*pi_netrw.txt* For Vim version 7.0. Last change: 2006 May 02 NETRW REFERENCE MANUAL by Charles E. Campbell, Jr. *dav* *http* *network* *rcp* *scp* *fetch* *netrw* *Nread* *rsync* *sftp* *ftp* *netrw.vim* *Nwrite* *netrw-file* ============================================================================== 0. Contents *netrw-contents* 1. Starting With Netrw..................................|netrw-start| 2. Netrw Reference......................................|netrw-ref| CONTROLLING EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS..................|netrw-externapp| READING............................................|netrw-read| WRITING............................................|netrw-write| DIRECTORY LISTING..................................|netrw-dirlist| CHANGING THE USERID AND PASSWORD...................|netrw-chgup| VARIABLES..........................................|netrw-variables| PATHS..............................................|netrw-path| 3. Network-Oriented File Transfer.......................|netrw-xfer| NETRC..............................................|netrw-netrc| PASSWORD...........................................|netrw-passwd| 4. Activation...........................................|netrw-activate| 5. Transparent File Transfer............................|netrw-transparent| 6. Ex Commands..........................................|netrw-ex| 7. Variables and Options................................|netrw-var| 8. Directory Browsing...................................|netrw-browse| {{{1 Maps...............................................|netrw-maps| Exploring..........................................|netrw-explore-cmds| Quick Reference Commands Table.....................|netrw-browse-cmds| Netrw Browser Variables............................|netrw-browse-var| Introduction To Directory Browsing.................|netrw-browse-intro| Netrw Browsing And Option Incompatibilities........|netrw-incompatible| Directory Exploring Commands.......................|netrw-explore| Refreshing The Listing.............................|netrw-ctrl-l| Going Up...........................................|netrw--| Browsing...........................................|netrw-cr| Obtaining A File...................................|netrw-O| Thin, Long, and Wide Listings......................|netrw-i| Making A New Directory.............................|netrw-d| Deleting Files Or Directories......................|netrw-D| Renaming Files Or Directories......................|netrw-move| Hiding Files Or Directories........................|netrw-a| Edit File Or Directory Hiding List.................|netrw-ctrl-h| Browsing With A Horizontally Split Window..........|netrw-o| Preview Window.....................................|netrw-p| Selecting Sorting Style............................|netrw-s| Editing The Sorting Sequence.......................|netrw-S| Reversing Sorting Order............................|netrw-r| Changing To A Predecessor Directory................|netrw-u| Changing To A Successor Directory..................|netrw-U| Browsing With A Vertically Split Window............|netrw-v| Customizing Browsing With A User Function..........|netrw-x| Making The Browsing Directory The Current Directory|netrw-c| Bookmarking A Directory............................|netrw-b| |netrw-Nb| Changing To A Bookmarked Directory.................|netrw-B| |netrw-NB| Listing Bookmarks And History......................|netrw-q| Improving Directory Browsing.......................|netrw-listhack| }}}1 9. Problems and Fixes...................................|netrw-problems| 10. Debugging............................................|netrw-debug| 11. History..............................................|netrw-history| 12. Credits..............................................|netrw-credits| The Netrw plugin is generally sourced automatically as it is a |standard-plugin|. That said, to make use of netrw, one must have plugins available which can be done with the following two lines in your <.vimrc>: > set nocp " 'compatible' is not set filetype plugin on " plugins are enabled < You can avoid loading this plugin by setting the "loaded_netrw" variable in your <.vimrc> file: > :let loaded_netrw = 1 {Vi does not have any of this} ============================================================================== 1. Starting With Netrw *netrw-start* Netrw makes reading, writing, and browsing over a network connection easy! First, make sure that you have plugins enabled, so you'll need to have at least the following in your <.vimrc>: (or see |netrw-activate|) > set nocp " 'compatible' is not set filetype plugin on " plugins are enabled < (see |'cp'| and |:filetype-plugin-on|) Netrw supports "transparent" editing of files on other machines using urls (see |netrw-transparent|). As an example of this, let's assume you have an account on some other machine; try > vim scp://hostname/path/to/file < if you have an ssh connection. Want to make ssh/scp easier to use? Check out |netrw-listhack|! What if you have ftp, not ssh/scp? That's easy, too; try > vim ftp://hostname/path/to/file < Want to make ftp simpler to use? See if your ftp supports a file called <.netrc> -- typically it goes in your home directory, has read/write permissions for only the user to read (ie. not group, world, other, etc), and has lines resembling > machine HOSTNAME login USERID password "PASSWORD" machine HOSTNAME login USERID password "PASSWORD" ... default login USERID password "PASSWORD" < How about browsing -- ie. you just want to look around before editing a file. For browsing on your current host, just "edit" a directory: > vim . vim /home/userid/path < For browsing on a remote host, "edit" a directory (but make sure that the directory name is followed by a "/"): > vim scp://hostname/ vim ftp://hostname/path/to/dir/ < See |netrw-browse| for more! There's more protocols supported than scp and ftp, too: see the next section, |netrw-externapp|. ============================================================================== 2. Netrw Reference *netrw-ref* CONTROLLING EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS *netrw-externapp* Protocol Variable Default Value -------- ---------------- ------------- dav: *g:netrw_dav_cmd* = "cadaver" fetch: *g:netrw_fetch_cmd* = "fetch -o" if fetch is available ftp: *g:netrw_ftp_cmd* = "ftp" http: *g:netrw_http_cmd* = "fetch -o" if fetch is available http: g:netrw_http_cmd = "wget -q -O" If wget is available rcp: *g:netrw_rcp_cmd* = "rcp" rsync: *g:netrw_rsync_cmd* = "rsync -a" scp: *g:netrw_scp_cmd* = "scp -q" sftp: *g:netrw_sftp_cmd* = "sftp" READING *netrw-read* *netrw-nread* :Nread ? give help :Nread "machine:path" uses rcp :Nread "machine path" uses ftp w/ <.netrc> :Nread "machine id password path" uses ftp :Nread "dav://machine[:port]/path" uses cadaver :Nread "fetch://[user@]machine/path" uses fetch :Nread "ftp://[user@]machine[[:#]port]/path" uses ftp w/ <.netrc> :Nread "http://[user@]machine/path" uses http uses wget :Nread "rcp://[user@]machine/path" uses rcp :Nread "rsync://[user@]machine[:port]/path" uses rsync :Nread "scp://[user@]machine[[:#]port]/path" uses scp :Nread "sftp://[user@]machine/path" uses sftp WRITING *netrw-write* *netrw-nwrite* :Nwrite ? give help :Nwrite "machine:path" uses rcp :Nwrite "machine path" uses ftp w/ <.netrc> :Nwrite "machine id password path" uses ftp :Nwrite "dav://machine[:port]/path" uses cadaver :Nwrite "ftp://[user@]machine[[:#]port]/path" uses ftp w/ <.netrc> :Nwrite "rcp://[user@]machine/path" uses rcp :Nwrite "rsync://[user@]machine[:port]/path" uses rsync :Nwrite "scp://[user@]machine[[:#]port]/path" uses scp :Nwrite "sftp://[user@]machine/path" uses sftp http: not supported! DIRECTORY LISTING *netrw-dirlist* :Nread [protocol]://[user]@hostname/path/ CHANGING USERID AND PASSWORD *netrw-chgup* Attempts to use ftp will prompt you for a user-id and a password. These will be saved in g:netrw_uid and g:netrw_passwd Subsequent uses of ftp will re-use those. If you need to use a different user id and/or password, you'll want to call NetUserPass() first. :NetUserPass [uid [password]] -- prompts as needed :call NetUserPass() -- prompts for uid and password :call NetUserPass("uid") -- prompts for password :call NetUserPass("uid","password") -- sets global uid and password VARIABLES *netrw-variables* *b:netrw_lastfile* last file Network-read/written retained on a per-buffer basis (supports plain :Nw ) *s:netrw_line* during :Nw/NetWrite, holds current line number *s:netrw_col* during :Nw/NetWrite, holds current column number s:netrw_line and s:netrw_col are used to restore the cursor position on writes *g:netrw_ftp* if it doesn't exist, use default ftp =0 use default ftp (uid password) =1 use alternate ftp method (user uid password) If you're having trouble with ftp, try changing the value of this variable to see if the alternate ftp method works for your setup. *g:netrw_ftpmode* ="binary" (default) ="ascii" *g:netrw_ignorenetrc* =0 (default) =1 If you have a <.netrc> file but it doesn't work and you want it ignored, then set this variable as shown. *g:netrw_uid* (ftp) user-id, retained on a per-session basis *g:netrw_passwd* (ftp) password, retained on a per-session basis *g:netrw_win95ftp* =1 if using Win95, will remove four trailing blank lines that o/s's ftp "provides" on transfers =0 force normal ftp behavior (no trailing line removal) *g:netrw_cygwin* =1 assume scp under windows is from cygwin. Also permits network browsing to use ls with time and size sorting (default if windows) =0 assume Windows' scp accepts windows-style paths Network browsing uses dir instead of ls This option is ignored if you're using unix *g:netrw_use_nt_rcp* =0 don't use the rcp of WinNT, Win2000 and WinXP =1 use WinNT's rcp in binary mode (default) PATHS *netrw-path* Paths to files are generally user-directory relative for most protocols. It is possible that some protocol will make paths relative to some associated directory, however. > example: vim scp://user@host/somefile example: vim scp://user@host/subdir1/subdir2/somefile < where "somefile" is the "user"'s home directory. If you wish to get a file using root-relative paths, use the full path: > example: vim scp://user@host//somefile example: vim scp://user@host//subdir1/subdir2/somefile < ============================================================================== 3. Network-Oriented File Transfer *netrw-xfer* Network-oriented file transfer under Vim is implemented by a VimL-based script () using plugin techniques. It currently supports both reading and writing across networks using rcp, scp, ftp or ftp+<.netrc>, scp, fetch, dav/cadaver, rsync, or sftp. http is currently supported read-only via use of wget or fetch. is a standard plugin which acts as glue between Vim and the various file transfer programs. It uses autocommand events (BufReadCmd, FileReadCmd, BufWriteCmd) to intercept reads/writes with url-like filenames. > ex. vim ftp://hostname/path/to/file < The characters preceding the colon specify the protocol to use; in the example, its ftp. The script then formulates a command or a series of commands (typically ftp) which it issues to an external program (ftp, scp, etc) which does the actual file transfer/protocol. Files are read from/written to a temporary file (under Unix/Linux, /tmp/...) which the script will clean up. *netrw-putty* *netrw-pscp* One may modify any protocol's implementing external application by setting a variable (ex. scp uses the variable g:netrw_scp_cmd, which is defaulted to "scp -q"). As an example, consider using PuTTY: > let g:netrw_scp_cmd= '"c:\Program Files\PuTTY\pscp.exe" -q -batch' < Ftp, an old protocol, seems to be blessed by numerous implementations. Unfortunately, some implementations are noisy (ie., add junk to the end of the file). Thus, concerned users may decide to write a NetReadFixup() function that will clean up after reading with their ftp. Some Unix systems (ie., FreeBSD) provide a utility called "fetch" which uses the ftp protocol but is not noisy and more convenient, actually, for to use. Consequently, if "fetch" is executable, it will be used to do reads for ftp://... (and http://...) . See |netrw-var| for more about this. For rcp, scp, sftp, and http, one may use network-oriented file transfers transparently; ie. > vim rcp://[user@]machine/path vim scp://[user@]machine/path < If your ftp supports <.netrc>, then it too can be just as transparently used if the needed triad of machine name, user id, and password are present in that file. Your ftp must be able to use the <.netrc> file on its own, however. > vim ftp://[user@]machine[[:#]portnumber]/path < However, ftp will often need to query the user for the userid and password. The latter will be done "silently"; ie. asterisks will show up instead of the actually-typed-in password. Netrw will retain the userid and password for subsequent read/writes from the most recent transfer so subsequent transfers (read/write) to or from that machine will take place without additional prompting. *netrw-urls* +=================================+============================+============+ | Reading | Writing | Uses | +=================================+============================+============+ | DAV: | | | | dav://host/path | | cadaver | | :Nread dav://host/path | :Nwrite dav://host/path | cadaver | +---------------------------------+----------------------------+------------+ | FETCH: | | | | fetch://[user@]host/path | | | | fetch://[user@]host:http/path | Not Available | fetch | | :Nread fetch://[user@]host/path| | | +---------------------------------+----------------------------+------------+ | FILE: | | | | file:///* | file:///* | | | file://localhost/* | file://localhost/* | | +---------------------------------+----------------------------+------------+ | FTP: (*3) | (*3) | | | ftp://[user@]host/path | ftp://[user@]host/path | ftp (*2) | | :Nread ftp://host/path | :Nwrite ftp://host/path | ftp+.netrc | | :Nread host path | :Nwrite host path | ftp+.netrc | | :Nread host uid pass path | :Nwrite host uid pass path | ftp | +---------------------------------+----------------------------+------------+ | HTTP: wget is executable: (*4) | | | | http://[user@]host/path | Not Available | wget | +---------------------------------+----------------------------+------------+ | HTTP: fetch is executable (*4) | | | | http://[user@]host/path | Not Available | fetch | +---------------------------------+----------------------------+------------+ | RCP: | | | | rcp://[user@]host/path | rcp://[user@]host/path | rcp | +---------------------------------+----------------------------+------------+ | RSYNC: | | | | rsync://[user@]host/path | rsync://[user@]host/path | rsync | | :Nread rsync://host/path | :Nwrite rsync://host/path | rsync | | :Nread rcp://host/path | :Nwrite rcp://host/path | rcp | +---------------------------------+----------------------------+------------+ | SCP: | | | | scp://[user@]host/path | scp://[user@]host/path | scp | | :Nread scp://host/path | :Nwrite scp://host/path | scp (*1) | +---------------------------------+----------------------------+------------+ | SFTP: | | | | sftp://[user@]host/path | sftp://[user@]host/path | sftp | | :Nread sftp://host/path | :Nwrite sftp://host/path | sftp (*1) | +=================================+============================+============+ (*1) For an absolute path use scp://machine//path. (*2) if <.netrc> is present, it is assumed that it will work with your ftp client. Otherwise the script will prompt for user-id and pasword. (*3) for ftp, "machine" may be machine#port or machine:port if a different port is needed than the standard ftp port (*4) for http:..., if wget is available it will be used. Otherwise, if fetch is available it will be used. Both the :Nread and the :Nwrite ex-commands can accept multiple filenames. NETRC *netrw-netrc* The typical syntax for lines in a <.netrc> file is given as shown below. Ftp under Unix usually supports <.netrc>; ftp under Windows usually doesn't. > machine {full machine name} login {user-id} password "{password}" default login {user-id} password "{password}" Your ftp client must handle the use of <.netrc> on its own, but if the <.netrc> file exists, an ftp transfer will not ask for the user-id or password. Note: Since this file contains passwords, make very sure nobody else can read this file! Most programs will refuse to use a .netrc that is readable for others. Don't forget that the system administrator can still read the file! PASSWORD *netrw-passwd* The script attempts to get passwords for ftp invisibly using |inputsecret()|, a built-in Vim function. See |netrw-uidpass| for how to change the password after one has set it. Unfortunately there doesn't appear to be a way for netrw to feed a password to scp. Thus every transfer via scp will require re-entry of the password. However, |netrw-listhack| can help with this problem. ============================================================================== 4. Activation *netrw-activate* Network-oriented file transfers are available by default whenever Vim's |'nocompatible'| mode is enabled. The file resides in your system's vim-plugin directory and is sourced automatically whenever you bring up vim. I suggest that, at a minimum, you have at least the following in your <.vimrc> customization file: > set nocp if version >= 600 filetype plugin indent on endif < ============================================================================== 5. Transparent File Transfer *netrw-transparent* Transparent file transfers occur whenever a regular file read or write (invoked via an |:autocmd| for |BufReadCmd| or |BufWriteCmd| events) is made. Thus one may use files across networks just as simply as if they were local. > vim ftp://[user@]machine/path ... :wq See |netrw-activate| for more on how to encourage your vim to use plugins such as netrw. ============================================================================== 6. Ex Commands *netrw-ex* The usual read/write commands are supported. There are also a few additional commands available. Often you won't need to use Nw or Nread as shown in |netrw-transparent| (ie. use :e url, :r url, :w url; see |netrw-urls|). :[range]Nw Write the specified lines to the current file as specified in b:netrw_lastfile. :[range]Nw {netfile} [{netfile}]... Write the specified lines to the {netfile}. :Nread Read the specified lines into the current buffer from the file specified in b:netrw_lastfile. :Nread {netfile} {netfile}... Read the {netfile} after the current line. *netrw-uidpass* :call NetUserPass() If b:netrw_uid and b:netrw_passwd don't exist, this function query the user for them. :call NetUserPass("userid") This call will set the b:netrw_uid and, if the password doesn't exist, will query the user for it. :call NetUserPass("userid","passwd") This call will set both the b:netrw_uid and b:netrw_passwd. The user-id and password are used by ftp transfers. One may effectively remove the user-id and password by using "" strings. :NetrwSettings This command is desribed in |netrw-settings| -- used to display netrw settings and change netrw behavior. ============================================================================== 7. Variables and Options *netrw-options* *netrw-var* The script uses several variables which can affect 's behavior. These variables typically may be set in the user's <.vimrc> file: (also see |netrw-settings|) > ------------- Netrw Options ------------- Option Meaning -------------- ----------------------------------------------- < b:netrw_col Holds current cursor position (during NetWrite) g:netrw_cygwin =1 assume scp under windows is from cygwin (default/windows) =0 assume scp under windows accepts windows style paths (default/else) g:netrw_ftp =0 use default ftp (uid password) g:netrw_ftpmode ="binary" (default) ="ascii" (your choice) g:netrw_ignorenetrc =1 (default) if you have a <.netrc> file but you don't want it used, then set this variable. Its mere existence is enough to cause <.netrc> to be ignored. b:netrw_lastfile Holds latest method/machine/path. b:netrw_line Holds current line number (during NetWrite) g:netrw_passwd Holds current password for ftp. g:netrw_silent =0 transfers done normally =1 transfers done silently g:netrw_uid Holds current user-id for ftp. =1 use alternate ftp (user uid password) (see |netrw-options|) g:netrw_use_nt_rcp =0 don't use WinNT/2K/XP's rcp (default) =1 use WinNT/2K/XP's rcp, binary mode g:netrw_win95ftp =0 use unix-style ftp even if win95/98/ME/etc =1 use default method to do ftp > ----------------------------------------------------------------------- < The script will also make use of the following variables internally, albeit temporarily. > ------------------- Temporary Variables ------------------- Variable Meaning -------- ------------------------------------ < g:netrw_method Index indicating rcp/ftp+.netrc/ftp g:netrw_machine Holds machine name parsed from input g:netrw_fname Holds filename being accessed > ------------------------------------------------------------ < *netrw-protocol* Netrw supports a number of protocols. These protocols are invoked using the variables listed below, and may be modified by the user. > ------------------------ Protocol Control Options ------------------------ Option Type Setting Meaning --------- -------- -------------- --------------------------- < netrw_ftp variable =doesn't exist userid set by "user userid" =0 userid set by "user userid" =1 userid set by "userid" NetReadFixup function =doesn't exist no change =exists Allows user to have files read via ftp automatically transformed however they wish by NetReadFixup() g:netrw_dav_cmd variable ="cadaver" g:netrw_fetch_cmd variable ="fetch -o" if fetch is available g:netrw_ftp_cmd variable ="ftp" g:netrw_http_cmd variable ="fetch -o" if fetch is available g:netrw_http_cmd variable ="wget -O" else if wget is available g:netrw_list_cmd variable ="ssh HOSTNAME ls -Fa" g:netrw_rcp_cmd variable ="rcp" g:netrw_rsync_cmd variable ="rsync -a" g:netrw_scp_cmd variable ="scp -q" g:netrw_sftp_cmd variable ="sftp" > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- < *netrw-ftp* The first two options (netrw_ftp and NetReadFixup) both help with certain ftp's that give trouble otherwise. In order to best understand how to use these options if ftp is giving you troubles, a bit of discussion follows on how netrw does ftp reads. The g:netrw_..._cmd variables specify the external program to use handle the associated protocol (rcp, ftp, etc), plus any options. The g:netrw_list_cmd's HOSTNAME entry will be changed via substitution with whatever the current request is for a hostname. For ftp, netrw typically builds up lines of one of the following formats in a temporary file: > IF g:netrw_ftp !exists or is not 1 IF g:netrw_ftp exists and is 1 ---------------------------------- ------------------------------ < open machine [port] open machine [port] user userid password userid password [g:netrw_ftpmode] password get filename tempfile [g:netrw_ftpmode] get filename tempfile > --------------------------------------------------------------------- < Netrw then executes the lines above by use of a filter: > :%! {g:netrw_ftp_cmd} -i [-n] < where g:netrw_ftp_cmd is usually "ftp", -i tells ftp not to be interactive -n means don't use netrc and is used for Method #3 (ftp w/o <.netrc>) If <.netrc> exists it will be used to avoid having to query the user for userid and password. The transferred file is put into a temporary file. The temporary file is then read into the main editing session window that requested it and the temporary file deleted. If your ftp doesn't accept the "user" command and immediately just demands a userid, then try putting "let netrw_ftp=1" in your <.vimrc>. *netrw-cadaver* To handle the SSL certificate dialog for untrusted servers, one may pull down the certificate and place it into /usr/ssl/cert.pem. This operation renders the server treatment as "trusted". *netrw-fixup* *netreadfixup* If your ftp for whatever reason generates unwanted lines (such as AUTH messages) you may write a NetReadFixup(tmpfile) function: > function! NetReadFixup(method,line1,line2) " a:line1: first new line in current file " a:line2: last new line in current file if a:method == 1 "rcp elseif a:method == 2 "ftp + <.netrc> elseif a:method == 3 "ftp + machine,uid,password,filename elseif a:method == 4 "scp elseif a:method == 5 "http/wget elseif a:method == 6 "dav/cadaver elseif a:method == 7 "rsync elseif a:method == 8 "fetch elseif a:method == 9 "sftp else " complain endif endfunction > The NetReadFixup() function will be called if it exists and thus allows you to customize your reading process. As a further example, contains just such a function to handle Windows 95 ftp. For whatever reason, Windows 95's ftp dumps four blank lines at the end of a transfer, and so it is desirable to automate their removal. Here's some code taken from itself: > if has("win95") && g:netrw_win95ftp fun! NetReadFixup(method, line1, line2) if method == 3 " ftp (no <.netrc>) let fourblanklines= line2 - 3 silent fourblanklines.",".line2."g/^\s*/d" endif endfunction endif > ============================================================================== 8. Directory Browsing *netrw-browse* *netrw-dir* *netrw-list* *netrw-help* MAPS *netrw-maps* .............Help.......................................|netrw-help| .............Browsing...................................|netrw-cr| ............Deleting Files or Directories..............|netrw-delete| -................Going Up...................................|netrw--| a................Hiding Files or Directories................|netrw-a| b................Bookmarking a Directory....................|netrw-b| B................Changing to a Bookmarked Directory.........|netrw-B| c................Make Browsing Directory The Current Dir....|netrw-c| d................Make A New Directory.......................|netrw-d| D................Deleting Files or Directories..............|netrw-D| ............Edit File/Directory Hiding List............|netrw-ctrl-h| i................Long Listing...............................|netrw-i| ............Refreshing the Listing.....................|netrw-ctrl-l| o................Browsing with a Horizontal Split...........|netrw-o| p................Preview Window.............................|netrw-p| q................Listing Bookmarks and History..............|netrw-q| r................Reversing Sorting Order....................|netrw-r| R................Renaming Files or Directories..............|netrw-R| s................Selecting Sorting Style....................|netrw-s| S................Editing the Sorting Sequence...............|netrw-S| u................Changing to a Predecessor Directory........|netrw-u| U................Changing to a Successor Directory..........|netrw-U| v................Browsing with a Vertical Split.............|netrw-v| x................Customizing Browsing.......................|netrw-x| COMMANDS *netrw-explore-cmds* :Explore[!] [dir] Explore directory of current file........|netrw-explore| :Sexplore[!] [dir] Split & Explore directory ...............|netrw-explore| :Hexplore[!] [dir] Horizontal Split & Explore...............|netrw-explore| :Vexplore[!] [dir] Vertical Split & Explore.................|netrw-explore| :Pexplore[!] [dir] Vertical Split & Explore.................|netrw-explore| :Nexplore[!] [dir] Vertical Split & Explore.................|netrw-explore| :NetrwSettings.............................................|netrw-settings| QUICK REFERENCE COMMANDS TABLE *netrw-browse-cmds* > ------- ----------- Command Explanation ------- ----------- < Causes Netrw to issue help Netrw will enter the directory or read the file |netrw-cr| Netrw will attempt to remove the file/directory |netrw-del| - Makes Netrw go up one directory |netrw--| a Toggles between normal display, |netrw-a| hiding (suppress display of files matching g:netrw_list_hide) showing (display only files which match g:netrw_list_hide) b bookmark current directory; use Nb if compact listing in use |netrw-b| B go to previous bookmarked directory; use Nb if compact listing is in use |netrw-B| c Make current browsing directory the current directory |netrw-c| d Make a directory |netrw-d| D Netrw will attempt to remove the file(s)/directory(ies) |netrw-D| Edit file hiding list |netrw-ctrl-h| i Toggles between long and short listing |netrw-i| Causes Netrw to refresh the directory listing |netrw-ctrl-l| Nb Same as b, but always available |netrw-Nb| NB Same as B, but always available |netrw-NB| o Enter the file/directory under the cursor in a new browser window. A horizontal split is used. |netrw-o| O Obtain a file specified by cursor |netrw-O| p Preview the file |netrw-p| P Browse in the previously used window |netrw-P| r Reverse sorting order |netrw-r| R Rename the designed file(s)/directory(ies) |netrw-R| s Select sorting style: by name, time, or file size |netrw-s| S Specify suffix priority for name-sorting |netrw-S| u Change to recently-visited directory |netrw-u| U Change to subsequently-visited directory |netrw-U| v Enter the file/directory under the cursor in a new browser window. A vertical split is used. |netrw-v| x Apply a function to a file. (special browsers) |netrw-x| NETRW BROWSER VARIABLES *netrw-browse-var* > --- ----------- Var Explanation --- ----------- < *g:netrw_alto* change from above splitting to below splitting by setting this variable (see |netrw-o|) default: =0 *g:netrw_altv* change from left splitting to right splitting by setting this variable (see |netrw-v|) default: =0 *g:netrw_browse_split* when browsing, will open the file by: =0: re-using the same window =1: horizontally splitting the window first =2: vertically splitting the window first *g:netrw_browsex_viewer* specify user's preference for a viewer: > "kfmclient exec" "gnome-open" < If > "-" < is used, then netrwFileHandler() will look for a script/function to handle the given extension. (see |netrw_filehandler|). *g:netrw_fastbrowse* =0: slow speed browsing, never re-use directory listings; always obtain directory listings. =1: medium speed browsing, re-use directory listings only when remote browsing. (default value) =2: fast browsing, only obtains directory listings when the directory hasn't been seen before (or |netrw-ctrl-l| is used). Fast browsing retains old directory listing buffers so that they don't need to be re-acquired. This feature is especially important for remote browsing. However, if a file is introduced or deleted into or from such directories, the old directory buffer becomes out-of-date. One may always refresh such a directory listing with |netrw-ctrl-l|. This option gives the choice of the trade-off between accuracy and speed to the user. *g:netrw_ftp_browse_reject* ftp can produce a number of errors and warnings that can show up as "directories" and "files" in the listing. This pattern is used to remove such embedded messages. By default its value is: '^total\s\+\d\+$\| ^Trying\s\+\d\+.*$\| ^KERBEROS_V\d rejected\| ^Security extensions not\| No such file\| : connect to address [0-9a-fA-F:]* : No route to host$' *g:netrw_ftp_list_cmd* options for passing along to ftp for directory listing. Defaults: unix or g:netrw_cygwin set: : "ls -lF" otherwise "dir" *g:netrw_hide* if true, the hiding list is used default: =0 *g:netrw_keepdir* =1 (default) keep current directory immune from the browsing directory. =0 keep the current directory the same as the browsing directory. The current browsing directory is contained in b:netrw_curdir (also see |netrw-c|) *g:netrw_list_cmd* command for listing remote directories default: (if ssh is executable) "ssh HOSTNAME ls -FLa" *g:netrw_longlist* if =1, then long listing will be default *g:netrw_list_hide* comma separated pattern list for hiding files default: "" *g:netrw_local_mkdir* command for making a local directory default: "mkdir" *g:netrw_local_rmdir* remove directory command (rmdir) default: "rmdir" *g:netrw_maxfilenamelen* =32 by default, selected so as to make long listings fit on 80 column displays. If your screen is wider, and you have file or directory names longer than 32 bytes, you may set this option to keep listings columnar. *g:netrw_mkdir_cmd* command for making a remote directory default: "ssh HOSTNAME mkdir" *g:netrw_rm_cmd* command for removing files default: "ssh HOSTNAME rm" *g:netrw_rmdir_cmd* command for removing directories default: "ssh HOSTNAME rmdir" *g:netrw_rmf_cmd* command for removing softlinks default: "ssh HOSTNAME rm -f" *g:netrw_sort_by* sort by "name", "time", or "size" default: "name" *g:netrw_sort_direction* sorting direction: "normal" or "reverse" default: "normal" *g:netrw_sort_sequence* when sorting by name, first sort by the comma-separated pattern sequence default: '[\/]$,*,\.bak$,\.o$,\.h$, \.info$,\.swp$,\.obj$' *g:netrw_ssh_cmd* One may specify an executable command to use instead of ssh for remote actions such as listing, file removal, etc. default: ssh *g:netrw_ssh_browse_reject* ssh can sometimes produce unwanted lines, messages, banners, and whatnot that one doesn't want masquerading as "directories" and "files". Use this pattern to remove such embedded messages. By default its value is: '^total\s\+\d\+$' *g:netrw_timefmt* specify format string to strftime() (%c) default: "%c" *g:netrw_winsize* specify initial size of new o/v windows default: "" *g:NetrwTopLvlMenu* This variable specifies the top level menu name; by default, its "Netrw.". If you wish to change this, do so in your .vimrc. INTRODUCTION TO DIRECTORY BROWSING *netrw-browse-intro* Netrw supports the browsing of directories on the local system and on remote hosts, including listing files and directories, entering directories, editing files therein, deleting files/directories, making new directories, and moving (renaming) files and directories. The Netrw browser generally implements the previous explorer maps and commands for remote directories, although details (such as pertinent global variable names) necessarily differ. The Netrw remote file and directory browser handles two protocols: ssh and ftp. The protocol in the url, if it is ftp, will cause netrw to use ftp in its remote browsing. Any other protocol will be used for file transfers, but otherwise the ssh protocol will be used to do remote directory browsing. To use Netrw's remote directory browser, simply attempt to read a "file" with a trailing slash and it will be interpreted as a request to list a directory: vim [protocol]://[user@]hostname/path/ For local directories, the trailing slash is not required. If you'd like to avoid entering the password in for remote directory listings with ssh or scp, see |netrw-listhack|. NETRW BROWSING AND OPTION INCOMPATIBILITIES *netrw-incompatible* Netrw will not work properly with > :set acd :set fo=...ta... < If either of these options are present when browsing is attempted, netrw will change them by using noacd and removing the ta suboptions from the |'formatoptions'|. *netrw-explore* *netrw-pexplore* *netrw-hexplore* *netrw-sexplore* DIRECTORY EXPLORING COMMANDS *netrw-nexplore* *netrw-vexplore* :Explore[!] [dir]... Explore directory of current file *:Explore* :Sexplore[!] [dir]... Split&Explore directory of current file *:Sexplore* :Hexplore[!] [dir]... Horizontal Split & Explore *:Hexplore* :Vexplore[!] [dir]... Vertical Split & Explore *:Vexplore* Used with :Explore **/pattern : :Nexplore............. go to next matching file *:Nexplore* :Pexplore............. go to previous matching file *:Pexplore* :Explore will open the local-directory browser on the current file's directory (or on directory [dir] if specified). The window will be split only if the file has been modified, otherwise the browsing window will take over that window. Normally the splitting is taken horizontally. :Explore! is like :Explore, but will use vertical splitting. :Sexplore will always split the window before invoking the local-directory browser. As with Explore, the splitting is normally done horizontally. :Sexplore! [dir] is like :Sexplore, but the splitting will be done vertically. :Hexplore [dir] does an :Explore with |:belowright| horizontal splitting. :Hexplore! [dir] does an :Explore with |:aboveleft| horizontal splitting. :Vexplore [dir] does an :Explore with |:leftabove| vertical splitting. :Vexplore! [dir] does an :Explore with |:rightbelow| vertical splitting. By default, these commands use the current file's directory. However, one may explicitly provide a directory (path) to use. *netrw-starstar* When Explore, Sexplore, Hexplore, or Vexplore are used with a **/filepat, such as: > :Explore **/filename_pattern < netrw will attempt to find a file in the current directory or any subdirectory which matches the filename pattern. Internally, it produces a list of files which match the pattern and their paths; to that extent it resembles the Unix operation: > find $(pwd) -name "$1" -exec "echo" "{}" ";" 2> /dev/null < The directory display is updated to show the subdirectory containing a matching file. One may then proceed to the next (or previous) matching files' directories by using Nexplore or Pexplore, respectively. If your console or gui produces recognizable shift-up or shift-down sequences, then you'll likely find using shift-downarrow and shift-uparrow convenient. They're mapped by netrw: == Nexplore, and == Pexplore. As an example, consider > :Explore **/*.c :Nexplore :Nexplore :Pexplore < The status line will show, on the right hand side of the status line, a message like "Match 3 of 20". *netrw-starpat* When Explore, Sexplore, Hexplore, or Vexplore are used with a */pattern, such as: > :Explore */pattern < netrw will use |:vimgrep| to find files which contain the given pattern. Like what happens with |netrw-starstar|, a list of files which contain matches to the given pattern is generated. The cursor will then jump to the first file with the given pattern; |:Nexplore|, |:Pexplore|, and the shifted-down and -up arrows work with the list to move to the next or previous files in that list. *netrw-starstarpat* When Explore, Sexplore, Hexplore, or Vexplore are used with a **//pattern, such as: > :Explore **//pattern < then Explore will use |:vimgrep| to find files like |netrw-starpat|; however, Explore will also search subdirectories as well as the current directory. REFRESHING THE LISTING *netrw-ctrl-l* To refresh either a local or remote directory listing, press ctrl-l () or hit the when atop the ./ directory entry in the listing. One may also refresh a local directory by using ":e .". GOING UP *netrw--* To go up a directory, press "-" or press the when atop the ../ directory entry in the listing. Netrw will use the command in |g:netrw_list_cmd| to perform the directory listing operation after changing HOSTNAME to the host specified by the user-provided url. By default netrw provides the command as: ssh HOSTNAME ls -FLa where the HOSTNAME becomes the [user@]hostname as requested by the attempt to read. Naturally, the user may override this command with whatever is preferred. The NetList function which implements remote directory browsing expects that directories will be flagged by a trailing slash. BROWSING *netrw-cr* Browsing is simple: move the cursor onto a file or directory of interest. Hitting the (the return key) will select the file or directory. Directories will themselves be listed, and files will be opened using the protocol given in the original read request. CAVEAT: There are three forms of listing (see |netrw-i|). Netrw assumes that two or more spaces delimit filenames and directory names for the long and wide listing formats. Thus, if your filename or directory name has two or more spaces embedded in it, or any trailing spaces, then you'll need to use the "thin" format to select it. The |g:netrw_browse_split| option, which is zero by default, may be used to cause the opening of files to be done in a new window. The splitting will be done horizontally if the option is one and vertically if the option is two. OBTAINING A FILE *netrw-O* When browsing a remote directory, one may obtain a file under the cursor (ie. get a copy on your local machine, but not edit it) by pressing the O key. Only ftp and scp are supported for this operation (but since these two are available for browsing, that shouldn't be a problem). The status bar will then show, on its right hand side, a message like "Obtaining filename". The statusline will be restored after the transfer is complete. Netrw can also "obtain" a file using the local browser. Netrw's display of a directory is not necessarily the same as Vim's "current directory", unless |g:netrw_keepdir| is set to 0 in the user's <.vimrc>. One may select a file using the local browser (by putting the cursor on it) and pressing "O" will then "obtain" the file; ie. copy it to Vim's current directory. Related topics: * To see what the current directory is, use |:pwd| * To make the currently browsed directory the current directory, see |netrw-c| * To automatically make the currently browsed directory the current directory, see |g:netrw_keepdir|. THIN, LONG, AND WIDE LISTINGS *netrw-i* The "i" map cycles between the thin, long, and wide listing formats. The short listing format gives just the files' and directories' names. The long listing is either based on the "ls" command via ssh for remote directories or displays the filename, file size (in bytes), and the time and date of last modification for local directories. With the long listing format, netrw is not able to recognize filenames which have trailing spaces. Use the thin listing format for such files. The wide listing format has a multi-column display of the various files in the netrw current directory, rather like the Unix "ls" presents. In this mode the "b" and "B" maps are not available; instead, use Nb (|netrw-Nb|) and NB (|netrw-NB|). The wide listing format uses two or more contiguous spaces to delineate filenames; when using that format, netrw won't be able to recognize or use filenames which have two or more contiguous spaces embedded in the name or any trailing spaces. The thin listing format will, however, work with such files. MAKING A NEW DIRECTORY *netrw-d* With the "d" map one may make a new directory either remotely (which depends on the global variable g:netrw_mkdir_cmd) or locally (which depends on the global variable g:netrw_local_mkdir). Netrw will issue a request for the new directory's name. A bare at that point will abort the making of the directory. Attempts to make a local directory that already exists (as either a file or a directory) will be detected, reported on, and ignored. DELETING FILES OR DIRECTORIES *netrw-delete* *netrw-D* *netrw-del* Deleting/removing files and directories involves moving the cursor to the file/directory to be deleted and pressing "D". Directories must be empty first before they can be successfully removed. If the directory is a softlink to a directory, then netrw will make two requests to remove the directory before succeeding. Netrw will ask for confirmation before doing the removal(s). You may select a range of lines with the "V" command (visual selection), and then pressing "D". The g:netrw_rm_cmd, g:netrw_rmf_cmd, and g:netrw_rmdir_cmd variables are used to control the attempts to remove files and directories. The g:netrw_rm_cmd is used with files, and its default value is: g:netrw_rm_cmd: ssh HOSTNAME rm The g:netrw_rmdir_cmd variable is used to support the removal of directories. Its default value is: g:netrw_rmdir_cmd: ssh HOSTNAME rmdir If removing a directory fails with g:netrw_rmdir_cmd, netrw then will attempt to remove it again using the g:netrw_rmf_cmd variable. Its default value is: g:netrw_rmf_cmd: ssh HOSTNAME rm -f RENAMING FILES OR DIRECTORIES *netrw-move* *netrw-rename* *netrw-R* Renaming/moving files and directories involves moving the cursor to the file/directory to be moved (renamed) and pressing "R". You will then be queried for where you want the file/directory to be moved. You may select a range of lines with the "V" command (visual selection), and then pressing "R". The g:netrw_rename_cmd variable is used to implement renaming. By default its value is: ssh HOSTNAME mv One may rename a block of files and directories by selecting them with the V (|linewise-visual|). HIDING FILES OR DIRECTORIES *netrw-a* Netrw's browsing facility allows one to use the hiding list in one of three ways: ignore it, hide files which match, and show only those files which match. The "a" map allows the user to cycle about these three ways. The g:netrw_list_hide variable holds a comma delimited list of patterns (ex. \.obj) which specify the hiding list. (also see |netrw-ctrl-h|) To set the hiding list, use the map. As an example, to hide files which begin with a ".", one may use the map to set the hiding list to '^\..*' (or one may put let g:netrw_list_hide= '^\..*' in one's <.vimrc>). One may then use the "a" key to show all files, hide matching files, or to show only the matching files. EDIT FILE OR DIRECTORY HIDING LIST *netrw-ctrl-h* *netrw-edithide* The "" map brings up a requestor allowing the user to change the file/directory hiding list. The hiding list consists of one or more patterns delimited by commas. Files and/or directories satisfying these patterns will either be hidden (ie. not shown) or be the only ones displayed (see |netrw-a|). BROWSING WITH A HORIZONTALLY SPLIT WINDOW *netrw-o* *netrw-horiz* Normally one enters a file or directory using the . However, the "o" map allows one to open a new window to hold the new directory listing or file. A horizontal split is used. (for vertical splitting, see |netrw-v|) Normally, the o key splits the window horizontally with the new window and cursor at the top. To change to splitting the window horizontally with the new window and cursor at the bottom, have let g:netrw_alto = 1 in your <.vimrc>. PREVIEW WINDOW *netrw-p* *netrw-preview* One may use a preview window (currently only for local browsing) by using the "p" key when the cursor is atop the desired filename to be previewed. PREVIOUS WINDOW *netrw-P* *netrw-prvwin* To edit a file or directory in the previously used window (see :he |CTRL-W_P|), press a "P". If there's only one window, then the one window will be horizontally split (above/below splitting is controlled by |g:netrw_alto|, and its initial size is controlled by |g:netrw_winsize|). If there's more than one window, the previous window will be re-used on the selected file/directory. If the previous window's associated buffer has been modified, and there's only one window with that buffer, then the user will be asked if s/he wishes to save the buffer first (yes, no, or cancel). SELECTING SORTING STYLE *netrw-s* *netrw-sort* One may select the sorting style by name, time, or (file) size. The "s" map allows one to circulate amongst the three choices; the directory listing will automatically be refreshed to reflect the selected style. EDITING THE SORTING SEQUENCE *netrw-S* *netrw-sortsequence* When "Sorted by" is name, one may specify priority via the sorting sequence (g:netrw_sort_sequence). The sorting sequence typically prioritizes the name-listing by suffix, although any pattern will do. Patterns are delimited by commas. The default sorting sequence is: > [\/]$,*,\.bak$,\.o$,\.h$,\.info$,\.swp$,\.obj$ < The lone * is where all filenames not covered by one of the other patterns will end up. One may change the sorting sequence by modifying the g:netrw_sort_sequence variable (either manually or in your <.vimrc>) or by using the "S" map. REVERSING SORTING ORDER *netrw-r* *netrw-reverse* One may toggle between normal and reverse sorting order by pressing the "r" key. CHANGING TO A PREDECESSOR DIRECTORY *netrw-u* *netrw-updir* Every time you change to a new directory (new for the current session), netrw will save the directory in a recently-visited directory history list (unless g:netrw_dirhistmax is zero; by default, its ten). With the "u" map, one can change to an earlier directory (predecessor). To do the opposite, see |netrw-U|. CHANGING TO A SUCCESSOR DIRECTORY *netrw-U* *netrw-downdir* With the "U" map, one can change to a later directory (successor). This map is the opposite of the "u" map. (see |netrw-u|) Use the q map to list both the bookmarks and history. (see |netrw-q|) BROWSING WITH A VERTICALLY SPLIT WINDOW *netrw-v* Normally one enters a file or directory using the . However, the "v" map allows one to open a new window to hold the new directory listing or file. A vertical split is used. (for horizontal splitting, see |netrw-o|) Normally, the v key splits the window vertically with the new window and cursor at the left. To change to splitting the window vertically with the new window and cursor at the right, have let g:netrw_altv = 1 in your <.vimrc>. CUSTOMIZING BROWSING WITH A USER FUNCTION *netrw-x* *netrw-handler* *gx* Certain files, such as html, gif, jpeg, (word/office) doc, etc, files, are best seen with a special handler (ie. a tool provided with your computer). Netrw allows one to invoke such special handlers by: > * when Exploring, hit the "x" key * when editing, hit gx with the cursor atop the special filename < Netrw determines which special handler by the following method: * if |g:netrw_browsex_viewer| exists, then it will be used to attempt to view files. Examples of useful settings (place into your <.vimrc>): > :let g:netrw_browsex_viewer= "kfmclient exec" < or > :let g:netrw_browsex_viewer= "gnome-open" < If g:netrw_browsex_viewer == '-', then netrwFileHandler() will be invoked first (see |netrw_filehandler|). * for Windows 32 or 64, the url and FileProtocolHandler dlls are used. * for Gnome (with gnome-open): gnome-open is used. * for KDE (with kfmclient): kfmclient is used. * otherwise the netrwFileHandler plugin is used. The file's suffix is used by these various approaches to determine an appropriate application to use to "handle" these files. Such things as OpenOffice (*.sfx), visualization (*.jpg, *.gif, etc), and PostScript (*.ps, *.eps) can be handled. *netrw_filehandler* The netrwFileHandler applies a user-defined function to a file, based on its extension. Of course, the handler function must exist for it to be called! > Ex. mypgm.html x -> netrwFileHandler_html("scp://user@host/some/path/mypgm.html") < See the for an example of how to handle an html file with mozilla. One may write custom netrwFileHandlers; please look at the > plugin/netrwFileHandlers.vim script for examples. If its likely to be generally useful, please feel free to forward a copy to me for future inclusion in the distribution. MAKING THE BROWSING DIRECTORY THE CURRENT DIRECTORY *netrw-c* *netrw-curdir* By default, |g:netrw_keepdir| is 1. This setting means that the current directory will not track the browsing directory. However, setting g:netrw_keepdir to 0 (say, in your <.vimrc>) will tell netrw to make the currently browsed directory also be the current directory. However, with the default setting for g:netrw_keepdir of 1 where netrw maintains its own separate notion of the current directory, in order to make the two directories the same, use the "c" map (just type c). That map will set Vim's notion of the current directory to the netrw's current browsing directory. BOOKMARKING A DIRECTORY *netrw-b* *netrw-bookmark* *netrw-bookmarks* *netrw-Nb* One may easily "bookmark" a directory by using > {cnt}b < Any count may be used. One may use viminfo's "!" option to retain bookmarks between vim sessions. See |netrw-B| for how to return to a bookmark and |netrw-q| for how to list them. When wide listing is in use (see |netrw-i|), then the b map is not available; instead, use {cnt}Nb. CHANGING TO A BOOKMARKED DIRECTORY *netrw-NB* *netrw-B* To change directory back to a bookmarked directory, use {cnt}B Any count may be used to reference any of the bookmarks. See |netrw-b| on how to bookmark a directory and |netrw-q| on how to list bookmarks. When wide listing is in use (see |netrw-i|), then the B map is not available; instead, use {cnt}NB. LISTING BOOKMARKS AND HISTORY *netrw-q* *netrw-listbookmark* Pressing "q" will list the bookmarked directories and directory traversal history (query). (see |netrw-b|, |netrw-B|, |netrw-u|, and |netrw-U|) IMPROVING DIRECTORY BROWSING *netrw-listhack* Especially with the remote directory browser, constantly entering the password is tedious. For Linux/Unix systems, I suggest looking into http://hacks.oreilly.com/pub/h/66 It gives a tip for setting up password-less use of ssh and scp, and discusses the associated security issues. For Windows, the vim mailing list has mentioned that Pageant helps with avoiding the constant need to enter the password. NETRW SETTINGS *netrw-settings* With the NetrwSettings.vim plugin, > :NetrwSettings will bring up a window with the many variables that netrw uses for its settings. You may change any of their values; when you save the file, the settings therein will be used. One may also press "?" on any of the lines for help on what each of the variables do. ============================================================================== 9. Problems and Fixes *netrw-problems* (This section is likely to grow as I get feedback) (also see |netrw-debug|) *netrw-p1* P1. I use windows 95, and my ftp dumps four blank lines at the end of every read. See |netrw-fixup|, and put the following into your <.vimrc> file: let g:netrw_win95ftp= 1 *netrw-p2* P2. I use windows, and my network browsing with ftp doesn't sort by time or size Windows' ftp has a minimal support for ls (ie. it doesn't accept sorting options). It doesn't support the -F which gives an explanatory character (ABC/ for "ABC is a directory"). Netrw uses dir to get its short and long listings. If you think your ftp does support a full-up ls, put the following into your <.vimrc>: let g:netrw_ftp_list_cmd= "ls -lF" Alternatively, if you have cygwin on your Windows box, put into your <.vimrc>: let g:netrw_cygwin= 1 *netrw-p3* P3. I tried rcp://user@host/ (or protocol other than ftp) and netrw used ssh! That wasn't what I asked for... Netrw has two methods for browsing remote directories: ssh and ftp. Unless you specify ftp specifically, ssh is used. When it comes time to do download a file (not just a directory listing), netrw will use the given protocol to do so. *netrw-p4* P4. I would like long listings to be the default. let g:netrw_longlist=1 Check out |netrw-browse-var| for more customizations that you can set. *netrw-p5* P5. My times come up oddly in local browsing Does your system's strftime() accept the "%c" to yield dates such as "Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997"? If not, do a "man strftime" and find out what option should be used. Then put it into your <.vimrc>: let g:netrw_timefmt= "%X" (where X is the option) *netrw-p6* P6. I want my current directory to track my browsing. How do I do that? let g:netrw_keepdir= 0 ============================================================================== 10. Debugging *netrw-debug* The script is typically available as: > /usr/local/share/vim/vim6x/plugin/netrw.vim < -or- > /usr/local/share/vim/vim7x/plugin/netrw.vim < which is loaded automatically at startup (assuming :set nocp). 1. Get the script, available as: http://mysite.verizon.net/astronaut/vim/index.html#vimlinks_scripts as "Decho, a vimL debugging aid" or http://vim.sourceforge.net/scripts/script.php?script_id=120 and put it into your local plugin directory. 2. itself needs the script, so you'll need to put it into your .vim/plugin, too. You may obtain it from: http://mysite.verizon.net/astronaut/vim/index.html#VimFuncs as "DrC's Utilities" 3. Edit the file by typing: vim netrw.vim :DechoOn :wq To restore to normal non-debugging behavior, edit by typing vim netrw.vim :DechoOff :wq This command, provided by , will comment out all Decho-debugging statements (Dfunc(), Dret(), Decho(), Dredir()). 4. Then bring up vim and attempt a transfer. A set of messages should appear concerning the steps that took in attempting to read/write your file over the network. Please send that information to 's maintainer, NdrOchip at ScampbellPfamily.AbizM - NOSPAM ============================================================================== 11. History *netrw-history* {{{1 v98: May 02, 2006 * the "p" key didn't work properly when the browsing directory name had spaces in it. v97: May 01, 2006 * exists("&acd") now used to determine if the 'acd' option exists * "obtain" now works again under Windows v96: * bugfix - the |'acd'| option is not always defined but is now bypassed only when it is v95: * bugfix - Hiding mode worked correctly (don't show any file matching any of the g:netrw_hide patterns), but but showing mode was showing only those files that didn't match any of the g:netrw_hide patterns. Instead, it now shows all files that match any of the g:netrw_hide patterns (the difference between a logical and and logical or). v94: * bugfix - a Decho() had a missing quote; only affects things when debugging was enabled. v93: * bugfix - removed FocusGained event from causing a slow-browser refresh for Windows v92: * :Explore **//pattern implemented (**/filepattern already taken) v91: * :Explore */pattern implemented * |'acd'| option bypassed v90: * mark ', as suggested by Yegappan Lakshmanan, used to help guarantee entry into the jump list when appropriate. * and are no longer defined until a :Explore **/pattern is used (if the user already has a map for them). They will be defined for new browser windows from that point forward. v89: * A , , :Nexplore, or a :Pexplore without having first done an :Explore **/pattern (see |netrw-starstar|) caused a lot of unhelpful error messages to appear v88: * moved DrChip.Netrw menu to Netrw. Now has priority 80 by default. g:NetrwTopLvlMenu == "Netrw" and can be changed by the user to suit. The priority is g:NetrwMenuPriority. * Changed filetype for browser displays from netrwlist to netrw. v87: * bug fix -- menus were partially disappearing v85: * bug fix -- missing an endif * bug fix -- handles spaces in names and directories when using ftp-based browsing v83: * disabled stop-acd handling; the change in directory handling may allow acd to be used again. Awaiting feedback. * D was refusing to delete remote files/directories in wide listing mode. v81: * FocusGained also used to refresh/wipe local browser directory buffers * (bugfix) netrw was leaving [Scratch] buffers behind when the the user had the "hidden" option set. The 'hidden' option is now bypassed. v80: * ShellCmdPost event used in conjunction with g:netrw_fastbrowse to refresh/wipe local browser directory buffers. v79: * directories are now displayed with nowrap * (bugfix) if the column width was smaller than the largest file's name, then netrw would hang when using wide-listing mode - fixed * g:netrw_fastbrowse introduced v78: * progress has been made on allowing spaces inside directory names for remote work (reading, writing, browsing). (scp) v77: * Mikolaj Machowski fixed a bug in a substitute command * g:netrw_browsex_viewer implemented * Mikolaj Machowski pointed out that gnome-open is often executable under KDE systems, although it is effectively not functional. NetBrowseX now looks for "kicker" as a running process to determine if KDE is actually the really running. * Explorer's O functionality was inadvertently left out. Netrw now does the same thing, but with the "P" key. * added g:netrw_browse_split option * fixed a bug where the directory contained a "." but the file didn't (was treating the dirname from "." onwards as a suffix) v76: * "directory is missing" error message now restores echo highlighting v75: * file://... now conforms to RFC2396 (thanks to S. Zacchiroli) * if the binary option is set, then NetWrite() will only write the whole file (line numbers don't make sense with this). Supports writing of tar and zip files. v74: * bugfix (vim, then :Explore) now works * ctrl-L keeps cursor at same screen location (both local and remote browsing) * netrw now can read remote zip and tar files * Obtain now uses WinXP ftp+.netrc successfully v73: * bugfix -- scp://host/path/file was getting named incorrectly * netrw detects use of earlier-than-7.0 version of vim and issues a pertinent error message. * netrwSettings.vim is now uses autoloading. Only is needed as a pure plugin (ie. always loaded). v72: * bugfix -- formerly, one could prevent the loading of netrw by "let g:loaded_netrw=1"; when autoloading became supported, this feature was lost. It is now restored. v71: * bugfix -- made some "set nomodifiable"s into setlocal variants (allows :e somenewfile to be modifiable as usual) * NetrwSettings calls a netrw function, thereby assuring that netrw has loaded. However, if netrw does not load for whatever reason, then NetrwSettings will now issue a warning message. * For what reason I don't recall, when wget and fetch are both not present, and an attempt to read a http://... url is made, netrw exited. It now only returns. * When ch=1, on the second and subsequent uses of browsing Netrw would issue a blank line to clear the echo'd messages. This caused an annoying "Hit-Enter" prompt; now a blank line message is echo'd only if &ch>1. v70: * when using |netrw-O|, the "Obtaining filename" message is now shown using |hl-User9|. If User9 has not been defined, netrw will define it. v69: * Bugfix: win95/98 machines were experiencing a "E121: Undefined variable: g:netrw_win95ftp" message v68: * double-click-leftmouse selects word under mouse v67: * Passwords which contain blanks will now be surrounded by double-quotes automatically (Yongwei) v66: * Netrw now seems to work with a few more Windows situations * O now obtains a file: remote browsing file -> local copy, locally browsing file -> current directory (see :pwd) * i now cycles between thin, long, and wide listing styles * NB and Nb are maps that are always available; corresponding B and b maps are only available when not using wide listing in order to allow them to be used for motions v65: * Browser functions now use NetOptionSave/Restore; in particular, netrw now works around the report setting v64: * Bugfix - browsing a "/" directory (Unix) yielded buffers named "[Scratch]" instead of "/" * Bugfix - remote browsing with ftp was omitting the ./ and ../ v63: * netrw now takes advantage of autoload (and requires 7.0) * Bugfix - using r (to reverse sort) working again v62: * Bugfix - spaces allowed again in directory names with g:netrw_keepdir=0. In fact, I've tested netrw (again) with most ANSI punctuation marks for directory names. * Bugfix - NetrwSettings gave errors when g:netrw_silent had not be set. v61: * document upgrade -- netrw variable-based settings all should have tags. Supports NetrwSettings command. * several important variables are window-oriented. Netrw has to transfer these across a window split. See s:BufWinVars() and s:UseBufWinVars(). v60: * when using the i map to switch between long and short listings, netrw will now keep cursor on same line * "Match # of #" now uses status line * :Explore **/*.c will now work from a non-netrw-browser window * :Explore **/patterns can now be run in separate browser windows * active banner (hit will cause various things to happen) v59: * bugfix -- another keepalt work-around installed (for vim6.3) * "Match # of #" for Explore **/pattern matches v58: * Explore and relatives can now handle **/somefilepattern (v7) * Nexplore and Pexplore introduced (v7). shift-down and shift-up cursor keys will invoke Nexplore and Pexplore, respectively. * bug fixed with o and v * autochdir only worked around for vim when it has been compiled with either |+netbeans_intg| or |+sun_workshop| * Under Windows, all directories and files were being preceded with a "/" when local browsing. Fixed. * When: syntax highlighting is off, laststatus=2, and remote browsing is used, sometimes the laststatus highlighting bleeds into the entire display. Work around - do an extra redraw in that case. * Bugfix: when g:netrw_keepdir=0, due to re-use of buffers, netrw didn't change the directory when it should've * Bugfix: D and R commands work again v57: * Explore and relatives can now handle RO files * reverse sort restored with vim7's sort command * g:netrw_keepdir now being used to keep the current directory unchanged as intended (sense change) * vim 6.3 still supported v56: * LocalBrowse now saves autochdir setting, unsets it, and restores it before returning. * using vim's rename() instead of system + local_rename variable * avoids changing directory when g:netrw_keepdir is false v55: * -bar used with :Explore :Sexplore etc to allow multiple commands to be separated by |s * browser listings now use the "nowrap" option * browser: some unuseful error messages now suppressed v54: * For backwards compatibility, Explore and Sexplore have been implemented. In addition, Hexplore and Vexplore commands are available, too. * used instead of in the transparency support (BufReadCmd, FileReadCmd, FileWriteCmd) * ***netrw*** prepended to various error messages netrw may emit * g:netrw_port used instead of b:netrw_port for scp * any leading [:#] is removed from port numbers v53: * backslashes as well as slashes placed in various patterns (ex. g:netrw_sort_sequence) to better support Windows v52: * nonumber'ing now set for browsing buffers * when the hiding list hid all files, error messages ensued. Fixed * when browsing, swf is set, but directory is not set, when netrw was attempting to restore options, vim wanted to save a swapfile to a local directory using an url-style path. Fixed v51: * cygwin detection now automated (using windows and &shell is bash) * customizable browser "file" rejection patterns * directory history * :[range]w url now supported (ie. netrw has a FileWriteCmd event) * error messages have a "Press to continue" to allow them to be seen * directory browser displays no longer bother the swapfile * u/U commands to go up and down the history stack * history stack may be saved with viminfo with its "!" option * bugfixes associated with unwanted [No Files] entries v50: * directories now displayed using buftype=nofile; should keep the directory names as-is * attempts to remove empty "[No File]" buffers leftover from :file ..name.. commands * bugfix: a "caps-lock" editing difficulty left in v49 was fixed * syntax highlighting for "Showing:" the hiding list included * bookmarks can now be retained if "!" is in the viminfo option v49: * will use ftp for http://.../ browsing v48: * One may use ftp to do remote host file browsing * (windows and !cygwin) remote browsing with ftp can now use the "dir" command internally to provide listings * g:netrw_keepdir now allows one to keep the initial current directory as the current directory (normally the local file browser makes the currently viewed directory the current directory) * g:netrw_alto and g:netrw_altv now support alternate placement of windows started with o or v * Nread ? and Nwrite ? now uses echomsg (instead of echo) so :messages can repeat showing the help * bugfix: avoids problems with partial matches of directory names to prior buffers with longer names * one can suppress error messages with g:netrw_quiet ctrl-h used * instead of h for editing hiding list one may edit the * sorting sequence with the S map now allows confirmation of * deletion with [y(es) n(o) a(ll) q(uit)] the "x" map now handles * special file viewing with: (windows) rundll32 url.dll (gnome) gnome-open (kde) kfmclient If none of these are on the executable path, then netrwFileHandlers.vim is used. * directory bookmarking during both local and remote browsing implemented * one may view all, use the hiding list to suppress, or use the hiding list to show-only remote and local file/directory listings * improved unusual file and directory name handling preview * window support v47: * now handles local directory browsing. v46: * now handles remote directory browsing * g:netrw_silent (if 1) will cause all transfers to be silent v45: * made the [user@]hostname:path form a bit more restrictive to better handle errors in using protocols (e.g. scp:usr@host:file was being recognized as an rcp request) v44: * changed from "rsync -a" to just "rsync" * somehow an editing error messed up the test to recognize use of the fetch method for NetRead. * more debugging statements included v43: * moved "Explanation" comments to help file as "Network Reference" (|netrw-ref|) * now uses Dfunc() Decho() and Dret() for debugging * removed superfluous NetRestorePosn() calls v42: * now does BufReadPre and BufReadPost events on file:///* and file://localhost/* v41: * installed file:///* and file://localhost/* handling v40: * prevents redraw when a protocol error occurs so that the user may see it v39: * sftp support v38: * Now uses NetRestorePosn() calls with Nread/Nwrite commands * Temporary files now removed via bwipe! instead of bwipe (thanks to Dave Roberts) v37: * Claar's modifications which test if ftp is successful, otherwise give an error message * After a read, the alternate file was pointing to the temp file. The temp file buffer is now wiped out. * removed silent from transfer methods so user can see what's happening ============================================================================== 11. Credits *netrw-credits* {{{1 Vim editor by Bram Moolenaar (Thanks, Bram!) dav support by C Campbell fetch support by Bram Moolenaar and C Campbell ftp support by C Campbell http support by Bram Moolenaar rcp rsync support by C Campbell (suggested by Erik Warendorph) scp support by raf sftp support by C Campbell inputsecret(), BufReadCmd, BufWriteCmd contributed by C Campbell Jérôme Augé -- also using new buffer method with ftp+.netrc Bram Moolenaar -- obviously vim itself, :e and v:cmdarg use, fetch,... Yasuhiro Matsumoto -- pointing out undo+0r problem and a solution Erik Warendorph -- for several suggestions (g:netrw_..._cmd variables, rsync etc) Doug Claar -- modifications to test for success with ftp operation ============================================================================== vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl:fdm=marker