2017-03-21 17:13:51 -07:00
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*develop.txt* Nvim
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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2016-06-12 23:11:12 -07:00
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NVIM REFERENCE MANUAL
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
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Development of Nvim *development* *dev*
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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2018-11-15 18:00:04 -07:00
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This reference describes design constraints and guidelines, for developing
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2024-10-07 08:27:38 -07:00
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Nvim applications or Nvim itself. See |dev-arch| for discussion of Nvim's
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architecture and internal concepts.
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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2018-11-15 18:00:04 -07:00
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Nvim is free and open source. Everybody is encouraged to contribute.
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https://github.com/neovim/neovim/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md
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2016-06-14 20:12:43 -07:00
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2017-10-20 17:33:58 -07:00
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Type |gO| to see the table of contents.
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2017-05-01 08:09:29 -07:00
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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==============================================================================
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2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
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Design goals *design-goals*
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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2018-11-15 18:00:04 -07:00
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Most important things come first (roughly). Some items conflict; this is
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intentional. A balance must be found.
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
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NVIM IS... IMPROVED *design-improved*
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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2018-09-05 15:58:10 -07:00
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The Neo bits of Nvim should make it a better Vim, without becoming a
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completely different editor.
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- In matters of taste, prefer Vim/Unix tradition. If there is no relevant
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Vim/Unix tradition, consider the "common case".
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2022-12-11 19:41:26 -07:00
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- There is no limit to the features that can be added. Select new features
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based on (1) what users ask for, (2) how much effort it takes to implement
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and (3) someone actually implementing it.
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2018-09-05 15:58:10 -07:00
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- Backwards compatibility is a feature. The RPC API in particular should
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never break.
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
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NVIM IS... WELL DOCUMENTED *design-documented*
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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- A feature that isn't documented is a useless feature. A patch for a new
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feature must include the documentation.
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2017-04-17 14:52:38 -07:00
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- Documentation should be comprehensive and understandable. Use examples.
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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- Don't make the text unnecessarily long. Less documentation means that an
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item is easier to find.
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2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
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NVIM IS... FAST AND SMALL *design-speed-size*
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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2022-12-11 19:41:26 -07:00
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Keep Nvim small and fast. This directly affects versatility and usability.
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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- Computers are becoming faster and bigger each year. Vim can grow too, but
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no faster than computers are growing. Keep Vim usable on older systems.
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- Many users start Vim from a shell very often. Startup time must be short.
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- Commands must work efficiently. The time they consume must be as small as
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possible. Useful commands may take longer.
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- Don't forget that some people use Vim over a slow connection. Minimize the
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communication overhead.
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- Vim is a component among other components. Don't turn it into a massive
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2022-12-11 19:41:26 -07:00
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application, but have it work well together with other programs
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("composability").
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
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NVIM IS... MAINTAINABLE *design-maintain*
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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- The source code should not become a mess. It should be reliable code.
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- Use comments in a useful way! Quoting the function name and argument names
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is NOT useful. Do explain what they are for.
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- Porting to another platform should be made easy, without having to change
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too much platform-independent code.
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- Use the object-oriented spirit: Put data and code together. Minimize the
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knowledge spread to other parts of the code.
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2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
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NVIM IS... NOT *design-not*
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2015-01-14 00:02:39 -07:00
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2016-06-14 20:12:43 -07:00
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Nvim is not an operating system; instead it should be composed with other
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tools or hosted as a component. Marvim once said: "Unlike Emacs, Nvim does not
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2017-04-17 14:52:38 -07:00
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include the kitchen sink... but it's good for plumbing."
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2015-01-14 00:02:39 -07:00
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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==============================================================================
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2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
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Developer guidelines *dev-guidelines*
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2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
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2017-04-17 14:52:38 -07:00
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2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
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PROVIDERS *dev-provider*
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2016-06-14 22:20:08 -07:00
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2019-08-03 18:54:06 -07:00
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A primary goal of Nvim is to allow extension of the editor without special
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knowledge in the core. Some core functions are delegated to "providers"
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implemented as external scripts.
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2016-06-14 22:20:08 -07:00
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2019-08-03 18:54:06 -07:00
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Examples:
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2016-06-14 22:20:08 -07:00
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1. In the Vim source code, clipboard logic accounts for more than 1k lines of
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C source code (ui.c), to perform two tasks that are now accomplished with
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shell commands such as xclip or pbcopy/pbpaste.
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2. Python scripting support: Vim has three files dedicated to embedding the
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Python interpreter: if_python.c, if_python3.c and if_py_both.h. Together
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these files sum about 9.5k lines of C source code. In contrast, Nvim Python
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scripting is performed by an external host process implemented in ~2k lines
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of Python.
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2023-06-22 03:44:51 -07:00
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The provider framework invokes Vimscript from C. It is composed of two
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functions in eval.c:
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2016-06-14 22:20:08 -07:00
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2023-12-28 05:49:44 -07:00
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- eval_call_provider({name}, {method}, {arguments}, {discard}): Calls
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`provider#{name}#Call` with {method} and {arguments}. If {discard} is true, any
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2020-09-01 20:22:42 -07:00
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value returned by the provider will be discarded and empty value will be
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returned.
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2023-12-28 05:49:44 -07:00
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- eval_has_provider({name}): Checks the `g:loaded_{name}_provider` variable
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2019-08-04 03:06:24 -07:00
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which must be set to 2 by the provider script to indicate that it is
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"enabled and working". Called by |has()| to check if features are available.
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2016-06-14 22:20:08 -07:00
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For example, the Python provider is implemented by the
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2019-08-03 18:54:06 -07:00
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"autoload/provider/python.vim" script, which sets `g:loaded_python_provider`
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2019-08-04 03:06:24 -07:00
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to 2 only if a valid external Python host is found. Then `has("python")`
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2019-08-03 18:54:06 -07:00
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reflects whether Python support is working.
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2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
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*provider-reload*
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2019-08-03 18:54:06 -07:00
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Sometimes a GUI or other application may want to force a provider to
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"reload". To reload a provider, undefine its "loaded" flag, then use
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2022-11-22 10:41:00 -07:00
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|:runtime| to reload it: >vim
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2019-08-03 18:54:06 -07:00
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:unlet g:loaded_clipboard_provider
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:runtime autoload/provider/clipboard.vim
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2016-06-14 22:20:08 -07:00
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2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
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DOCUMENTATION *dev-doc*
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2017-03-14 16:12:21 -07:00
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2021-08-27 03:59:13 -07:00
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- "Just say it". Avoid mushy, colloquial phrasing in all documentation
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(docstrings, user manual, website materials, newsletters, …). Don't mince
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words. Personality and flavor, used sparingly, are welcome--but in general,
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optimize for the reader's time and energy: be "precise yet concise".
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- Prefer the active voice: "Foo does X", not "X is done by Foo".
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2023-06-19 02:24:44 -07:00
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- "The words you choose are an essential part of the user experience."
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2023-07-12 10:27:14 -07:00
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https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/writing
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2023-06-19 02:24:44 -07:00
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- "...without being overly colloquial or frivolous."
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https://developers.google.com/style/tone
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- Write docstrings (as opposed to inline comments) with present tense ("Gets"),
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not imperative ("Get"). This tends to reduce ambiguity and improve clarity
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by describing "What" instead of "How". >
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2024-09-01 13:01:24 -07:00
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✅ OK:
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2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
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/// Gets a highlight definition.
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2024-09-01 13:01:24 -07:00
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❌ NO:
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2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
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/// Get a highlight definition.
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- Avoid starting docstrings with "The" or "A" unless needed to avoid
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ambiguity. This is a visual aid and reduces noise. >
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2024-09-01 13:01:24 -07:00
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✅ OK:
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2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
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/// @param dirname Path fragment before `pend`
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2024-09-01 13:01:24 -07:00
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❌ NO:
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2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
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/// @param dirname The path fragment before `pend`
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2021-08-27 03:59:13 -07:00
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- Vim differences:
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- Do not prefix help tags with "nvim-". Use |vim_diff.txt| to catalog
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differences from Vim; no other distinction is necessary.
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- If a Vim feature is removed, delete its help section and move its tag to
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|vim_diff.txt|.
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- Mention deprecated features in |deprecated.txt| and delete their old doc.
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2017-03-14 16:12:21 -07:00
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- Use consistent language.
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2021-08-27 03:59:13 -07:00
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- "terminal" in a help tag always means "the embedded terminal emulator",
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not "the user host terminal".
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2017-03-14 16:12:21 -07:00
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- Use "tui-" to prefix help tags related to the host terminal, and "TUI"
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in prose if possible.
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2024-05-23 02:40:51 -07:00
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- Rough guidelines on where Lua documentation should end up:
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- Nvim API functions `vim.api.nvim_*` should be in `api.txt`.
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- If the module is big and not relevant to generic and lower-level Lua
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functionality, then it's a strong candidate for separation. Example:
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`treesitter.txt`
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- Otherwise, add them to `lua.txt`
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2016-06-14 22:20:08 -07:00
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2022-09-24 17:20:47 -07:00
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Documentation format ~
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For Nvim-owned docs, use the following strict subset of "vimdoc" to ensure
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the help doc renders nicely in other formats (such as HTML:
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https://neovim.io/doc/user ).
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Strict "vimdoc" subset:
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2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
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- Use lists (like this!) prefixed with "-" or "•", for adjacent lines that you
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don't want to auto-wrap. Lists are always rendered with "flow" layout
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(soft-wrapped) instead of preformatted (hard-wrapped) layout common in
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legacy :help docs.
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2022-10-09 09:19:43 -07:00
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- Limitation: currently the parser https://github.com/neovim/tree-sitter-vimdoc
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does not understand numbered listitems, so use a bullet symbol (- or •)
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2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
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before numbered items, e.g. "• 1." instead of "1.".
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- Separate blocks (paragraphs) of content by a blank line.
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2022-09-24 17:20:47 -07:00
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- Do not use indentation in random places—that prevents the page from using
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"flow" layout. If you need a preformatted section, put it in
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a |help-codeblock| starting with ">".
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2024-02-27 08:20:32 -07:00
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- Parameters and fields are documented as `{foo}`.
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- Optional parameters and fields are documented as `{foo}?`.
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2022-09-24 17:20:47 -07:00
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2019-10-27 15:05:59 -07:00
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C docstrings ~
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2024-03-08 05:25:18 -07:00
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Nvim API documentation lives in the source code, as docstrings (doc
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2019-10-27 15:05:59 -07:00
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comments) on the function definitions. The |api| :help is generated
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from the docstrings defined in src/nvim/api/*.c.
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Docstring format:
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- Lines start with `///`
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- Special tokens start with `@` followed by the token name:
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2024-02-27 08:20:32 -07:00
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`@note`, `@param`, `@return`
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- Markdown is supported.
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2024-03-08 05:25:18 -07:00
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- Tags are written as `[tag]()`.
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- References are written as `[tag]`
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2023-09-13 06:38:28 -07:00
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- Use ``` for code samples.
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2022-11-23 04:31:49 -07:00
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Code samples can be annotated as `vim` or `lua`
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2019-10-27 15:05:59 -07:00
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Example: the help for |nvim_open_win()| is generated from a docstring defined
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2021-10-04 19:10:07 -07:00
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in src/nvim/api/win_config.c like this: >
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2019-10-27 15:05:59 -07:00
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/// Opens a new window.
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/// ...
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///
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/// Example (Lua): window-relative float
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2023-09-13 06:38:28 -07:00
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///
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/// ```lua
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/// vim.api.nvim_open_win(0, false, {
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/// relative='win',
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/// row=3,
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/// col=3,
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/// width=12,
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/// height=3,
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/// })
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/// ```
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2019-10-27 15:05:59 -07:00
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///
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/// @param buffer Buffer to display
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/// @param enter Enter the window
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/// @param config Map defining the window configuration. Keys:
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/// - relative: Sets the window layout, relative to:
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/// - "editor" The global editor grid.
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/// - "win" Window given by the `win` field.
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/// - "cursor" Cursor position in current window.
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/// ...
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/// @param[out] err Error details, if any
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///
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/// @return Window handle, or 0 on error
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Lua docstrings ~
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2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
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*dev-lua-doc*
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2019-10-27 15:05:59 -07:00
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Lua documentation lives in the source code, as docstrings on the function
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definitions. The |lua-vim| :help is generated from the docstrings.
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Docstring format:
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2023-09-15 00:43:48 -07:00
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- Use LuaCATS annotations: https://luals.github.io/wiki/annotations/
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2024-02-27 08:20:32 -07:00
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- Markdown is supported.
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2024-03-08 05:25:18 -07:00
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- Tags are written as `[tag]()`.
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- References are written as `[tag]`
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2023-09-14 06:23:01 -07:00
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- Use ``` for code samples.
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2022-11-23 04:31:49 -07:00
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Code samples can be annotated as `vim` or `lua`
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2024-10-04 02:13:31 -07:00
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- Use `@since <api-level>` to note the |api-level| when the function became
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"stable". If `<api-level>` is greater than the current stable release (or
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0), it is marked as "experimental".
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- See scripts/util.lua for the mapping of api-level to Nvim version.
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2023-07-18 07:42:30 -07:00
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- Use `@nodoc` to prevent documentation generation.
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2024-02-27 08:20:32 -07:00
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- Use `@inlinedoc` to inline `@class` blocks into `@param` blocks.
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E.g. >lua
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--- Object with fields:
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--- @class myOpts
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--- @inlinedoc
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---
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--- Documentation for some field
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--- @field somefield? integer
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--- @param opts? myOpts
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function foo(opts)
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end
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<
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Will be rendered as: >vimdoc
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foo({opts})
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Parameters:
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- {opts}? (table) Object with the fields:
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- {somefield}? (integer) Documentation
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|
|
for some field
|
|
|
|
<
|
2024-10-04 02:13:31 -07:00
|
|
|
- Files declared as `@meta` are only used for typing and documentation (similar to "*.d.ts" typescript files).
|
2019-10-27 15:05:59 -07:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Example: the help for |vim.paste()| is generated from a docstring decorating
|
2022-03-06 06:16:21 -07:00
|
|
|
vim.paste in runtime/lua/vim/_editor.lua like this: >
|
2019-10-27 15:05:59 -07:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
--- Paste handler, invoked by |nvim_paste()| when a conforming UI
|
|
|
|
--- (such as the |TUI|) pastes text into the editor.
|
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
--- Example: To remove ANSI color codes when pasting:
|
2023-09-14 06:23:01 -07:00
|
|
|
---
|
|
|
|
--- ```lua
|
2019-10-27 15:05:59 -07:00
|
|
|
--- vim.paste = (function()
|
|
|
|
--- local overridden = vim.paste
|
|
|
|
--- ...
|
|
|
|
--- end)()
|
2023-09-14 06:23:01 -07:00
|
|
|
--- ```
|
2019-10-27 15:05:59 -07:00
|
|
|
---
|
2024-10-04 02:13:31 -07:00
|
|
|
--- @since 12
|
2023-09-27 21:57:22 -07:00
|
|
|
--- @see |paste|
|
2019-10-27 15:05:59 -07:00
|
|
|
---
|
2023-09-27 21:57:22 -07:00
|
|
|
--- @param lines ...
|
|
|
|
--- @param phase ...
|
|
|
|
--- @returns false if client should cancel the paste.
|
2019-10-27 15:05:59 -07:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
|
|
|
LUA STDLIB DESIGN GUIDELINES *dev-lua*
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See also |dev-naming|.
|
2019-10-27 15:05:59 -07:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Keep the core Lua modules |lua-stdlib| simple. Avoid elaborate OOP or
|
2022-12-11 19:41:26 -07:00
|
|
|
pseudo-OOP designs. Plugin authors just want functions to call, not a big,
|
|
|
|
fancy inheritance hierarchy.
|
|
|
|
- Avoid requiring or returning special objects in the Nvim stdlib. Plain
|
|
|
|
tables or values are easier to serialize, easier to construct from literals,
|
|
|
|
easier to inspect and print, and inherently compatible with all Lua plugins.
|
|
|
|
(This guideline doesn't apply to opaque, non-data objects like `vim.cmd`.)
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
- stdlib functions should follow these common patterns:
|
2024-09-24 04:46:50 -07:00
|
|
|
- Return |lua-result-or-message| (`any|nil,nil|string`) to communicate
|
|
|
|
failure, or choose from |dev-error-patterns| when appropriate.
|
|
|
|
- Accept iterable instead of only table.
|
|
|
|
- Note: in some cases iterable doesn't make sense, e.g. spair() sorts the
|
|
|
|
input by definition, so there is no reason for it to accept an iterable,
|
|
|
|
because the input needs to be "reified"; it can't operate on a "stream".
|
|
|
|
- Return an iterable (generator) instead of table, if possible.
|
|
|
|
- Mimic the pairs() or ipairs() interface if the function is intended for
|
|
|
|
use in a |for-in| loop.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*dev-error-patterns*
|
|
|
|
To communicate failure to a consumer, choose from these patterns (in order of
|
|
|
|
preference):
|
|
|
|
1. `retval, errmsg`
|
|
|
|
- When failure is normal, or when it is practical for the consumer to
|
|
|
|
continue (fallback) in some other way. See |lua-result-or-message|.
|
|
|
|
2. optional result, no errormsg
|
|
|
|
- Special case of 1. When there is only a single case of "doesn't exist"
|
|
|
|
(e.g. cache lookup, dict lookup).
|
|
|
|
3. `error("no luck")`
|
|
|
|
- For invalid state ("must not happen"), when failure is exceptional, or at
|
|
|
|
a low level where the consumers are unlikely to handle it in a meaningful
|
|
|
|
way. Advantage is that propagation happens for free and it's harder to
|
|
|
|
accidentally swallow errors. (E.g. using
|
|
|
|
`uv_handle/pipe:write()` without checking return values is common.)
|
|
|
|
4. `on_error` parameter
|
|
|
|
- For async and "visitors" traversing a graph, where many errors may be
|
|
|
|
collected while work continues.
|
|
|
|
5. `vim.notify` (sometimes with optional `opts.silent` (async, visitors ^))
|
|
|
|
- High-level / application-level messages. End-user invokes these directly.
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
|
2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
|
|
|
*dev-patterns*
|
2023-06-19 02:24:44 -07:00
|
|
|
Interface conventions ~
|
|
|
|
|
2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
|
|
|
Where possible, these patterns apply to _both_ Lua and the API:
|
|
|
|
|
2023-06-19 02:24:44 -07:00
|
|
|
- When accepting a buffer id, etc., 0 means "current buffer", nil means "all
|
|
|
|
buffers". Likewise for window id, tabpage id, etc.
|
|
|
|
- Examples: |vim.lsp.codelens.clear()| |vim.diagnostic.enable()|
|
2024-09-01 13:01:24 -07:00
|
|
|
- Any function signature that accepts a callback (example: |table.foreach()|)
|
|
|
|
should place it as the LAST parameter (after opts), if possible (or ALWAYS
|
|
|
|
for "continuation callbacks"—functions called exactly once).
|
|
|
|
- Improves readability by placing the less "noisy" arguments near the start.
|
|
|
|
- Consistent with luv.
|
|
|
|
- Useful for future async lib which transforms functions of the form
|
|
|
|
`function(<args>, cb(<ret)>))` => `function(<args>) -> <ret>`.
|
|
|
|
- Example: >lua
|
|
|
|
-- ✅ OK:
|
|
|
|
filter(…, opts, function() … end)
|
|
|
|
-- ❌ NO:
|
|
|
|
filter(function() … end, …, opts)
|
|
|
|
-- ❌ NO:
|
|
|
|
filter(…, function() … end, opts)
|
2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
|
|
|
- "Enable" ("toggle") interface and behavior:
|
|
|
|
- `enable(…, nil)` and `enable(…, {buf=nil})` are synonyms and control the
|
|
|
|
the "global" enablement of a feature.
|
|
|
|
- `is_enabled(nil)` and `is_enabled({buf=nil})`, likewise, query the
|
|
|
|
global state of the feature.
|
|
|
|
- `enable(…, {buf: number})` sets a buffer-local "enable" flag.
|
|
|
|
- `is_enabled({buf: number})`, likewise, queries the buffer-local state of
|
|
|
|
the feature.
|
|
|
|
- See |vim.lsp.inlay_hint.enable()| and |vim.lsp.inlay_hint.is_enabled()|
|
|
|
|
for a reference implementation of these "best practices".
|
|
|
|
- NOTE: open questions: https://github.com/neovim/neovim/issues/28603
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
API DESIGN GUIDELINES *dev-api*
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See also |dev-naming|.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- When adding an API, check the following:
|
|
|
|
- What precedents did you draw from? How does your solution compare to them?
|
|
|
|
- Does your new API allow future expansion? How? Or why not?
|
|
|
|
- Is the new API similar to existing APIs? Do we need to deprecate the old ones?
|
|
|
|
- Did you cross-reference related concepts in the docs?
|
2022-12-11 19:41:26 -07:00
|
|
|
- Avoid "mutually exclusive" parameters--via constraints or limitations, if
|
|
|
|
necessary. For example nvim_create_autocmd() has mutually exclusive
|
|
|
|
"callback" and "command" args; but the "command" arg could be eliminated by
|
|
|
|
simply not supporting Vimscript function names, and treating a string
|
|
|
|
"callback" arg as an Ex command (which can call Vimscript functions). The
|
|
|
|
"buffer" arg could also be eliminated by treating a number "pattern" as
|
|
|
|
a buffer number.
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
- Avoid functions that depend on cursor position, current buffer, etc. Instead
|
|
|
|
the function should take a position parameter, buffer parameter, etc.
|
2022-12-11 19:41:26 -07:00
|
|
|
|
2023-09-20 04:15:23 -07:00
|
|
|
Where things go ~
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- API (libnvim/RPC): exposes low-level internals, or fundamental things (such
|
|
|
|
as `nvim_exec_lua()`) needed by clients or C consumers.
|
|
|
|
- Lua stdlib = high-level functionality that builds on top of the API.
|
|
|
|
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
NAMING GUIDELINES *dev-naming*
|
2022-10-09 05:21:52 -07:00
|
|
|
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
Naming is exceedingly important: the name of a thing is the primary interface
|
|
|
|
for uses it, discusses it, searches for it, shares it... Consistent
|
|
|
|
naming in the stdlib, API, and UI helps both users and developers discover and
|
|
|
|
intuitively understand related concepts ("families"), and reduces cognitive
|
|
|
|
burden. Discoverability encourages code re-use and likewise avoids redundant,
|
|
|
|
overlapping mechanisms, which reduces code surface-area, and thereby minimizes
|
|
|
|
bugs...
|
2016-09-16 21:30:36 -07:00
|
|
|
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
Naming conventions ~
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In general, look for precedent when choosing a name, that is, look at existing
|
|
|
|
(non-deprecated) functions. In particular, see below...
|
|
|
|
|
2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
|
|
|
*dev-name-common*
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
Use existing common {verb} names (actions) if possible:
|
|
|
|
- add: Appends or inserts into a collection
|
|
|
|
- attach: Listens to something to get events from it (TODO: rename to "on"?)
|
|
|
|
- call: Calls a function
|
2024-05-06 04:42:30 -07:00
|
|
|
- cancel: Cancels or dismisses an event or interaction, typically
|
|
|
|
user-initiated and without error. (Compare "abort", which
|
|
|
|
cancels and signals error/failure.)
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
- clear: Clears state but does not destroy the container
|
|
|
|
- create: Creates a new (non-trivial) thing (TODO: rename to "def"?)
|
|
|
|
- del: Deletes a thing (or group of things)
|
|
|
|
- detach: Dispose attached listener (TODO: rename to "un"?)
|
2024-04-18 07:57:58 -07:00
|
|
|
- enable: Enables/disables functionality. Signature should be
|
|
|
|
`enable(enable?:boolean, filter?:table)`.
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
- eval: Evaluates an expression
|
2024-04-20 14:21:08 -07:00
|
|
|
- exec: Executes code, may return a result
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
- fmt: Formats
|
|
|
|
- get: Gets things (often by a query)
|
|
|
|
- inspect: Presents a high-level, often interactive, view
|
2024-04-15 09:35:59 -07:00
|
|
|
- is_enabled: Checks if functionality is enabled.
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
- open: Opens something (a buffer, window, …)
|
|
|
|
- parse: Parses something into a structured form
|
|
|
|
- set: Sets a thing (or group of things)
|
2024-05-06 04:42:30 -07:00
|
|
|
- start: Spin up a long-lived process. Prefer "enable" except when
|
|
|
|
"start" is obviously more appropriate.
|
|
|
|
- stop: Inverse of "start". Teardown a long-lived process.
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
- try_{verb}: Best-effort operation, failure returns null or error obj
|
2022-10-09 05:21:52 -07:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Do NOT use these deprecated verbs:
|
2024-04-07 15:41:41 -07:00
|
|
|
- disable: Prefer `enable(enable: boolean)`.
|
2024-05-06 04:42:30 -07:00
|
|
|
- exit: Prefer "cancel" (or "stop" if appropriate).
|
2024-04-07 15:41:41 -07:00
|
|
|
- is_disabled: Prefer `is_enabled()`.
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
- list: Redundant with "get"
|
|
|
|
- notify: Redundant with "print", "echo"
|
2024-04-07 15:41:41 -07:00
|
|
|
- show: Redundant with "print", "echo"
|
|
|
|
- toggle: Prefer `enable(not is_enabled())`.
|
2022-10-09 05:21:52 -07:00
|
|
|
|
2024-04-20 14:21:08 -07:00
|
|
|
Use consistent names for {topic} in API functions: buffer is called "buf"
|
|
|
|
everywhere, not "buffer" in some places and "buf" in others.
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
- buf: Buffer
|
|
|
|
- chan: |channel|
|
|
|
|
- cmd: Command
|
|
|
|
- cmdline: Command-line UI or input
|
|
|
|
- fn: Function
|
|
|
|
- hl: Highlight
|
|
|
|
- pos: Position
|
|
|
|
- proc: System process
|
|
|
|
- tabpage: Tabpage
|
|
|
|
- win: Window
|
2022-10-09 05:21:52 -07:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Do NOT use these deprecated nouns:
|
2024-04-20 14:21:08 -07:00
|
|
|
- buffer Use "buf" instead
|
2023-06-19 02:24:44 -07:00
|
|
|
- callback Use on_foo instead
|
2024-04-20 14:21:08 -07:00
|
|
|
- command Use "cmd" instead
|
|
|
|
- window Use "win" instead
|
2016-09-16 21:30:36 -07:00
|
|
|
|
2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
|
|
|
*dev-name-events*
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
Use the "on_" prefix to name event-handling callbacks and also the interface for
|
|
|
|
"registering" such handlers (on_key). The dual nature is acceptable to avoid
|
|
|
|
a confused collection of naming conventions for these related concepts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Editor |events| (autocommands) are historically named like: >
|
|
|
|
{Noun}{Event}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Use this format to name API (RPC) events: >
|
|
|
|
nvim_{noun}_{event-name}_event
|
2016-09-16 21:30:36 -07:00
|
|
|
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
Example: >
|
|
|
|
nvim_buf_changedtick_event
|
|
|
|
<
|
2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
|
|
|
*dev-api-name*
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
Use this format to name new RPC |API| functions: >
|
2024-04-20 14:21:08 -07:00
|
|
|
nvim_{topic}_{verb}_{arbitrary-qualifiers}
|
2016-09-16 21:30:36 -07:00
|
|
|
|
2024-04-20 14:21:08 -07:00
|
|
|
Do not add new nvim_buf/nvim_win/nvim_tabpage APIs, unless you are certain the
|
|
|
|
concept will NEVER be applied to more than one "scope". That is, {topic}
|
|
|
|
should be the TOPIC ("ns", "extmark", "option", …) that acts on the scope(s)
|
|
|
|
(buf/win/tabpage/global), it should NOT be the scope. Instead the scope should
|
|
|
|
be a parameter (typically manifest as mutually-exclusive buf/win/… flags like
|
|
|
|
|nvim_get_option_value()|, or less commonly as a `scope: string` field like
|
|
|
|
|nvim_get_option_info2()|).
|
2017-12-27 11:30:23 -07:00
|
|
|
|
2022-12-14 11:58:18 -07:00
|
|
|
- Example: `nvim_get_keymap('v')` operates in a global context (first
|
|
|
|
parameter is not a Buffer). The "get" verb indicates that it gets anything
|
|
|
|
matching the given filter parameter. A "list" verb is unnecessary because
|
|
|
|
`nvim_get_keymap('')` (empty filter) returns all items.
|
|
|
|
- Example: `nvim_buf_del_mark` acts on a `Buffer` object (the first parameter)
|
|
|
|
and uses the "del" {verb}.
|
2017-12-27 11:30:23 -07:00
|
|
|
|
2014-07-10 21:05:51 -07:00
|
|
|
|
2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
|
|
|
INTERFACE PATTERNS *dev-api-patterns*
|
2024-04-20 14:21:08 -07:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prefer adding a single `nvim_{topic}_{verb}_…` interface for a given topic.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Example: >
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
nvim_ns_add(
|
|
|
|
ns_id: int,
|
|
|
|
filter: {
|
|
|
|
handle: integer (buf/win/tabpage id)
|
|
|
|
scope: "global" | "win" | "buf" | "tabpage"
|
|
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
): { ok: boolean }
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
nvim_ns_get(
|
|
|
|
ns_id: int,
|
|
|
|
filter: {
|
|
|
|
handle: integer (buf/win/tabpage id)
|
|
|
|
scope: "global" | "win" | "buf" | "tabpage"
|
|
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
): { ids: int[] }
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
nvim_ns_del(
|
|
|
|
ns_id: int,
|
|
|
|
filter: {
|
|
|
|
handle: integer (buf/win/tabpage id)
|
|
|
|
scope: "global" | "win" | "buf" | "tabpage"
|
|
|
|
}
|
|
|
|
): { ok: boolean }
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anti-Example:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Creating separate `nvim_xx`, `nvim_buf_xx`, `nvim_win_xx`, and
|
|
|
|
`nvim_tabpage_xx`, functions all for the same `xx` topic, requires 4x the
|
|
|
|
amount of documentation, tests, boilerplate, and interfaces, which users must
|
|
|
|
comprehend, maintainers must maintain, etc. Thus the following is NOT
|
|
|
|
recommended (compare these 12(!) functions to the above 3 functions): >
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
nvim_add_ns(…)
|
|
|
|
nvim_buf_add_ns(…)
|
|
|
|
nvim_win_add_ns(…)
|
|
|
|
nvim_tabpage_add_ns(…)
|
|
|
|
nvim_del_ns(…)
|
|
|
|
nvim_buf_del_ns(…)
|
|
|
|
nvim_win_del_ns(…)
|
|
|
|
nvim_tabpage_del_ns(…)
|
|
|
|
nvim_get_ns(…)
|
|
|
|
nvim_buf_get_ns(…)
|
|
|
|
nvim_win_get_ns(…)
|
|
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nvim_tabpage_get_ns(…)
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2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
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API-CLIENT *dev-api-client*
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*api-client*
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API clients wrap the Nvim |API| to provide idiomatic "SDKs" for their
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respective platforms (see |jargon|). You can build a new API client for your
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favorite platform or programming language.
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List of API clients:
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https://github.com/neovim/neovim/wiki/Related-projects#api-clients
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*node-client* *pynvim*
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These clients can be considered the "reference implementation" for API clients:
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- https://github.com/neovim/node-client
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- https://github.com/neovim/pynvim
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2018-08-04 18:17:08 -07:00
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Standard Features ~
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- API clients exist to hide msgpack-rpc details. The wrappers can be
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automatically generated by reading the |api-metadata| from Nvim. |api-mapping|
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- Clients should call |nvim_set_client_info()| after connecting, so users and
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plugins can detect the client by handling the |ChanInfo| event. This avoids
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the need for special variables or other client hints.
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2018-12-01 08:44:36 -07:00
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- Clients should handle |nvim_error_event| notifications, which will be sent
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if an async request to nvim was rejected or caused an error.
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2018-08-04 18:17:08 -07:00
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2017-08-19 05:13:14 -07:00
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Package Naming ~
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2017-08-19 05:13:14 -07:00
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API client packages should NOT be named something ambiguous like "neovim" or
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"python-client". Use "nvim" as a prefix/suffix to some other identifier
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following ecosystem conventions.
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For example, Python packages tend to have "py" in the name, so "pynvim" is
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a good name: it's idiomatic and unambiguous. If the package is named "neovim",
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it confuses users, and complicates documentation and discussions.
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Examples of API-client package names:
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- ✅ OK: nvim-racket
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- ✅ OK: pynvim
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- ❌ NO: python-client
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- ❌ NO: neovim_
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API client implementation guidelines ~
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- Separate the transport layer from the rest of the library. |rpc-connecting|
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- Use a MessagePack library that implements at least version 5 of the
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MessagePack spec, which supports the BIN and EXT types used by Nvim.
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- Use a single-threaded event loop library/pattern.
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- Use a fiber/coroutine library for the language being used for implementing
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a client. These greatly simplify concurrency and allow the library to
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expose a blocking API on top of a non-blocking event loop without the
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complexity that comes with preemptive multitasking.
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- Don't assume anything about the order of responses to RPC requests.
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- Clients should expect requests, which must be handled immediately because
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Nvim is blocked while waiting for the client response.
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- Clients should expect notifications, but these can be handled "ASAP" (rather
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than immediately) because they won't block Nvim.
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- For C/C++ projects, consider libmpack instead of the msgpack.org library.
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https://github.com/libmpack/libmpack/
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libmpack is small (no dependencies, can inline into your C/C++ project) and
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efficient (no allocations). It also implements msgpack-RPC, the protocol
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required by Nvim.
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https://github.com/msgpack-rpc/msgpack-rpc
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2019-08-25 16:00:58 -07:00
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2024-05-02 06:57:21 -07:00
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EXTERNAL UI *dev-ui*
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External UIs should be aware of the |api-contract|. In particular, future
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versions of Nvim may add new items to existing events. The API is strongly
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backwards-compatible, but clients must not break if new (optional) fields are
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added to existing events.
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2017-04-17 14:52:38 -07:00
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2018-08-04 18:17:08 -07:00
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Standard Features ~
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2017-08-19 05:13:14 -07:00
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External UIs are expected to implement these common features:
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- Call |nvim_set_client_info()| after connecting, so users and plugins can
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detect the UI by handling the |ChanInfo| event. This avoids the need for
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special variables and UI-specific config files (gvimrc, macvimrc, …).
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2018-06-27 15:48:17 -07:00
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- Cursor style (shape, color) should conform to the 'guicursor' properties
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delivered with the mode_info_set UI event.
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- Send the ALT/META ("Option" on macOS) key as a |<M-| chord.
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- Send the "super" key (Windows key, Apple key) as a |<D-| chord.
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- Avoid mappings that conflict with the Nvim keymap-space; GUIs have many new
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chords (<C-,> <C-Enter> <C-S-x> <D-x>) and patterns ("shift shift") that do
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not potentially conflict with Nvim defaults, plugins, etc.
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- Consider the "option_set" |ui-global| event as a hint for other GUI
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behaviors. Various UI-related options ('guifont', 'ambiwidth', …) are
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published in this event. See also "mouse_on", "mouse_off".
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- UIs generally should NOT set |$NVIM_APPNAME| (unless explicitly requested by
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the user).
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2024-04-30 04:30:21 -07:00
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- Support the text decorations/attributes given by |ui-event-hl_attr_define|.
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The "url" attr should be presented as a clickable hyperlink.
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2017-04-17 14:52:38 -07:00
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2022-10-09 05:21:52 -07:00
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vim:tw=78:ts=8:sw=4:et:ft=help:norl:
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