The word-based column text-object makes operating on columns of code conceptually simpler and reduces keystrokes.
The common task of deleting, changing, or adding to a vertical column of code can be achieved using visual-blocks, however the first step is to establish the visual block itself. This typically involves moving the cursor to the start of the block, and then using vim motions to move the cursor to the end of the block, and finally doing the appropriate operation.
With a text object for columns, establishing the visual block is much easier, and even unecessary for certain operations.
This plugin adds ic
, ac
, iC
, and aC
as text-objects. Use them in
commands like vic
, cic
, and daC
.
These mappings are customizable. To change the default mappings from c
to q
add to your vimrc (or see :help textobj-user-reference
):
let g:textobj_wordcolumn_no_default_key_mappings = 1
call textobj#user#map('wordcolumn', {
\ 'word' : {
\ 'select-i' : 'iq',
\ 'select-a' : 'aq',
\ },
\ 'WORD' : {
\ 'select-i' : 'iQ',
\ 'select-a' : 'aQ',
\ },
\ })
This plugin requires the vim-textobj-user plugin.