Custom Commands and Working Variables in Vifm File Manager
Vifm is a powerful file manager for the console that combines the simplicity and speed of the command line with the convenience of a graphical user interface. It is highly customizable, allowing users to create their own commands and working variables to automate tasks and improve productivity. In this article, we will explore the key concepts of custom commands and working variables in Vifm, along with examples and best practices.
Custom Commands
Custom commands in Vifm are user-defined commands that can be executed from the command line or from within Vifm using the :command command. Custom commands can be used to automate repetitive tasks, perform complex operations, and integrate Vifm with other tools and scripts.
To create a custom command in Vifm, you can use the :command command followed by the name of the command and the command string. For example, the following command defines a custom command called myls that lists the contents of the current directory:
:command myls ls -laOnce the custom command is defined, you can execute it from the command line by typing myls followed by Enter. You can also execute it from within Vifm using the :myls command.
Custom commands in Vifm can also take arguments, which can be used to customize the command execution. For example, the following command defines a custom command called mygrep that searches for a pattern in a set of files:
:command mygrep grep -r <pattern> <files>In this command, <pattern> and <files> are arguments that can be passed to the command when it is executed. For example, the following command searches for the pattern mytext in the files file1.txt and file2.txt:
:mygrep mytext file1.txt file2.txtWorking Variables
Working variables in Vifm are user-defined variables that can be used to store and manipulate data within Vifm. Working variables can be used to simplify complex commands, automate repetitive tasks, and improve productivity.
To create a working variable in Vifm, you can use the let command followed by the name of the variable and the value. For example, the following command creates a working variable called myvar with the value hello world:
let &myvar = "hello world"Once the working variable is created, you can use it in commands and expressions by prefixing it with an ampersand (&). For example, the following command prints the value of the myvar variable:
:echo &myvarWorking variables in Vifm can also be used to store the output of commands and expressions. For example, the following command creates a working variable called myfiles with the list of files in the current directory:
let &myfiles = system("ls -1")In this command, the system() function is used to execute the ls -1 command and store its output in the myfiles variable. You can then use the myfiles variable in other commands and expressions to manipulate the list of files.
Declare and Use Variables (Options)
In addition to working variables, Vifm also supports the declaration and use of options, which are variables that control the behavior of Vifm. Options can be set using the let command, followed by the name of the option and the value. For example, the following command sets the list option to show a detailed
list of files:
let &list = "detailed"Once an option is set, it can be used in commands and expressions to control the behavior of Vifm. For example, the following command shows the list of files in the current directory using the list option:
:filesCustom commands and working variables are powerful features in Vifm that allow users to automate tasks, perform complex operations, and improve productivity. By understanding the key concepts and best practices of custom commands and working variables, users can unlock the full potential of Vifm and streamline their workflow.