A custom text object for selecting ruby blocks.
Depends on vimscript #2100, which provides a framework for creating custom text objects.
Also requires that matchit.vim vimscript #39 is enabled.
When textobj-rubyblock is installed you will gain two new text objects, which are triggered by `ar` and `ir` respectively. These follow Vim convention, so that `ar` selects all of a ruby block, and `ir` selects the inner portion of a rubyblock.
In ruby, a block is always closed with the `end` keyword. Ruby blocks may be opened using one of several keywords, including `module`, `class`, `def` `if` and `do`. This example demonstrates a few of these:
module Foo class Bar def Baz [1,2,3].each do |i| i + 1 end end end end
Suppose your cursor was positioned on the word `def`. Typing `var` would enable visual mode selecting all of the method definition. Your selection would comprise the following lines (also, see screenshot: http://vimcasts.org/images/blog/rubyblock-all.png):
def Baz [1,2,3].each do |i| i + 1 end end
Whereas if you typed `vir`, you would select everything inside of the method definition, which looks like this (also, see screenshot: http://vimcasts.org/images/blog/rubyblock-inner.png):
[1,2,3].each do |i| i + 1 end
Note that the `ar` and `ir` text objects always enable visual line mode, even if you were in visual character or block mode before you triggered the rubyblock text object.
Note too that the `ar` and `ir` text objects always position your cursor on the `end` keyword. If you want to move to the top of the selection, you can do so with the `o` key.
Some text objects in Vim respond to a count. For example, the `a{` text object will select all of the current `{}` delimited block, but if you prefix it with the number 2 (e.g. `v2i{`) then it will select all of the block that contains the current block. The rubyblock text object does not respond in this way if you prefix a count. This is due to a limitation in vimscript #2100.
However, you can achieve a similar effect by repeating the rubyblock text-object manually. So if you press `var` to select the current ruby block, you can expand your selection outwards by repeating `ar`, or contract your selection inwards by repeating `ir`.
First of all, ensure that you have installed vimscript #2100, without which this plugin will not work.
Then, ensure that you have enabled the matchit.vim vimscript #39 plugin. This can be achieved by running (or placing this in your vimrc file):
:runtime macros/matchit.vim
Finally, you need to ensure that Vim is not running in vi-compatiable mode, and that filetype plugins are enabled. Placing these lines in your vimrc file will set up this configuration for you:
set nocompatible if has(“autocmd”) filetype indent plugin on endif
This plugin is distributed as a vimball, so to install it you just need to open the file with Vim and run the command:
:source %
If you prefer to manage your plugins using pathogen (vimscript #2332), then you might prefer to checkout the latest version directly from github: