1 *os_mac.txt* For Vim version 7.2. Last change: 2006 Apr 30
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar et al.
7 *mac* *Mac* *macintosh* *Macintosh*
9 This file documents the particularities of the Macintosh version of Vim.
11 NOTE: This file is a bit outdated. You might find more useful info here:
14 1. Filename Convention |mac-filename|
15 2. .vimrc an .vim files |mac-vimfile|
17 4. Known Lack |mac-lack|
18 5. Mac Bug Report |mac-bug|
19 6. Compiling Vim |mac-compile|
21 There was a Mac port for version 3.0 of Vim. Here are the first few lines
25 Initial Macintosh release, VIM version 3.0
29 <enf1@midway.uchicago.edu>, <eric@jcp.uchicago.edu>, <etaoin@uchicago.edu>
31 Indianapolis IN 46220 USA
33 ==============================================================================
34 1. Filename Convention *mac-filename*
36 Starting with Vim version 7 you can just use the unix path separators with
37 Vim. In order to determine if the specified filename is relative to the
38 current folder or absolute (i.e. relative to the "Desktop"), the following
41 If the path start by a "/", the path is absolute
42 If the path start by a ":", the path is relative
43 If the path doesn't start by neither a "/" nor ":",
44 and a ":" is found before a "/" then the path is absolute
48 < Edit the file "text" of the disk "HD" >
51 < Edit the file "main.c" in the folder "src" in the current folder >
53 < Edit the file "os_mac.c" in the current folder.
55 You can use the |$VIM| and |$VIMRUNTIME| variable. >
57 :so $VIMRUNTIME:syntax:syntax.vim
59 ==============================================================================
60 2. .vimrc and .vim files *mac-vimfile*
62 It is recommended to use Unix style line separators for Vim scripts, thus a
63 single newline character.
65 When starting up Vim will load the $VIMRUNTIME/macmap.vim script to define
66 default command-key mappings.
68 On older systems files starting with a dot "." are discouraged, thus the rc
69 files are named "vimrc" or "_vimrc" and "gvimrc" or "_gvimrc". These files
70 can be in any format (mac, dos or unix). Vim can handle any file format when
71 the |'nocompatible'| option is set, otherwise it will only handle mac format
74 ==============================================================================
77 On the internet: http://macvim.org/OSX/index.php#FAQ
79 Q: I can't enter non-ASCII character in Apple Terminal.
80 A: Under Window Settings, Emulation, make sure that "Escape non-ASCII
81 characters" is not checked.
83 Q: How do I start the GUI from the command line?
84 A: Assuming that Vim.app is located in /Applications:
85 open /Applications/Vim.app
87 /Applications/Vim.app/Contents/MacOS/Vim -g {arguments}
89 Q: How can I set $PATH to something reasonable when I start Vim.app from the
91 A: The following trick works with most shells. Put it in your vimrc file.
92 This is included in the system vimrc file included with the binaries
93 distributed at macvim.org . >
94 let s:path = system("echo echo VIMPATH'${PATH}' | $SHELL -l")
95 let $PATH = matchstr(s:path, 'VIMPATH\zs.\{-}\ze\n')
97 ==============================================================================
98 4. Mac Lack *mac-lack*
100 In a terminal CTRL-^ needs to be entered as Shift-Control-6. CTRL-@ as
103 ==============================================================================
104 5. Mac Bug Report *mac-bug*
106 When reporting any Mac specific bug or feature change, please use the vim-mac
107 maillist |vim-mac|. However, you need to be subscribed. An alternative is to
108 send a message to the current MacVim maintainers:
112 ==============================================================================
113 6. Compiling Vim *mac-compile*
115 See the file "src/INSTALLmac.txt" that comes with the source files.
118 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: