Registers in VIM

A register can be cleared with qxq (x being the name of the register). Technically, it starts recording a macro (q) into register x (x) and immediatly stop recording this macro (q).

In order to assign a value to a register in a script, the @x syntax can be used. x is the name of the register. So, the following line assigns foo bar to the register named a:

let @a = 'foo  bar'

• ":
  The unnamed register. In a script, use @ (let @@='bla'). This register is filled with d, c, s, x and y commands.
• 1 through 9:
  the numbered registers. These are filled from yank and delete commands.
• -:
  the small delete register. Filled with commands that delete less than a line. Not used if the command is explicetely used together with another register.
• a through z and A through Z:
  The named registers.
• :, ., % and #:
  the read only registers. The colon (:) contains the most recently executed command line. The dot (.) contains the last insertet text. The percent sign (%) contains the name of the file. And the hash sign containts the name of the alternate file.
• =:
  the expression register. It is a read only register as well.
• *, + and ~:
  the selection and drop registers. Selects text into the clip board (Windows).
• _:
  the black hole register. Used to, for example, delete text in no other register.
• /:
  the last search pattern register. Used in conjunction with highlighing