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Because on Linux, there is possible that file exists but is not readable by the user (I rather don't think it is feasible on Windows, but...), I seek for VimL functions to differentiate between those two states, which I could put into my _vimrc of my gVim.

Vlastimil Burián
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1 Answers1

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I tried to write these functions myself, but feel free to correct me in your own answer.

" This defines the name and path of my buffer list file
" For I am on Windows, I can use \\, i.e. escaping
" But it is not necessary and also non-portable

let BufferListFile = $HOME . "/.vim/buflist.txt"

"-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

" This function returns true if the defined file exists
" No matter if it is readable by the user
" Gotten from https://stackoverflow.com/a/23496813/1997354

function FileExists(FileName)

    return !empty(glob(a:FileName))

endfunction

"-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

" This function returns true if the defined file
" is readable by the user
" There is no reason to define the function myself
" as there already is the following built-in function

" filereadable()
Vlastimil Burián
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    So far I've never needed to make the distinction. The functions should:
    • take parameters instead of working with global variables
    • be non global, but defined in autoload plugins -- unless you always need them in your vimrc and never anywhere else
    • and BTW, return isn't a function, you don't need parentheses.
    • Forget '\\'. '/' always works with every OS.
     – Luc Hermitte Jul 05 '18 at 09:36
  • You could make your function support re-definition by banging them. Actually I wouldn't define s:BufferListFileReadable. I only define functions that overlap with builtin functions when there is a chance the end user may have a version of vim that doesn't implement that function. Also I would give a more generic name like: s:fileexists() more in sync with what it really does. – Luc Hermitte Jul 05 '18 at 14:31