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Today I realised that I often like to define sections in my code like so:

####################
# Helper Functions #
####################

But that it's tedious to do. Assuming I have a line such as this:

# Helper Functions #

What is the shortest set of vim keystrokes to wrap it in a #? Shift does not count as a keystroke in this challenge.

Test cases:

Input: "#test test test#"
Output:
################
#test test test#
################

Input: "#this is a nice block comment#"
Output:
##############################
#this is a nice block comment#
##############################

Input: "# s p a c e s must be supported a l s o#"
Output:
########################################
# s p a c e s must be supported a l s o#
########################################
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  • 3
    \$\begingroup\$ I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because "vim keystrokes" basically means running commands of an IDE, like Ctrl - C, or Ctrl - R in ST2. This is not coding in any form. \$\endgroup\$
    – Optimizer
    Commented Feb 23, 2015 at 19:37
  • 5
    \$\begingroup\$ @Optimizer Vim is a turing complete language (e.g. by using macros) with several different constructs coding and the primary method for editing is based on verbs (actions) an objects (movements). There is already a popular web page for vim golfing: www.vimgolf.com. (But I agree that this particular question is pretty boring) \$\endgroup\$
    – Hjulle
    Commented Feb 24, 2015 at 10:16
  • 2
    \$\begingroup\$ @Optimizer: is there a more suitable S.E. site the question could be moved to? Given vim's extensive scripting/macro language, some people might consider it a language in itself. \$\endgroup\$
    – shearn89
    Commented Feb 24, 2015 at 10:16
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ @Optimizer So there is a www.IntelliJgolf.com as well? :P \$\endgroup\$
    – Hjulle
    Commented Feb 24, 2015 at 10:22
  • 3
    \$\begingroup\$ Why wouldn't other IDE's be allowed as well if you can write programs in their macro system? What is it that makes it "not programming"? \$\endgroup\$
    – Hjulle
    Commented Feb 24, 2015 at 10:28

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
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11 8 7 keystrokes

YpVkr#p

Yp - duplicate current line, leaving the cursor at the lower of the two
V - enter visual line mode
k - go up and select both lines
r# - replace every selected character with #. Leaves visual mode and leaves cursor at the upper line.
p - put the yanked line (the original) on the next line.

(thanks to doorknob for reminding Y=yy)

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2
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    \$\begingroup\$ Replace yy with Y to save a character. \$\endgroup\$
    – Doorknob
    Commented Feb 23, 2015 at 12:50
  • 2
    \$\begingroup\$ Wow, that r command is powerful \$\endgroup\$
    – justhalf
    Commented Apr 27, 2016 at 1:39
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16 15 14 keystrokes

Yp
:s/./#/g
<cr>
YkP

The straight-forward approach: duplicate the line, replace all characters with #, copy the the result and paste it above.

I'm counting P and : as one keystroke each (instead of two for Shift+p or Shift+;). That being said, the question specifies to count "commands", where I'm not sure how to count the substitution.

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3
  • \$\begingroup\$ Same comment as on @rcrmn's answer: Replace yy with Y to save a character. \$\endgroup\$
    – Doorknob
    Commented Feb 23, 2015 at 12:51
  • \$\begingroup\$ I believe it's actually 14 keystrokes, as you have to hit Intro to execute the replace command \$\endgroup\$
    – ror3d
    Commented Feb 23, 2015 at 12:54
  • \$\begingroup\$ @rcrmn Oh, good catch. \$\endgroup\$
    – Martin Ender
    Commented Feb 23, 2015 at 14:36

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