Vimscript

Vimscript is the built-in scripting language for the Vim text editor, used to customize, extend, and automate Vim's functionality. It allows users to write plugins, define key mappings, set options, and create complex editing workflows directly within Vim. As an integral part of Vim, it enables deep integration with the editor's features like buffers, windows, and modes.

Also known as: VimL, Vim script, Vim scripting language, VimL script, Vim-script

🧊Why learn Vimscript?

Developers should learn Vimscript when they want to customize Vim beyond basic configuration, such as creating custom commands, automating repetitive tasks, or developing plugins for personal or community use. It is essential for advanced Vim users who need to tailor the editor to specific workflows, like code refactoring, syntax highlighting for niche languages, or integrating with external tools. Use cases include writing plugin scripts for enhanced editing capabilities or automating complex text transformations.

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Learning Resources

Vimscript the Hard Way

Vim Reference Manual: Scripting

Vimscript Tutorial on YouTube by ThePrimeagen

Practical Vim by Drew Neil

Vimscript Course on Udemy

Related Tools

Vim Neovim Text Editing Shell Scripting Plugin Development

Alternatives to Vimscript

Lua Python Emacs Lisp

Other Programming Languages

Bash (Bourne Again SHell) is a Unix shell and command language that serves as the default command-line interpreter for most Linux distributions and macOS. It provides a text-based interface for interacting with the operating system, allowing users to execute commands, write scripts for automation, and manage system tasks. Bash combines features from the original Bourne shell with enhancements from other shells like Korn and C shell, making it a powerful tool for system administration, software development, and DevOps workflows.

Bash (Bourne Again SHell) is a Unix shell and command language used primarily in Linux and macOS environments. It provides a command-line interface for interacting with the operating system and allows users to write scripts to automate tasks, manage files, and execute programs. Bash scripting combines shell commands with programming constructs like variables, loops, and conditionals to create reusable automation workflows.

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CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a stylesheet language used to describe the presentation of documents written in HTML or XML, including colors, layouts, fonts, and animations. It enables developers to separate content from design, making web pages more accessible and maintainable. CSS works by applying rules to HTML elements, controlling how they are displayed on various devices and screen sizes.