[SOLVED] [.vimrc] separate color for trailing spaces symbols

marfig · 2017-07-03 18:41:50

I have set the following `listchars` in .vimrc:

set list listchars=tab:▸\ ,trail:·

On my homemade theme I have set the colors to

highlight SpecialKey     ctermfg=235     ctermbg=none     cterm=none

I understand that `tab` and `trail` share the SpecialKey highlight. But is there a way to separate the two? I'd like to emphasize the trailing spaces symbols but leave the tab symbol nearly invisible. I require the latter since I always work with `noexpandtab`.

Last edited by marfig (2017-07-03 20:01:23)

Trilby · 2017-07-03 19:03:23

Do you want to highlight all spaces, or just trailing spaces? This really has nothing to do with listchars. To highlight extra whitespace at the end of a line use:

match ExtraWhitespace /\s\+$/

I have that, and in my theme:

hi ExtraWhitespace    ctermbg=001

I also have the following which essentially prevent this extra whitespace from being highlighted while you are still typing on that line:

autocmd InsertEnter * match ExtraWhitespace /\s\+\%#\@!$/
autocmd InsertLeave * match ExtraWhitespace /\s\+$/

marfig · 2017-07-03 19:55:18

Most excellent Trilby. Thank you very much.

bulletmark · 2017-07-03 22:16:54

I use this plugin https://github.com/ntpeters/vim-better-whitespace.

Be sure to use Vundle to install and manage your vim plugins if you are not already doing so.

Last edited by bulletmark (2017-07-03 22:17:35)

Trilby · 2017-07-03 22:26:52

Er, what? Several hundred lines of code for a plugin (for which youd then want to add on a plugin manager) just to do what 4 simple lines in your vimrc would accomplish?

bulletmark · 2017-07-03 22:39:46

Trilby wrote:

Er, what? Several hundred lines of code for a plugin (for which youd then want to add on a plugin manager) just to do what 4 simple lines in your vimrc would accomplish?

Read the words I linked to. It does a little more than just highlight the trailing whitespace. Vundle is superb and I would suggest anybody interested in better management of vim plugins should be using a manager, or at least be aware of them.

Sorry for making a simple suggestion here!

marfig · 2017-07-03 23:10:50

I prefer pathogen. And that plugin does seem a bit excessive. But thanks for the suggestion anyway.
As a norm I always prefer handwriting my .vimrc/macros/etc instead of installing plugins. Point in fact, I often "steal" plugins code, adapting what bits I want into my own .vim folder. Was stumped on this matter though, until @Tribly taught me I can create my own highlight groups, which is awesome!

Arch Linux

#1 2017-07-03 18:41:50

[SOLVED] [.vimrc] separate color for trailing spaces symbols

#2 2017-07-03 19:03:23

Re: [SOLVED] [.vimrc] separate color for trailing spaces symbols

#3 2017-07-03 19:55:18

Re: [SOLVED] [.vimrc] separate color for trailing spaces symbols

#4 2017-07-03 22:16:54

Re: [SOLVED] [.vimrc] separate color for trailing spaces symbols

#5 2017-07-03 22:26:52

Re: [SOLVED] [.vimrc] separate color for trailing spaces symbols

#6 2017-07-03 22:39:46

Re: [SOLVED] [.vimrc] separate color for trailing spaces symbols

#7 2017-07-03 23:10:50

Re: [SOLVED] [.vimrc] separate color for trailing spaces symbols

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