Vim documentation: netbeans
main help file
*netbeans.txt* For Vim version 7.0. Last change: 2006 Mar 09
VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Gordon Prieur
NetBeans ExternalEditor Integration Features *netbeans*
*netbeans-support*
1. Introduction |netbeans-intro|
2. NetBeans Key Bindings |netbeans-keybindings|
3. Configuring Vim for NetBeans |netbeans-configure|
4. Downloading NetBeans |netbeans-download|
5. Preparing NetBeans for Vim |netbeans-preparation|
6. Obtaining the External Editor Module |obtaining-exted|
7. Setting up NetBeans to run with Vim |netbeans-setup|
8. Messages |netbeans-messages|
9. Running Vim from NetBeans |netbeans-run|
10. NetBeans protocol |netbeans-protocol|
11. NetBeans commands |netbeans-commands|
12. Known problems |netbeans-problems|
{Vi does not have any of these features}
{only available when compiled with the |+netbeans_intg| feature}
==============================================================================
1. Introduction *netbeans-intro*
NetBeans is an open source Integrated Development Environment developed
jointly by Sun Microsystems, Inc. and the netbeans.org developer community.
Initially just a Java IDE, NetBeans has had C, C++, and Fortran support added
in recent releases.
For more information visit the main NetBeans web site http://www.netbeans.org
or the NetBeans External Editor site at http://externaleditor.netbeans.org.
Sun Microsystems, Inc. also ships NetBeans under the name Sun ONE Studio.
Visit http://www.sun.com for more information regarding the Sun ONE Studio
product line.
Current releases of NetBeans provide full support for Java and limited support
for C, C++, and Fortran. Current releases of Sun ONE Studio provide full
support for Java, C, C++, and Fortran.
The interface to NetBeans is also supported by Agide, the A-A-P GUI IDE.
Agide is very different from NetBeans:
- Based on Python instead of Java, much smaller footprint and fast startup.
- Agide is a framework in which many different tools can work together.
See the A-A-P website for information: http://www.A-A-P.org.
==============================================================================
2. NetBeans Key Bindings *netbeans-keybindings*
Vim understands a number of key bindings that execute NetBeans commands.
These are typically all the Function key combinations. To execute a NetBeans
command, the user must press the Pause key followed by a NetBeans key binding.
For example, in order to compile a Java file, the NetBeans key binding is
"F9". So, while in vim, press "Pause F9" to compile a java file. To toggle a
breakpoint at the current line, press "Pause Shift F8".
The Pause key is Function key 21. If you don't have a working Pause key and
want to use F8 instead, use:
:map <F8> <F21>
The External Editor module dynamically reads the NetBeans key bindings so vim
should always have the latest key bindings, even when NetBeans changes them.
==============================================================================
3. Configuring Vim for NetBeans *netbeans-configure*
For more help installing vim, please read |usr_90.txt| in the Vim User Manual.
On Unix
When running configure without arguments the NetBeans interface should be
included. That is, if the configure check to find out if your system supports
the required features succeeds.
In case you do not want the NetBeans interface you can disable it by
uncommenting a line with "--disable-netbeans" in the Makefile.
Currently, only gvim is supported in this integration as NetBeans does not
have means to supply a terminal emulator for the vim command. Furthermore,
there is only GUI support for GTK, GNOME, and Motif.
If Motif support is required the user must supply XPM libraries. See
|workshop-xpm| for details on obtaining the latest version of XPM.
On MS-Windows
The Win32 support is now in beta stage.
To use XPM signs on Win32 (e.g. when using with NetBeans) you can compile
XPM by yourself or use precompiled libraries from http://iamphet.nm.ru/misc/
for MS Visual C++ or http://gnuwin32.sourceforge.net for MinGW.
==============================================================================
4. Downloading NetBeans *netbeans-download*
The NetBeans IDE is available for download from netbeans.org. You can download
a released version, download sources, or use CVS to download the current
source tree. If you choose to download sources, follow directions from
netbeans.org on building NetBeans.
Depending on the version of NetBeans you download, you may need to do further
work to get the required External Editor module. This is the module which lets
NetBeans work with gvim or xemacs :-. See http://externaleditor.netbeans.org
for details on downloading this module if your NetBeans release does not have
it.
For C, C++, and Fortran support you will also need the cpp module. See
http://cpp.netbeans.org for information regarding this module.
You can also download Sun ONE Studio from Sun Microsystems, Inc for a 30 day
free trial. See http://www.sun.com for further details.
==============================================================================
5. Preparing NetBeans for Vim *netbeans-preparation*
In order for NetBeans to work with vim, the NetBeans External Editor module
must be loaded and enabled. If you have a Sun ONE Studio Enterprise Edition
then this module should be loaded and enabled. If you have a NetBeans release
you may need to find another way of obtaining this open source module.
You can check if you have this module by opening the Tools->Options dialog
and drilling down to the "Modules" list (IDE Configuration->System->Modules).
If your Modules list has an entry for "External Editor" you must make sure
it is enabled (the "Enabled" property should have the value "True"). If your
Modules list has no External Editor see the next section on |obtaining-exted|.
==============================================================================
6. Obtaining the External Editor Module *obtaining-exted*
There are 2 ways of obtaining the External Editor module. The easiest way
is to use the NetBeans Update Center to download and install the module.
Unfortunately, some versions do not have this module in their update
center. If you cannot download via the update center you will need to
download sources and build the module. I will try and get the module
available from the NetBeans Update Center so building will be unnecessary.
Also check http://externaleditor.netbeans.org for other availability options.
To download the External Editor sources via CVS and build your own module,
see http://externaleditor.netbeans.org and http://www.netbeans.org.
Unfortunately, this is not a trivial procedure.
==============================================================================
7. Setting up NetBeans to run with Vim *netbeans-setup*
Assuming you have loaded and enabled the NetBeans External Editor module
as described in |netbeans-preparation| all you need to do is verify that
the gvim command line is properly configured for your environment.
Open the Tools->Options dialog and open the Editing category. Select the
External Editor. The right hand pane should contain a Properties tab and
an Expert tab. In the Properties tab make sure the "Editor Type" is set
to "Vim". In the Expert tab make sure the "Vim Command" is correct.
You should be careful if you change the "Vim Command". There are command
line options there which must be there for the connection to be properly
set up. You can change the command name but that's about it. If your gvim
can be found by your $PATH then the VIM Command can start with "gvim". If
you don't want gvim searched from your $PATH then hard code in the full
Unix path name. At this point you should get a gvim for any source file
you open in NetBeans.
If some files come up in gvim and others (with different file suffixes) come
up in the default NetBeans editor you should verify the MIME type in the
Expert tab MIME Type property. NetBeans is MIME oriented and the External
Editor will only open MIME types specified in this property.
==============================================================================
8. Messages *netbeans-messages*
These messages are specific for NetBeans:
*E463*
Region is guarded, cannot modify
NetBeans defines guarded areas in the text, which you cannot
change.
Also sets the current buffer, if necessary.
*E656*
NetBeans disallows writes of unmodified buffers
NetBeans does not support writes of unmodified buffers that
were opened from NetBeans.
*E657*
Partial writes disallowed for NetBeans buffers
NetBeans does not support partial writes for buffers that were
opened from NetBeans.
*E658*
NetBeans connection lost for this buffer
NetBeans has become confused about the state of this file.
Rather than risk data corruption, NetBeans has severed the
connection for this file. Vim will take over responsibility
for saving changes to this file and NetBeans will no longer
know of these changes.
*E744*
NetBeans does not allow changes in read-only files
Vim normally allows changes to a read-only file and only
enforces the read-only rule if you try to write the file.
However, NetBeans does not let you make changes to a file
which is read-only and becomes confused if vim does this.
So vim does not allow modifications to files when run with
NetBeans.
==============================================================================
9. Running Vim from NetBeans *netbeans-run*
NetBeans starts Vim with the |-nb| argument. Three forms can be used, that
differ in the way the information for the connection is specified:
-nb={fname} from a file
-nb:{hostname}:{addr}:{password} directly
-nb from a file or environment
*E660* *E668*
For security reasons, the best method is to write the information in a file
readable only by the user. The name of the file can be passed with the
"-nb={fname}" argument or, when "-nb" is used without a parameter, the
environment variable "__NETBEANS_CONINFO". The file must contain these three
lines, in any order:
host={hostname}
port={addr}
auth={password}
Other lines are ignored. The caller of Vim is responsible for deleting the
file afterwards.
{hostname} is the name of the machine where NetBeans is running. When omitted
the environment variable "__NETBEANS_HOST" is used or the default "localhost".
{addr} is the port number for NetBeans. When omitted the environment variable
"__NETBEANS_SOCKET" is used or the default 3219.
{password} is the password for connecting to NetBeans. When omitted the
environment variable "__NETBEANS_VIM_PASSWORD" is used or "changeme".
==============================================================================
10. NetBeans protocol *netbeans-protocol*
The communication between NetBeans and Vim uses plain text messages. This
protocol was first designed to work with the external editor module of
NetBeans see http://externaleditor.netbeans.org. Later it was extended to
work with Agide A-A-P GUI IDE, see http://www.a-a-p.org. The extensions are
marked with "version 2.1".
Version 2.2 of the protocol has several minor changes which should only affect
NetBeans users (ie, not Agide users). However, a bug was fixed which could
cause confusion. The netbeans_saved() function sent a "save" protocol
command. In protocol version 2.1 and earlier this was incorrectly interpreted
as a notification that a write had taken place. In reality, it told NetBeans
to save the file so multiple writes were being done. This caused various
problems and has been fixed in 2.2. To decrease the likelihood of this
confusion happening again, netbeans_saved() has been renamed to
netbeans_save_buffer().
We are now at version 2.3. For the differences between 2.2 and 2.3 search for
"2.3" below.
The messages are currently sent over a socket. Since the messages are in
plain UTF-8 text this protocol could also be used with any other communication
mechanism.
To see an example implementation look at the gvim tool in Agide. Currently
found here:
http://cvs.sf.net/viewcvs.py/a-a-p/Agide/Tools/GvimTool.py?view=markup
10.1 Kinds of messages |nb-messages|
10.2 Terms |nb-terms|
10.3 Commands |nb-commands|
10.4 Functions and Replies |nb-functions|
10.5 Events |nb-events|
10.6 Special messages |nb-special|
*E627* *E628* *E629* *E630* *E631* *E632* *E633* *E634* *E635* *E636*
*E637* *E638* *E639* *E640* *E641* *E642* *E643* *E644* *E645* *E646*
*E647* *E648* *E649* *E650* *E651* *E652* *E653* *E654*
These errors occur when a message violates the protocol.
10.1 Kinds of messages *nb-messages*
There are four kinds of messages:
kind direction comment
Command IDE -> editor no reply necessary
Function IDE -> editor editor must send back a reply
Reply editor -> IDE only in response to a Function
Event editor -> IDE no reply necessary
The messages are sent as a single line with a terminating newline character.
Arguments are separated by a single space. The first item of the message
depends on the kind of message:
kind first item example
Command bufID:name!seqno 11:showBalloon!123 "text"
Function bufID:name/seqno 11:getLength/123
Reply seqno 123 5000
Event bufID:name=123 11:keyCommand=123 "S-F2"
10.2 Terms *nb-terms*
bufID Buffer number. A message may be either for a specific buffer
or generic. Generic messages use a bufID of zero. NOTE: this
buffer ID is assigned by the IDE, it is not Vim's buffer
number. The bufID must be a sequentially rising number,
starting at one.
seqno The IDE uses a sequence number for Commands and Functions. A
Reply must use the sequence number of the Function that it is
associated with. A zero sequence number can be used for
Events (the seqno of the last received Command or Function can
also be used).
string Argument in double quotes. Text is in UTF-8 encoding. This
means ASCII is passed as-is. Special characters are
represented with a backslash:
\" double quote
\n newline
\r carriage-return
\t tab (optional, also works literally)
\\ backslash
NUL bytes are not allowed!
boolean Argument with two possible values:
T true
F false
number Argument with a decimal number.
optnum Argument with either a decimal number or "none" (without the
quotes).
offset A number argument that indicates a byte position in a buffer.
The first byte has offset zero. Line breaks are counted for
how they appear in the file (CR/LF counts for two bytes).
Note that a multi-byte character is counted for the number of
bytes it takes.
lnum/col Argument with a line number and column number position. The
line number starts with one, the column is the byte position,
starting with zero. Note that a multi-byte character counts
for several columns.
pathname String argument: file name with full path.
10.3 Commands *nb-commands*
actionMenuItem Not implemented.
actionSensitivity
Not implemented.
addAnno serNum typeNum off len
Place an annotation in this buffer.
Arguments:
serNum number serial number of this placed
annotation, used to be able to remove
it
typeNum number sequence number of the annotation
defined with defineAnnoType for this
buffer
off number offset where annotation is to be placed
len number not used
In version 2.1 "lnum/col" can be used instead of "off".
balloonResult text
Not implemented.
close Close the buffer. This leaves us without current buffer, very
dangerous to use!
create Creates a buffer without a name. Replaces the current buffer
(it's hidden when it was changed).
NetBeans uses this as the first command for a file that is
being opened. The sequence of commands could be:
create
setCaretListener (ignored)
setModified (no effect)
setContentType (ignored)
startDocumentListen
setTitle
setFullName
defineAnnoType typeNum typeName tooltip glyphFile fg bg
Define a type of annotation for this buffer.
Arguments:
typeNum number sequence number (not really used)
typeName string name that identifies this annotation
tooltip string not used
glyphFile string name of icon file
fg optnum foreground color for line highlighting
bg optnum background color for line highlighting
Vim will define a sign for the annotation.
When both "fg" and "bg" are "none" no line highlighting is
used (new in version 2.1).
When "glyphFile" is empty, no text sign is used (new in
version 2.1).
When "glyphFile" is one or two characters long, a text sign is
defined (new in version 2.1).
Note: the annotations will be defined in sequence, and the
sequence number is later used with addAnno.
editFile pathname
Set the name for the buffer and edit the file "pathname", a
string argument.
Normal way for the IDE to tell the editor to edit a file. If
the IDE is going to pass the file text to the editor use these
commands instead:
setFullName
insert
initDone
New in version 2.1.
enableBalloonEval
Not implemented.
endAtomic End an atomic operation. The changes between "startAtomic"
and "endAtomic" can be undone as one operation. But it's not
implemented yet. Redraw when necessary.
guard off len
Mark an area in the buffer as guarded. This means it cannot
be edited. "off" and "len" are numbers and specify the text
to be guarded.
initDone Mark the buffer as ready for use. Implicitly makes the buffer
the current buffer. Fires the BufReadPost autocommand event.
insertDone
Sent by NetBeans to tell vim an initial file insert is done.
This triggers a read message being printed. Prior to version
2.3, no read messages were displayed after opening a file.
New in version 2.3.
moveAnnoToFront serNum
Not implemented.
netbeansBuffer isNetbeansBuffer
If "isNetbeansBuffer" is "T" then this buffer is ``owned'' by
NetBeans.
New in version 2.2.
putBufferNumber pathname
Associate a buffer number with the Vim buffer by the name
"pathname", a string argument. To be used when the editor
reported editing another file to the IDE and the IDE needs to
tell the editor what buffer number it will use for this file.
Also marks the buffer as initialized.
New in version 2.1.
raise Bring the editor to the foreground.
New in version 2.1.
removeAnno serNum
Remove a previously place annotation for this buffer.
"serNum" is the same number used in addAnno.
save Save the buffer when it was modified. The other side of the
interface is expected to write the buffer and invoke
"setModified" to reset the "changed" flag of the buffer.
The writing is skipped when one of these conditions is true:
- 'write' is not set
- the buffer is read-only
- the buffer does not have a file name
- 'buftype' disallows writing
New in version 2.2.
saveDone
Sent by NetBeans to tell vim a save is done. This triggers
a save message being printed. Prior to version 2.3, no save
messages were displayed after a save.
New in version 2.3.
setAsUser Not implemented.
setBufferNumber pathname
Associate a buffer number with Vim buffer by the name
"pathname". To be used when the editor reported editing
another file to the IDE and the IDE needs to tell the editor
what buffer number it will use for this file.
Has the side effect of making the buffer the current buffer.
See "putBufferNumber" for a more useful command.
setContentType
Not implemented.
setDot off Make the buffer the current buffer and set the cursor at the
specified position. If the buffer is open in another window
than make that window the current window.
If there are folds they are opened to make the cursor line
visible.
In version 2.1 "lnum/col" can be used instead of "off".
setExitDelay seconds
Set the delay for exiting to "seconds", a number.
This delay is used to give the IDE a chance to handle things
before really exiting. The default delay is two seconds.
New in version 2.1.
Obsolete in version 2.3.
setFullName pathname
Set the file name to be used for a buffer to "pathname", a
string argument.
Used when the IDE wants to edit a file under control of the
IDE. This makes the buffer the current buffer, but does not
read the file. "insert" commands will be used next to set the
contents.
setLocAndSize Not implemented.
setMark Not implemented.
setModified modified
When the boolean argument "modified" is "T" mark the buffer as
modified, when it is "F" mark it as unmodified.
setModtime time
Update a buffers modification time after NetBeans saves the
file.
New in version 2.3.
setReadOnly
Passed by NetBeans to tell vim a file is readonly.
Implemented in verion 2.3.
setStyle Not implemented.
setTitle name
Set the title for the buffer to "name", a string argument.
The title is only used for NetBeans functions, not by Vim.
setVisible visible
When the boolean argument "visible" is "T", goto the buffer.
The "F" argument does nothing.
showBalloon text
Show a balloon (popup window) at the mouse pointer position,
containing "text", a string argument. The balloon should
disappear when the mouse is moved more than a few pixels.
New in version 2.1.
specialKeys
Map a set of keys (mostly function keys) to be passed back
to NetBeans for processing. This lets NetBeans hotkeys be
used from vim.
Implemented in version 2.3.
startAtomic Begin an atomic operation. The screen will not be updated
until "endAtomic" is given.
startCaretListen
Not implemented.
startDocumentListen
Mark the buffer to report changes to the IDE with the
"insert" and "remove" events. The default is to report
changes.
stopCaretListen
Not implemented.
stopDocumentListen
Mark the buffer to stop reporting changes to the IDE.
Opposite of startDocumentListen.
NOTE: if "netbeansBuffer" was used to mark this buffer as a
NetBeans buffer, then the buffer is deleted in Vim. This is
for compatibility with Sun Studio 10.
unguard off len
Opposite of "guard", remove guarding for a text area.
Also sets the current buffer, if necessary.
version Not implemented.
10.4 Functions and Replies *nb-functions*
getDot Not implemented.
getCursor Return the current buffer and cursor position.
The reply is:
seqno bufID lnum col off
seqno = sequence number of the function
bufID = buffer ID of the current buffer (if this is unknown -1
is used)
lnum = line number of the cursor (first line is one)
col = column number of the cursor (in bytes, zero based)
off = offset of the cursor in the buffer (in bytes)
New in version 2.1.
getLength Return the length of the buffer in bytes.
Reply example for a buffer with 5000 bytes:
123 5000
TODO: explain use of partial line.
getMark Not implemented.
getModified When a buffer is specified: Return zero if the buffer does not
have changes, one if it does have changes.
When no buffer is specified (buffer number zero): Return the
number of buffers with changes. When the result is zero it's
safe to tell Vim to exit.
New in version 2.1.
getText Return the contents of the buffer as a string.
Reply example for a buffer with two lines
123 "first line\nsecond line\n"
NOTE: docs indicate an offset and length argument, but this is
not implemented.
insert off text
Insert "text" before position "off". "text" is a string
argument, "off" a number.
"off" should have a "\n" (newline) at the end of each line.
Or "\r\n" when 'fileformat' is "dos". When using "insert" in
an empty buffer Vim will set 'fileformat' accordingly.
When "off" points to the start of a line the text is inserted
above this line. Thus when "off" is zero lines are inserted
before the first line.
When "off" points after the start of a line, possibly on the
NUL at the end of a line, the first line of text is appended
to this line. Further lines come below it.
Possible replies:
123 no problem
123 !message failed
Note that the message in the reply is not quoted.
Also sets the current buffer, if necessary.
Does not move the cursor to the changed text.
Resets undo information.
remove off length
Delete "length" bytes of text at position "off". Both
arguments are numbers.
Possible replies:
123 no problem
123 !message failed
Note that the message in the reply is not quoted.
Also sets the current buffer, if necessary.
saveAndExit Perform the equivalent of closing Vim: ":confirm qall".
If there are no changed files or the user does not cancel the
operation Vim exits and no result is sent back. The IDE can
consider closing the connection as a successful result.
If the user cancels the operation the number of modified
buffers that remains is returned and Vim does not exit.
New in version 2.1.
10.5 Events *nb-events*
balloonEval off len type
The mouse pointer rests on text for a short while. When "len"
is zero, there is no selection and the pointer is at position
"off". When "len" is non-zero the text from position "off" to
"off" + "len" is selected.
Only sent after "enableBalloonEval" was used for this buffer.
"type" is not yet defined.
Not implemented yet.
balloonText text
Used when 'ballooneval' is set and the mouse pointer rests on
some text for a moment. "text" is a string, the text under
the mouse pointer.
New in version 2.1.
buttonRelease button lnum col
Report which button was pressed and the location of the cursor
at the time of the release. Only for buffers that are owned
by NetBeans. This event is not sent if the button was
released while the mouse was in the status line or in a
separator line. If col is less than 1 the button release was
in the sign area.
New in version 2.2.
disconnect
Tell NetBeans that vim is exiting and not to try and read or
write more commands.
New in version 2.3.
fileClosed Not implemented.
fileModified Not implemented.
fileOpened pathname open modified
A file was opened by the user.
Arguments:
pathname string name of the file
open boolean always "T"
modified boolean always "F"
geometry cols rows x y
Report the size and position of the editor window.
Arguments:
cols number number of text columns
rows number number of text rows
x number pixel position on screen
y number pixel position on screen
Only works for Motif.
insert off text
Text "text" has been inserted in Vim at position "off".
Only fired when enabled, see "startDocumentListen".
invokeAction Not implemented.
keyCommand keyName
Reports a special key being pressed with name "keyName", which
is a string.
Supported key names:
F1 function key 1
F2 function key 2
...
F12 function key 12
'' '' space (without the quotes)
! exclamation mark
... any other ASCII printable character
~ tilde
X any unrecognized key
The key may be prepended by "C", "S" and/or "M" for Control,
Shift and Meta (Alt) modifiers. If there is a modifier a dash
is used to separate it from the key name. For example:
"C-F2".
ASCII characters are new in version 2.1.
keyAtPos keyName lnum/col
Like "keyCommand" and also report the line number and column
of the cursor.
New in version 2.1.
killed A file was closed by the user. Only for files that have been
assigned a number by the IDE.
newDotAndMark off off
Reports the position of the cursor being at "off" bytes into
the buffer. Only sent just before a "keyCommand" event.
quit Not implemented.
remove off len
Text was deleted in Vim at position "off" with byte length
"len".
Only fired when enabled, see "startDocumentListen".
revert Not implemented.
save The buffer has been saved and is now unmodified.
Only fired when enabled, see "startDocumentListen".
startupDone The editor has finished its startup work and is ready for
editing files.
New in version 2.1.
unmodified The buffer is now unmodified.
Only fired when enabled, see "startDocumentListen".
version vers Report the version of the interface implementation. Vim
reports "2.2" (including the quotes).
10.6 Special messages *nb-special*
These messages do not follow the style of the messages above. They are
terminated by a newline character.
ACCEPT Not used.
AUTH password editor -> IDE: First message that the editor sends to the IDE.
Must contain the password for the socket server, as specified
with the |-nb| argument. No quotes are used!
DISCONNECT IDE -> editor: break the connection. The editor will exit.
The IDE must only send this message when there are no unsaved
changes!
DETACH IDE -> editor: break the connection without exiting the
editor. Used when the IDE exits without bringing down the
editor as well.
New in version 2.1.
REJECT Not used.
==============================================================================
11. NetBeans Commands *netbeans-commands*
*:nbkey*
:nbkey key Pass the key to NetBeans for processing
Pass the key to NetBeans for hot-key processing. You should not need to use
this command directly. However, NetBeans passes a list of hot-keys to Vim at
startup and when one of these keys is pressed, this command is generated to
send the key press back to NetBeans.
==============================================================================
12. Known problems *netbeans-problems*
NUL bytes are not possible. For editor -> IDE they will appear as NL
characters. For IDE -> editor they cannot be inserted.
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