Utags provides an ability to search for usage of a C/C++/Python/Perl function, a type name, a class method/member, a variable or any other word in a source code of a project. It's like a fast, convenient grep by the whole word. Search is performed from vim by a hot-key when cursor is on the word you want to find. It works quickly since utags uses a beforehand generated index.
You should copy the following files on your machine:
utags (shell script)
find_above (shell script)
findusage.vim
Copy the first two files into any your folder which is already in the $PATH, or if there is no such folder, then create one and add it to the $PATH.
The last file (findusage.vim) – is a plugin for vim, copy it into the folder $HOME/.vim/plugin/ (if this directory doesn't exist create it!).
First of all you should generate an index. It's done by the following command:
cd your_proj_path && utags -g . > .utags
It can take a while for big projects.
Further when you edit a file from the project and current folder is a project subfolder and the vim cursor is on the word you want to find in the project, press and release one by one two keys: <\> and <U> (without delay between pressing, quite quickly; letter U is in uppercase here, so press it holding Shift). If you have done everything right, vim opens a window in the top with a list of results.
A couple of other hot-keys limit the search area:
<\>,
<D>
- search only in the C/C++ headers.
<\>,
<P>
- search only in the current directory.
Letters D and P are in
upper case here too, so press them with Shift
held.
Key <\> is defined by vim configuration and can be changed, for example, on a comma by adding the following line into $HOME/.vimrc:
let mapleader = ","
You may select items from the result list using mouse double-click or using a keyboard (arrows and Enter). In order to move vim cursor in the bottom window using keyboard press <Ctrl>+<w>, <Down>, and to return to the top window: <Ctrl>+<w>, <Up>.
You also may assign hot-keys to go thru the result list faster:
map <F6> :copen<CR>
map
<F7> :cprevious<CR>
map <F8> :cnext<CR>
These lines should be added to $HOME/.vimrc
If you have any question about this tool or know how to enhance it, please email me at luinnar(at)yandex.ru
Have a fun!
