN* *:ptNext*
:[count]ptN[ext][!] Same as ":ptprevious".
*:ptr* *:ptrewind*
:[count]ptr[ewind][!] ":trewind" in the preview window. See |:ptag|.
*:ptf* *:ptfirst*
:[count]ptf[irst][!] Same as ":ptrewind".
*:ptl* *:ptlast*
:ptl[ast][!] ":tlast" in the preview window. See |:ptag|.
==============================================================================
4. Tags details *tag-details*
*static-tag*
A static tag is a tag that is defined for a specific file. In a C program
this could be a static function.
In Vi jumping to a tag sets the current search pattern. This means that the
"n" command after jumping to a tag does not search for the same pattern that
it did before jumping to the tag. Vim does not do this as we consider it to
be a bug. If you really want the old Vi behavior, set the 't' flag in
'cpoptions'.
*tag-binary-search*
Vim uses binary searching in the tags file to find the desired tag quickly
(when enabled at compile time |+tag_binary|). But this only works if the
tags file was sorted on ASCII byte value. Therefore, if no match was found,
another try is done with a linear search. If you only want the linear search,
reset the 'tagbsearch' option. Or better: Sort the tags file!
Note that the binary searching is disabled when not looking for a tag with a
specific name. This happens when ignoring case and when a regular expression
is used that doesn't start with a fixed string. Tag searching can be a lot
slower then. The former can be avoided by case-fold sorting the tags file.
See 'tagbsearch' for details.
*tag-regexp*
The ":tag" and ":tselect" commands accept a regular expression argument. See
|pattern| for the special characters that can be used.
When the argument starts with '/', it is used as a pattern. If the argument
does not start with '/', it is taken literally, as a full tag name.
Examples: >
:tag main
< jumps to the tag "main" that has the highest priority. >
:tag /^get
< jumps to the tag that starts with "get" and has the highest priority. >
:tag /norm
< lists all the tags that contain "norm", including "id_norm".
When the argument both exists literally, and match when used as a regexp, a
literal match has a higher priority. For example, ":tag /open" matches "open"
before "open_file" and "file_open".
When using a pattern case is ignored. If you want to match case use "\C" in
the pattern.
*tag-!*
If the tag is in the current file this will always work. Otherwise the
performed actions depend on whether the current file was changed, whether a !
is added to the command and on the 'autowrite' option:
tag in file autowrite ~
current file changed ! option action ~
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
yes x x x goto tag
no no x x read other file, goto tag
no yes yes x abandon current file, read other file, goto
tag
no yes no on write current file, read other file, goto
tag
no yes no off fail
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- If the tag is in the current file, the command will always work.
- If the tag is in another file and the current file was not changed, the
other file will be made the current file and read into the buffer.
- If the tag is in another file, the current file was changed and a ! is
added to the command, the changes to the current file are lost, the other
file will be made the current file and read into the buffer.
- If the tag is in another file, the current file was changed and the
'autowrite' option is on, the current file will be written, the other
file will be made the current file and read into the buffer.
- If the tag is in another file, the current file was changed and the
'autowrite' option is off, the command will fail. If you want to save
the changes, use the ":w" command and then use ":tag" without an argument.
This works because the tag is put on the stack anyway. If you want to lose
the changes you can use the ":tag!" command.
*tag-security*
Note that Vim forbids some commands, for security reasons. This works like
using the 'secure' option for exrc/vimrc files in the current directory. See
|trojan-horse| and |sandbox|.
When the {tagaddress} changes a buffer, you will get a warning message:
"WARNING: tag command changed a buffer!!!"
In a future version changing the buffer will be impossible. All this for
security reasons: Somebody might hide a nasty command in the tags file, which
would otherwise go unnoticed. Example: >
:$d|/tag-function-name/
In Vi the ":tag" command sets the last search pattern when the tag is searched
for. In Vim this is not done, the previous search pattern is still remembered,
unless the 't' flag is present in 'cpoptions'.
*emacs-tags* *emacs_tags* *E430*
Emacs style tag files are only supported if Vim was compiled with the
|+emacs_tags| feature enabled. Sorry, there is no explanation about Emacs tag
files here, it is only supported for backwards compatibility :-).
Lines in Emacs tags files can be very long. Vim only deals with lines of up
to about 510 bytes. To see whether lines are ignored set 'verbose' to 5 or
higher. Non-Emacs tags file lines can be any length.
*tags-option*
The 'tags' option is a list of file names. Each of these files is searched
for the tag. This can be used to use a different tags file than the default
file "tags". It can also be used to access a common tags file.
The next file in the list is not used when:
- A matching static tag for the current buffer has been found.
- A matching global tag has been found.
This also depends on whether case is ignored. Case is ignored when:
- 'tagcase' is "followic" and 'ignorecase' is set
- 'tagcase' is "ignore"
- 'tagcase' is "smart" and the pattern only contains lower case
characters.
- 'tagcase' is "followscs" and 'smartcase' is set and the pattern only
contains lower case characters.
If case is not ignored, and the tags file only has a match without matching
case, the next tags file is searched for a match with matching case. If no
tag with matching case is found, the first match without matching case is
used. If case is ignored, and a matching global tag with or without matching
case is found, this one is used, no further tags files are searched.
When a tag file name starts with "./", the '.' is replaced with the path of
the current file. This makes it possible to use a tags file in the directory
where the current file is (no matter what the current directory is). The idea
of using "./" is that you can define which tag file is searched first: In the
current directory ("tags,./tags") or in the directory of the current file
("./tags,tags").
For example: >
:set tags=./tags,tags,/home/user/commontags
In this example the tag will first be searched for in the file "tags" in the
directory where the current file is. Next the "tags" file in the current
directory. If it is not found there, then the file "/home/user/commontags"
will be searched for the tag.
This can be switched off by including the 'd' flag in 'cpoptions', to make
it Vi compatible. "./tags" will then be the tags file in the current
directory, instead of the tags file in the directory where the current file
is.
Instead of the comma a space may be used. Then a backslash is required for
the space to be included in the string option: >
:set tags=tags\ /home/user/commontags
To include a space in a file name use three backslashes. To include a comma
in a file name use two backslashes. For example, use: >
:set tags=tag\\\ file,/home/user/common\\,tags
for the files "tag file" and "/home/user/common,tags". The 'tags' option will
have the value "tag\ file,/home/user/common\,tags".
If the 'tagrelative' option is on (which is the default) and using a tag file
in another directory, file names in that tag file are relative to the
directory where the tag file is.
==============================================================================
5. Tags file format *tags-file-format* *E431*
*ctags* *jtags*
A tags file can be created with an external command, for example "ctags". It
will contain a tag for each function. Some versions of "ctags" will also make
a tag for each "#defined" macro, typedefs, enums, etc.
Some programs that generate tags files:
ctags As found on most Unix systems. Only supports C. Only
does the basic work.
universal ctags A maintained version of ctags based on exuberant
ctags. See https://ctags.io.
*Exuberant_ctags*
exuberant ctags This is a very good one. It works for C, C++, Java,
Fortran, Eiffel and others. It can generate tags for
many items. See http://ctags.sourceforge.net.
No new version since 2009.
etags Connected to Emacs. Supports many languages.
JTags For Java, in Java. It can be found at
http://www.fleiner.com/jtags/.
ptags.py For Python, in Python. Found in your Python source
directory at Tools/scripts/ptags.py.
ptags For Perl, in Perl. It can be found at
http://www.eleves.ens.fr:8080/home/nthiery/Tags/.
gnatxref For Ada. See http://www.gnuada.org/. gnatxref is
part of the gnat package.
The lines in the tags file must have one of
|