File Format Handling and Read Messages in Vim

cursor is left on the first non-blank in the first new line. If in Ex mode, then the cursor is left on the last new line (sorry, this is Vi compatible). If a file name is given with ":r", it becomes the alternate file. This can be used, for example, when you want to edit that file instead: ":e! #". This can be switched off by removing the 'a' flag from the 'cpoptions' option. Of the [++opt] arguments one is specifically for ":read", the ++edit argument. This is useful when the ":read" command is actually used to read a file into the buffer as if editing that file. Use this command in an empty buffer: > :read ++edit filename The effect is that the 'fileformat', 'fileencoding', 'bomb', etc. options are set to what has been detected for "filename". Note that a single empty line remains, you may want to delete it. *file-read* The 'fileformat' option sets the <EOL> style for a file: 'fileformat' characters name ~ "dos" <CR><NL> or <NL> DOS format "unix" <NL> Unix format "mac" <CR> Mac format If 'fileformat' is "dos", a <CR> in front of an <NL> is ignored and a CTRL-Z at the end of the file is ignored. If 'fileformat' is "mac", a <NL> in the file is internally represented by a <CR>. This is to avoid confusion with a <NL> which is used to represent a <NUL>. See |CR-used-for-NL|. If the 'fileformats' option is not empty Vim tries to recognize the type of <EOL> (see |file-formats|). However, the 'fileformat' option will not be changed, the detected format is only used while reading the file. A similar thing happens with 'fileencodings'. On non-Win32 systems the message "[dos format]" is shown if a file is read in DOS format, to remind you that something unusual is done. On Macintosh and Win32 the message "[unix format]" is shown if a file is read in Unix format. On non-Macintosh systems, the message "[mac format]" is shown if a file is read in Mac format. An example on how to use ":r !": > :r !uuencode binfile binfile This command reads "binfile", uuencodes it and reads it into the current buffer. Useful when you are editing e-mail and want to include a binary file. *read-messages* When reading a file Vim will display a message with information about the read file. In the table is an explanation for some of the items. The others are self explanatory. Using the long or the short version depends on the 'shortmess' option. long short meaning ~ [readonly] {RO} the file is write protected [fifo/socket] using a stream [fifo] using a fifo stream [socket] using a socket stream [CR missing] reading with "dos" 'fileformat' and a NL without a preceding CR was found. [NL found] reading with "mac" 'fileformat' and a NL was found (could be "unix" format) [long lines split] at least one line was split in two [NOT converted] conversion from 'fileencoding' to 'encoding' was desired but not possible [converted] conversion from 'fileencoding' to 'encoding' done [READ ERRORS] not all of the file could be read vim:tw=78:ts=8:noet:ft=help:norl:

This section explains how Vim handles different file formats ('dos', 'unix', 'mac') and their corresponding end-of-line (EOL) styles. It describes how Vim recognizes and processes these formats, including ignoring <CR> characters in DOS format and representing <NL> characters with <CR> in Mac format. It also touches on how Vim handles file encoding and displays informative messages about the file being read, such as whether it's read-only, in DOS/Unix/Mac format, contains long lines that were split, or if any conversion errors occurred during the read process. An example of using ":r !" with uuencode is included.