• INSTALLATION
• RELEASE NOTES
• FILES
• ADDITIONAL TIPS
• CREDITS

Bash Support implements a Bash-IDE for Vim/gVim. It is written to considerably speed up writing code in a consistent style. This is done by inserting complete statements, comments, idioms, and code snippets. Syntax checking, running a script, starting a debugger can be done with a keystroke. There are many additional hints and options which can improve speed and comfort when writing shell scripts.

This plug-in can be used with Vim version 7.x.

A system-wide installation for all users can also be done. This will have further effects on how the plug-in works. For a step-by-step instruction, as well as an explanation of the other consequences, please see the help file doc/bashsupport.txt or look up the documentation via:

  :help bashsupport-system-wide

The subdirectories in the zip archive bash-support.zip mirror the directory structure which is needed below the local installation directory $HOME/.vim/ (find the value of $HOME with :echo $HOME from inside Vim).

(1.0) Save the template files in $HOME/.vim/bash-support/templates/Templates if you have changed any of them.

(1.1) Copy the zip archive bash-support.zip to $HOME/.vim and run

  unzip bash-support.zip

Afterwards, these files should exist:

  $HOME/.vim/autoload/mmtemplates/...
  $HOME/.vim/doc/...
  $HOME/.vim/plugin/bash-support.vim

(1.2) Loading of plug-in files must be enabled. If not use

  :filetype plugin on

This is the minimal content of the file $HOME/.vimrc. Create one if there is none or use the files in $HOME/.vim/bash-support/rc as a starting point.

(1.3) Set at least some personal details. Use the map \ntw inside a Bash buffer or the menu entry:

  Bash -> Snippets -> template setup wizard

It will help you set up the file runtimepath/templates/personal.templates . The file is read by all plug-ins supporting this feature to get your personal details. Here is the minimal personalization (my settings as an example):

  SetMacro( 'AUTHOR',      'Wolfgang Mehner' )
  SetMacro( 'AUTHORREF',   'wm' )
  SetMacro( 'EMAIL',       '[email protected]' )
  SetMacro( 'COPYRIGHT',   'Copyright (c) |YEAR|, |AUTHOR|' )

Use the file $HOME/.vim/templates/bash.templates to customize or add to your Bash template library. It can also be set up via the wizard.

(Read more about the template system in the plug-in documentation.)

(1.4) Make the plug-in help accessible by typing the following command on the Vim command line:

  :helptags $HOME/.vim/doc/

(1.5) Consider additional settings in the file $HOME/.vimrc. The files customization.vimrc and customization.gvimrc are replacements or extensions for your .vimrc and .gvimrc. You may want to use parts of them. The files are documented.

The subdirectories in the zip archive bash-support.zip mirror the directory structure which is needed below the local installation directory $HOME/vimfiles/ (find the value of $HOME with :echo $HOME from inside Vim).

(2.0) Save the template files in $HOME/vimfiles/bash-support/templates/Templates if you have changed any of them.

(2.1) Copy the zip archive bash-support.zip to $HOME/vimfiles and run

  unzip bash-support.zip

Afterwards, these files should exist:

  $HOME/vimfiles/autoload/mmtemplates/...
  $HOME/vimfiles/doc/...
  $HOME/vimfiles/plugin/bash-support.vim

(2.2) Loading of plug-in files must be enabled. If not use

  :filetype plugin on

This is the minimal content of the file $HOME/_vimrc. Create one if there is none or use the files in $HOME/vimfiles/bash-support/rc as a starting point.

(2.3) Set at least some personal details. Use the map \ntw inside a Bash buffer or the menu entry:

  Bash -> Snippets -> template setup wizard

It will help you set up the file runtimepath/templates/personal.templates . The file is read by all plug-ins supporting this feature to get your personal details. Here is the minimal personalization (my settings as an example):

  SetMacro( 'AUTHOR',      'Wolfgang Mehner' )
  SetMacro( 'AUTHORREF',   'wm' )
  SetMacro( 'EMAIL',       '[email protected]' )
  SetMacro( 'COPYRIGHT',   'Copyright (c) |YEAR|, |AUTHOR|' )

Use the file $HOME/vimfiles/templates/bash.templates to customize or add to your Bash template library. It can also be set up via the wizard.

(Read more about the template system in the plug-in documentation.)

(2.4) Make the plug-in help accessible by typing the following command on the Vim command line:

  :helptags $HOME\vimfiles\doc\

(2.5) Consider additional settings in the file $HOME/_vimrc. The files customization.vimrc and customization.gvimrc are replacements or extensions for your _vimrc and _gvimrc. You may want to use parts of them. The files are documented.

There are a lot of features and options which can be used and influenced:

• use of template files and macros
• using and managing personal code snippets
• bash dictionary for keyword completion
• removing the root menu
• using additional plug-ins

Actions differ for different modes. Please read the documentation:

  :help bashsupport

Any problems? See the TROUBLESHOOTING section at the end of the help file doc/bashsupport.txt.

• Adapt for running under Neovim more smoothly.
• Add command :Bash [<args>] to run the interpreter with arguments.
• Add command :BashDirectRun to run executable scripts without g:BASH_Executable.
• Add command :BashOutputMethod to set the output destination for :Bash.
• Add command :BashExecutable to set the executable during runtime.
• Add output method 'terminal' for running scripts in a terminal window (requires terminal).
• The templates which are inserted into new files as file skeletons can be specified in the templates library, via the property: Bash::FileSkeleton::Script
• Use g:Xterm_Executable.
• Use g:Xterm_Options instead of g:BASH_XtermDefaults. The setting g:BASH_XtermDefaults still works for backwards compatibility.
• Add configuration variables g:BASH_Ctrl_j and g:BASH_Ctrl_d to control the creation of the CTRL J and CTRL D maps.
• Remove the definition of the maps CTRL F9, SHIFT F9, and ALT F9. Add them to your filetype plug-in if you want to use them.
• Integration of BashDB moved into the toolbox.
• Add shell options and variables for BASH Version 4.4.
• Minor corrections and improvements.

Note: The filetype plug-in has been moved, and is thus not loaded automatically anymore. Copy it from bash-support/rc to ftplugin, or add the commands there to your own filetype plug-in.

-> see file bash-support/doc/ChangeLog

README.md
                    This file.

autoload/mmtemplates/*
                    The template system.

doc/bashsupport.txt
                    The help file for Bash Support.
doc/templatesupport.txt
                    The help file for the template system.

plugin/bash-support.vim
                    The Bash plugin for Vim/gVim.

bash-support/codesnippets/*
                    Some Bash code snippets as a starting point.

bash-support/scripts/*
                    Several helper scripts.

bash-support/templates/Templates
                    Bash main template file.
bash-support/templates/*.templates
                    Several dependent template files.

bash-support/wordlists/bash-keywords.list
                    A file used as dictionary for automatic word completion.
                    This file is referenced in the file customization.vimrc.

The following files and extensions are for convenience only. bash-support.vim will work without them. The settings are explained in the files themselves.

ftdetect/template.vim
ftplugin/template.vim
syntax/template.vim
                    Additional files for working with templates.

bash-support/doc/bash-hotkeys.pdf
                    Reference card for the key mappings. The mappings can
                    also be used with the non-GUI Vim, where the menus are
                    not available.
bash-support/doc/ChangeLog
                    The change log.

bash-support/rc/customization.bashrc
                    Additional settings for use in .bashrc:
                      set the prompt P2, P3, P4 (for debugging)
bash-support/rc/customization.gvimrc
                    Additional settings for use in .gvimrc:
                      hot keys, mouse settings, ...
                    The file is commented. Append it to your .gvimrc if you
                    like.
bash-support/rc/customization.vimrc
                    Additional settings for use in  .vimrc:
                      incremental search, tabstop, hot keys,
                      font, use of dictionaries, ...
                    The file is commented. Append it to your .vimrc if you
                    like.

bash-support/rc/sh.vim
                    Example filetype plug-ins for Bash:
                      defines additional maps

bash-support/rc/*.templates
                    Sample template files for customization. Used by the
                    template setup wizard.

(1) gvim. Toggle 'insert mode' <--> 'normal mode' with the right mouse button (see mapping in file customization.gvimrc).

(2) gvim. Use tear off menus and

(3) try 'Focus under mouse' as window behavior (No mouse click when the mouse pointer is back from the menu entry).

(4) Use Emulate3Buttons "on" (X11) even for a 3-button mouse. Pressing left and right button simultaneously without moving your fingers is faster then moving a finger to the middle button (often a wheel).

Wolfgang Mehner (wolfgang-mehner AT web.de) for the implementation of the powerful template system templatesupport.

This plug-in has been developed by Fritz Mehner, who maintained it until 2015.