run external python function as vim command

Question

I'd like to have a directory which includes a range of vim functions written in python.

I'd like to then be able to call these functions in my .vimrc, and run them through :<FuncName>

I've looked at a number of resources online, and while it is quite easy to get python functionality working if it is written in your .vimrc, I'm struggling to bring in outside files.

I have the following file:

/home/daniel/vim/hey_vim.py

def HeyVim():
    print("Hey Vim")

In my .vimrc I have the following:

function HeyVim()

pyfile /home/daniel/vim/hey_vim.py

endfunction

:command HeyVim :call HeyVim()

I've also tried the following variations:

Quoting the filepath in the vimscript function
Removing colons from the command
Various path expansions to get to hey_vim.py
Quick file creation instead of print to see if it was just a printing issue
Changing file name from hey_vim.py to HeyVim.py

When I run :HeyVim, nothing happens. There are no errors, but also nothing is printed, and no file is created when that part is in there.

Any ideas?

yolenoyer · Accepted Answer · 2017-04-23 08:24:50Z

2

In the actual state:

What does your Vim function? It parses your Python file.
What does your Python file? It defines a new python function.

So when you run your :HeyVim command as you wrote it, you simply add a new Python function into the context. You could then use it like this: :py HeyVim().

You should run :pyfile outside of the HeyVim() Vim function, so it runs during the Vim initialization process. Then run :py HeyVim() inside your Vim function, something like this:

pyfile /home/daniel/vim/hey_vim.py

function HeyVim()
    py HeyVim()
endfunction

command HeyVim call HeyVim()

answered Apr 23, 2017 at 8:24

yolenoyer

9,5973 gold badges36 silver badges66 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

intuited Over a year ago

It would be easier to just change the command to command HeyVim py HeyVim().

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

run external python function as vim command

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related