vim cmap lhs only at the beginning

Question

I have a mapping :cnoremap ch call ShowHistoryMatching

The problem is that the ch characters expand to the right sentence in any case they are typed, no matter if at the beginning or later in the cmap input.

The problem is when I try to search for words in vim using / or ? e.g. for /cache - it will be expanded using the mapping above.

How can I set the mapping ch to be extended only when it occurs at the beginning of the command?

how about make use of `normal mode map` instead? `:nnoremap ch :call YourFunc()` — Kent, Feb 08 '16 at 21:49
It might be a working approach to bypass the problem. Thank you. — Jakub, Feb 08 '16 at 22:41

score 2 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:23

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cmap's are notoriously tricky because they often execute in the wrong context. Some better alternatives:

Use a normal mapping e.g. nnoremap <leader>ch :call ShowHistoryMatching()<cr>
Create a command e.g. command Ch call ShowHistoryMatching()
Use a the cmdalias.vim plugin
Use a more clever abbreviation as described in vim change :x function to delete buffer instead of save & quit post. Similar technique to cmdailias.vim.

Personally I would just create a new command.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:23

Community

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answered Feb 08 '16 at 22:46

Peter Rincker

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You showed approaches for my issue. I read about 3rd and 4th now and might read later. I'll stay with 1st approach for now and if it will be annoying I'll switch to the others. Thank you. – Jakub Feb 08 '16 at 23:02
I use the command solution combined with as found here: https://stackoverflow.com/a/3213800/428399 – Jakub Feb 09 '16 at 08:24

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 09 '16 at 04:30

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You can use the getcmdpos() function to determine if you're at the beginning of the line or somewhere else. This technique can replace a built-in command using an abbreviation or you can adapt it for use in a mapping, possibly with an <expr> mapping.

answered Feb 09 '16 at 04:30

Ben

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Interesting, thank you. I decided to use the command solution combined with as found here: stackoverflow.com/a/3213800/428399 – Jakub Feb 09 '16 at 08:25

vim cmap lhs only at the beginning

2 Answers2