Editing Buffers

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|created=August 30, 2010
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A buffer is an area of Vim's memory used to hold text read from a file. In addition, an empty buffer with no associated file can be created to allow the entry of text.

The <code>:e ''filename''</code> command can edit an existing file or a new file. When a file is edited, the file is read into a new buffer that holds a temporary copy of the file (or an empty buffer for a new file). Editing makes changes to the buffer. To save a file, the original file is replaced by writing the buffer to disk.

The <code>:new</code> command creates a new window displaying the contents of a new (empty) buffer.

To list all buffers use the <code>:ls</code> command which is equivalent to <code>:buffers</code>. Each buffer is assigned a number that is displayed in the first column.

The second column describes the state of the buffer. The different states are explained at {{help|:ls}}. The third column is the file name associated with the buffer.

==Overview==
[[File:tabs-windows-buffers.png|frame|left]]
{{clear}}
The image shows a session of Vim created with these steps:
{| class="cleartable"
| <code>gvim scan.py</code> || start GUI Vim editing file scan.py in first tab
|-
| <code>:tabe example.txt</code> || edit file example.txt in a new tab
|-
| <code>:vimgrep /0$/ example.txt</code> || search for lines ending with 0 in file example.txt
|-
| <code>:cwin</code> || open quickfix window (window 4)
|-
| <code>Ctrl-W w</code> || move cursor to other window
|-
| <code>:vsp</code> || split window vertically (windows 2 and 3 showing example.txt)
|-
| <code>:help quickfix</code> || open help (window 1)
|-
| (commands not shown) || scroll and size each window
|}

In the image, the label for the current tab shows <code>4 example.txt</code> because there are four windows in the tab, and the cursor is in window&nbsp;3 which shows the buffer for file <code>example.txt</code>. This label results from the default setting of <code>'guitablabel'</code>; see [[Show tab number in your tab line|here]] for an example of changing the default.

==Working with buffers==
The commands <code>:bnext</code> and <code>:bprev</code> allow navigating between buffers. They can be shortened to <code>:bn</code> and <code>:bp</code> respectively.

The <code>:b</code> command accepts either a number or a string argument specifying which buffer to display. The buffers are numbered as they are created and can be viewed in a list using <code>:ls</code> or <code>:buffers</code>. Supplying a number after <code>:b</code> displays that buffer (<code>:b12</code> displays buffer 12).

If a string is supplied, the buffer with a matching file name is displayed. You do not need to write the full name of the file as the best match will be used. After typing the first couple of characters, you can press Tab for completion of the name. For example, if a buffer is named example.txt, typing <code>:b ex</code> and pressing Enter will switch to the example.txt buffer, provided no other buffer matches "ex". If the command fails (because more than one buffer matches), press <code>:</code> then Up arrow to recall the command, then press Tab to choose the wanted name.

==Jumping around==
Vim keeps a history of all the jumps you make in your buffers. You can go to any place you jumped from with the Ctrl-O and Ctrl-I command (normal mode). This also works across buffers.

To toggle between the current and the last buffer use the Ctrl-^ (normal mode) command (on most keyboards, hold down Ctrl and press the 6 key on the main keyboard).

==Splits==
You can use <code>:split</code> and <code>:vsplit</code> to divide the current area into two windows with the same buffer. If you supply an argument then one of the new windows is created with the argument as a file name used for the buffer in the new window

To gain more control over how the splits are created, you can combine the <code>:vertical</code>, <code>:leftabove</code> and <code>:rightbelow</code> commands. Also of use are the the <code>:sfind</code> and <code>:sb</code> commands.

===Examples===
;<code>:vertical sb 3</code>
:Create a vertical split and show buffer number 3 in the window to the left.

;<code>:vertical rightbelow sfind file.txt</code>
:Create a vertical split and read file.txt into the buffer in the right window.

;<code>:rightbelow sfind file.txt</code>
:Create a horizontal split and read file.txt into the buffer in the bottom window.

===Navigating splits===
Use Ctrl-W followed by one of the <code>hjkl</code> movement keys.

==Managing buffers==
Buffers are ''the'' way to manage multiple files within a project in Vim. If you are managing multiple projects, consider opening a separate Vim for each project.

Here are the essential buffer commands:
{| class="cleartable"
| <code>:ls</code> || List the current buffers (including their numbers).
|-
| <code>:b <number></code> || Display the buffer with the given number.
|-
| <code>:b <partial></code> || Display the first buffer matching the partial name (or press Tab for name completion).
|-
| <code>:bd</code> || Delete the current buffer; will fail if unsaved (nothing is deleted).
|-
| <code>:bd!</code> || Delete the current buffer; will discard any changes (changes are lost).
|}

There are many plugins for managing buffers, but it is often easier to just use the above commands. Enter <code>:ls</code> to list the buffers, then (while the list is still displayed), enter a command like <code>:b12</code> to display buffer 12 (no space is needed).

==See also==
*[[Easier buffer switching]]
*[[Vim buffer FAQ]]

==Comments==